New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-20
A LEADER IN FINANrF


loans who had beon carried away BY PendletOnisn grew
ashamed Of their folly.
A LEADER IN FINANCE.
In the XLth Congress General Garfield was mt bacx
upon the Military Committee and made its chairman
In 1865 he was renomnated without opposition and
chosen fourth time TO represent his district on tho
organization OF the XLIst Congress- in December 1863
General Garfield made chairman OF the Committee
on Banking and Currency. The imitation movement was
rapidly gathering the country and men OF both
parties In Congress swept Il by fear OF their
constituents. cry up that times were getting
hard because there was not money enough to do tie
business of the people The West particularly caiuo
ior more currency. General Garfield led the opposition
10 imitation Finally, after long hyht ia his committee
with the men who wanted throw out a Hood OF new
greenbacks lac brought in and carried through Congress
bill allowing an addition OF to the national
bank circulation, and giving preference in the assign
ment of the issue the siSes which had less than
theIr quota OF the old crculatOns This measure was
stunning blow 70 the imitation movement The new ssus
was not al taken up for four years and during all THAI
time it was sufficient 70 al demands FOR mora
money to call attention the fact that there was CIR
rency waiting 81 tho Treasury for any one who yoaa
organize bank soon after the S54O0O 600 was ap-
Piled for national banking made perfectly free TIA
New-Hork gold panic came during General Garnelds
Craftsmanship OF the Banking Committee Under orders
OF the House. he conducted with great sa.acty ana
1horonghness an Investigation which exposed a.! lhe
secrets OF the gold gamblers plot which eliminated in
a n.
plete history OF the affair." and the lesson he drew from
1t was that the only certain remedy against the
recurrence OF such transactions was To la
found I'M the resumption o. specie payraon.A
he became the recognized leader the honcstuouey
party in the House and the potent gle factor IN
The opposition TO imitation. He helped work up the I'm
TO strengthen the public credit which failed IL ~
through during the closing days OF Johnsons Admins
traiion, but was passed Grant came in and
was the rst measure which the new Presidents mt nm,
signature. This bin committed Congress fv a IA.
payment OF the public debt in CON- was the fortre~,
around which the financial battle ragged in subseaeut
years.
In December 1871 General Garleld was placed n the
head of the important Committee Appropriation
position which made him the leader OF the majority s
Of the House With his OLD habit doing everyt Ia
undertook With the utmost thoroughness, made IN
ooIous study Of the whole history appropriation bin,
IN this country and OF the English budget ,,st.ya
lie found great deal Of lOOseness and confusion IN TIA
practice concerning estimates and appropriations In
expended balances were lying in the Treasury amount
ing TO $l3ooooooo. beyond the supervision OF Conres,
and subject to the drafts of Government officers rs
were besides what were called permanent apfr,rrf.
lions which ran from year year without any les
latiOn. Garfield instituted a sweeping reform I %.
laws passed covering all Old balances back into she
treasury, making all appropriations expire AZ The
end OF the fiscal year for which made, unless needed
TO carry ont contracts and covering I'm all appropriations
al the end of every second year At the same time he
required the Executive Departments 10 itemize theif
ol money needed "a the Government
much more fully than had been done before so that Con.
could know just every dollar il voted was "a
be expended The four years Of his chairmanship Of
Appropriations were years OF close and uuremit;.ns
labor He worked hSbitually fifteen hours a day. In
addition to the demands OF his own department OF ~
ation, lac took part ia AL general work o. The House
bore leading part in an debates involving IA,
principles Of the Republican party, fought without
cessation brave battle against imitation and repGdi
on and omitted no opportunity 20 aid in educating ths
public mind 10 comprehension OF the Importance ot
returning TO specie payments.
Fave times had General Garfield been chosen 10 repro
sent the old Giddngs district without serious opposition
IN his own party, and without breath OF suspicion DO
ing cast upon his personal integrity With one exception
all his nominations had been made by reclamation In
his sixth canvass, however a storm OF calumny broke
upon him, concerted attack made upon him for
the purpose il possible of defeating IN the Conven
ton, and failing IN that 10 beat aim the polls lie
was charged with bribery aud corruption
and the De GOlyer pavement contract
and with responsibility for the Salary Grab
His people, however resented the SANDERS aad in tho
Convention he nominated by majority OF three 10
one The opposition to him did not bring forward can
ddate but merely cast blank votes His thea
nominated second Republican candidate. GeDeral
Garfield met The charges against him before jury OF
his constituents. lie visited All parts OF the distract
speaking day and night at township mees
ngs. The verdict Of the election was q
complete vindicaton OF his character and actions
and in 1876 and 1878 his constituents by
reclamation and elected him By increased majorites
HEADING THE MINORITY.
The result OF the elections OF 1874 was 70 give thu
Democrats control of the House which December
1873. Hitherto the Legislative work Of General
Garfield had been constructive. Now lie
ded upon 70 defend this work against the assaults a
The party which step by step had opposed is
Pshment, and which by the aid Of the support Of
The late rebel element had gained power in Congress
one of the trst movements Of the Democrats foz
universal amnesty. Mr.. Blaine offered amendment
70 their bin, excluding Jeferson Davis Then followed
the famous debate about the treatment Of prisoners Of
war, opened by Blaiae's dashng ATTACK Hi,
anued by Hills reply charging that ConfedeTates bad
been starved In Nortarn prisons aud closing with Gar
aed's response I'm. Garfield, by brilliant stroke Of
parliamentary strategy, forced Democrat 10 Hastily 70
the fsisy of Hlls charge. He said that the Enia "
" district where located during the the princi
pal prison for captured rebels represented In hs
House by Democrat Die did know hizD. bat ne
willing rest HE wholly his testimony. be
called upon the member from Elinira 10 inform rAe
had