The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-05-20


TO the canvass. In every part of the
Republican camp there was dsmay.
Hancock, it was predicted, would sweep
New York by 10000. In less than thirty |
days from the date of the first speech by
Mr. Conkling and General Grant the
whole situation became changed. The
Republican outlook began TO brighten in
New York, and the enthusiasm of the
party here soon extended to every quar-
ter of the Union.
GARFIELD's DUpIlClTY.
About this time wonderful change
came over the spirit of Gsriield's dream
The politician of a few weeks before
who was showeling his promises thick as
the November leaves all over the coun-
try became suddenly stricken with a
curious paralysis of the memory. The
great bargainer suddenly forgot that he
had ever made n bargain To those
who were the recipients of his pledges
his actions about this time were a cur
ious illustration of the sinuous course OF
a politician without principles, who at
the same time was endeavoring to mas
querade in the robes of n reformer. 1t
was about this time that Mr Garfield
made the horrible discovery that Mr..
Morton was great banker, and it would
never do to place q great New York
financier in control of the finances of the
government. The situation ut Mentor
appeared to gofrom bad to worse at this
time. The President-elect was in dis
tress, and finally Mr.. Conkling was in
vited to Mentor.
There has been good deal said and
written about that memorable meeting,
but the true inwardness of it is this morn
ing for the first time explained.
PLEDGES TO CoNKLING.
General Garfield opened the dialogue
with a series of interrogatories in regard
to the characters of various pe,sonages
who had been spoken of for various eff
ces. Judge Folgel's character was dis
cussed and Garfield ntimated that he
would be given Cabinet position.
The conversation then turned upon Mr..
Morton. Mr.. Conkling said he did not
purpose to ask him for any position. If,
, however, he intended to give place to
the State of New York he thought the
Treasury Department was the one tc
which the State, because of its dignity
and Importance, was entitled. Then, in
his opinion, the State was entitled to ii
because of its great services in the cam
paign. Mr.. Garfield replied that he had
been considering the name of Mr.. Nor
ton in connection with the Treasury. but
he had concluded for many reasons tha
1t would be very inconvenient for him tC
make him Secretary of the Treasury
that he had promised him either thu
headship of the syndicate or the mission
to England or France.
| Mr.. Conkling remarked, if New Yorl
t cannot have the Treasury II have only
+ one request to make--namely, that yol
, will pass New York over: ut all events
/ that you will not give us the Navy whel
n there is no navy. That department
= would probably satisfy some other State
+ and The multiplication table will explain
n why New York is left out" Late
{ Judge Folgcr was summoned to Mentor
II Garfield wanted to offer him the Attol
p ney Gencraship. Mr.. Folger immC
. diatcly answered that he could not thin
=. of accepting the Attorney Generalshi
# or of resigning his position on the Ne'
g York Supreme Bench to take any plac
less than that of the Treasury Depar
mcnt. He cmphatically declined tn
Attorney Generalship.
II A few days before the inauguratio
IS he telegraphcd to Mr.. Morton, offern
! him the post of Secretary of the Navy
II In the abserce of the friends with whol
II he could consult Mr.. Morton who's
le name had been mentioned for all maj
}, ner of place;-the Treasury, the Englis
III Mission, the Mission to France n,
d wishing to make himself ridiculous if |
were not named at all, accepted it in
ie moment of hesitation. This led to
III good deal of excitement among the sta
VI wart branch of the party. Mr.. MortC
Vi became so annoyed that he emphatical
+ Withdrew his acceptance, and so the t
T. nous Cabinet was all broken up agai
le At the eleventh hour it was patched ,
Il, and thrown together in the marvello
"a shape in which we see it, sent to Il
T. Senate and confirmed.
y TIE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE.
sh During all the time Senator Conklil
lis expressed a sincere desire to Mr. Gi
ia field and his friends to make the admi
RI iStration success, Offering to do ever
k. thing in his power to aid him. O
al night a New York Congressman car
1n to Mr.. Conkling with message tn
n. the President was anxious to see hi
| nj, nj oHn
al administration. Mr.. COnkling wei
"a The New York appointments were me
he toned by President Garfield, who
that time intimated that he would like
give Judge Robertson an office \
=, Conkling opposed this latter idea a
u, the President said he wished Senat
ca Conkling would consult Mr.. Arthur \
nc Platt, Governor Cornell and other pror
70 nent gentleman belonging to the pan
No and draw up some plan which wol
ny enable him to dispose of the whole IN
~ ter with the least injury to the pub
re- service, and ut the same time with
'''f much satisfaction as possible to the g
",l tlemcn interested.
SIT Mr. Conkling then asked if n
'rV changes were to be made ut the y
80 York Custom House. The President
III III piled not at present, and when he did
as as would see him (Conkling) and cons
-he with him about them. Three days la
Lhe the nomination of Judge Robe
~ son was sent to the Senate, Since IL
,l1 there has been frequent consultations
Iu' tween Senator Plat, Vice Presid
n.y. Arthur and Garfield, but the latter
'oII refused to withdraw the nomination.
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