Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-05-25

in danger unless Presidential behest
are promptly complied with by tn
United States Senate, 1t has bee
pointed out that Mr.. Conkling is en-
deavoring to arrogate TO himself th
iunotions Of the Executive and max
the President the mere register of hi
will. Now, what are the factsY Th
time has come to draw aside at least
portion Of the veil, and in a genera
way to let one or two rays of light il
upon the Executive mysteries AM
Vaccinations OF the last couple o
months. And first OF all let me sa,
that Senator Conkling has not askct
the present administration, either be
fore the election or since, for singl,
appointment. Ho has not been par
ty to any bargain or plan for the dis
tribution of public plumber, and all tina
the Presidential organs have said, ar,
saying or may say in the future to th,
contrary is untrue. President Garfield
has from time to time sent for Senator
Conkling and asked his advice,
BEFORE THE ELECTION.
He has invited suggestions from him
and obtained them but, as | shall
show before | close this letter, the
President has invariably pursued O
policy diametrically opposite to that
recommended to him. In this respect
let me make a briei presentation oil
some general facts which | may posi-.
bly, follow up in more precise and
particular way in the future commu.
nication. To take things in the order
Of their occurrence, let me 20 back to
the period before the election in No.
vember last. Before the great battle
came off there were days and weeks and
almost months of gloom and uncer.
tainty,when theintimate friends OF Gen.
Garfield among the leaders of the Re.
publican party were on the very verge
Of despair concerning the success of
the contest. Many of them conceded
that they were beaten. 1t was difficult
to get money. In every section of the
country there was a feeling of apathy
and Indifference as TO the result that il
was almost impossible to shake off.
The clouds on the Republican horizon
were black with portents of evil The
gentlemen who had supported General
Grant at Chicago seemed to take no
interest in the campaign. 1t lacked
management, direction, courage In
fact, there was not a single element of
success in it. The "Premier" was up
in Maine, making a desperate effort to
carry his State, which was to bo the
omen of victory to the rest of the
country. The Republican organs were
making almost superhuman efforts to
keep their courage up. Inspired by
Mr.. Blaine, they kept up promising
their friends what they were pleased
to call ian old fashioned Republican
victory" but those who were accurate.
Iy informed on the political situation
in that State knew that Mr.. Blaine
was fighting for life and that he was
on the very verge of defeat In this
gloomy condition of affairs General
Garfield, in sort Of despair, suggest
ed a conference in the city of New
York of the leading men of the party
from all sections Of the country.
THE "sPoILs" CONFERENCE.
The object Of that memorable Fifth
avenue conference was TO devise ways
and means by which q few rays of sun.
shine and little spirit might be
thrown into the campaign. 1t was
then felt that New York was the piv.
otal State in the battle that defeat
here meant defeat all along the line.
The Importance, nay, the absolute
necessity, OF securing the support and
advocacy Of Senator Conkling and
General Grant was univcrsely recog-
nized. Whether rightly or wrongly,
it was supposed that Senator Conk-
ling like Achilles, was sulking in his
tent, and that if be could not be Undue.
ed to enter into the battle defeat and
disaster were inevitable. In this pos
ture Of affairs Mr.. Conkling was invit-
ed to attend this conference. lie alb.
solutely declined to go, not for the sup.
posed reason that he was acting the
Achilles role, but because there was
excellent reason TO believe that at this
conference sort of plan of divis.
ion of the spoils all over the country
was to be considered and devised in
the presence of the assembled wisdom
and leadership of the party. As the
journals of the day recorded, the con.
ference was held, but without the
presence Of Mr.. Conklng. The stu.
alton was fully considered, the dan.
gers freely admitted and the methods
to improve the outlook thoroughly dis.
cussed.
ASSORTED BAIT FOR MORTON.
Among the plans for improving the
situation was one suggested by Ger.
himself It recommended that
Mr.. Levi p. Morton, of New York,
should be warmly enlisted in financial
way; that he should act as Chair man |
Of tho Finance Committee, subscribe
literally himself of course, and collect
rs much money as possible to defray
the expenses OF tho electors. A Com
mittec was appointed to wait on Mr. |
Morton and inform him of the great
honor it had been proposed to thrust
upon him. Mr. Morton was profound.
y grateful, but at the same time beg
yed to be excused; the responsibility
was too great, his time aud business
of too much Importance
10 him to permit him to accept. In
iomc mysterious way, however, Mr..
Morton and General Garfield were
brought together and another confer.
,nce held, at which there were pres.
mt besides the two gentlemen indica.
ed several prominent members OF the
party, who, il it shall be.
'ome necessary, will be quoted in proof
II the accuracy of my account of what
ook place. As an inducement to Mr..
Morton to undertake the labor of rails.
ng money for the campaign General
fairfield then and there offered him in
ho event Of his election his choice Of
nc Of four places as follows:
First--Thc Secretaryship Of the
Treasury.
Second-Thc headship of the new
indicate then contemplated for re-
unding the debt.
Tbird-Tho English mission, or
Fourth-'rhe French mission, If he
referred that.
GARFIELD PLEDGES ALL ROUND.
This offer was made to Mr.. Morton
n language so clear and unmistakable
hat there could be no doubt as to its