Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-05-20
NUMBER AZ.
The President and Senator c,lklil:

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The New York Herald has become thor
ough-going Conkling organ and daily pours
upon the President whom it calls 'Blainc's
Presdent"-columns Of abuse. The other
day it published . many -columned letter
from Washington, purpOrting to minutely
detail what is called 'the inside history of
the last Presidential campaign" which is
said to be reasonably accurate report of
Senator Conklings two hours speech in the
recent caucus. Many of its statements must
have come from Conkling, for they profess
to report conversations at which only he and
General Garfield were present they de-
scribe the Senator's manner, as well Us his
words, on these occasions, put ip his smiles
at the right place, and mention the important
fact, not before published, that he declined
General Garfeld's invitation to take tea with
the family at Mentor, preferring 10 make his
visit strictly one of business, and 10 accept
no hospitalities. There is long story of
alleged promises given in return for pledges
OF support in his canvass and their repudia-
ton. Then there is an account of several
conferences with Conkling after the election,
and one since the Inauguration. in which the
Senator was given to understand that his all
vice was desired, and assurances were given
him in regard to appointments which were
almost Immediately disregarded.
In reply to this screed Mr.. Thomas NJ.
Nichol, one of the Presidents confidential
secretaries during the campaign, writes a
letter to the Tribune, which contains some
interesting points. After pointing out the
evident fact that the Herald article was in
spired by Senator Conkling, and drew its
statements of facts from him, Mr.. Nichol
goes on to say:
The article directly charges General Gar
field with being profuse of promises during
the campaign and even of going TO New
York in August on purpose 10 make prom
ises. During large part of the campaign,
| had general charge of General Gartelds
correspondence. My general directions were
to make no promises to any one. If General
Garfields personal conduct was consistent
with these instructions, no promises or
:
ment that he desired to treat all Republicans
fairly. As to the trip to New York | wish
to be somewhat particular. The Herald cor
respondent says, after describing the doleful
prospects of the Republican party at the
time, General Garfield, in sort of despair,
suggested conference in the city of New
FORK, of the leading men of the party from
all sections of the country" This statement
is sandwichcd between two paragraphs set
ting forth the desperate straits OF the Repub
lican cause at the time. And why was the
peril? Because, us this article admits, it
was not known whether Conkling and his
friends would support the Republican ticket.
Now, the facts are, that the only man there
ever were serious doubts about was Senator
COnklng, and it was his friends and not
General Garfelds, who suggested the New
York conference, and who pressed General
Garfield to consent to it and attend it. First
they urged him to attend the meeting of the
National Committee in July, which he de-
clined to do, the desire of Conkling's friends
being to have him meet MIR. Conkling. AT
ter the National Committee was organized,
MIR. Conkling's friends still did not know
whether he was gong to take part in the cam
paign, and heartily support the ticket, or
not. So they suggested the August confer
ence, and insisted on General Gariield's at
tendance, while many others were opposed
to the conference, or, if it was neld, were op-
posed to General Garfied's attendance.
went to New York at Gen Garfeld's re-
quest to See what the situation was that de-
manded his presence before he would decide
whether to attend or not, the letters and
kilograms that reached him on both sides of
the case being generally vague and unsatis-
factory. | was told by Senator Dorsey, sec
retary of tho National Committee, that they
didn't know what Mr.. ConklIng WAS going
to do i'll the campaign. and that they wanted
a meeting between him and Gen. Garfield
which they hoped would be satisfactory to
Conkling, and at least would settle the ques-
tion as to his course. Mr.. Dorsey did not
seek TO disguise the fact that he thought
Conkling wanted some sort of conditions or
assurances before he would actively support
the ticket. He desired me TO urge Garfield
to come, and said that he didnot think Conk-
ling would demand pledges but he
thought he wanted to talk with Garfield On a
general policy, and wanted to have him
where he could ''look him in the eyes" |
asked Mr.. Dorsey TO send for General Anson
q. McCook, and state the same facts to him,
saying that if he would unite with me |
would urge Gen. Garfield to attend the con-
ference General McCook was sent for. He
came, and Senator Dorsey again stated the
McCook told him that it meant that Mr..
Conkling was contemplating treachcry that
to either impose conditions before he sup
ported the ticket or to skulk, dp nothing,
was simply treachery. Mr.. Dorsey said,
You may call it whatever You please,
have stated the facts" The matter was dis
cussed at considerable length, and the final
result was that agreed to return to Mentor
the next day and report in favor of holding
the conference and of Gen. Gartield's attend
ing, not TO make pledges or conditions with
Mr.. Conkling, but to thwart his treachery
That was the purpose for which Gen. Gar
field attended the August conference. How
well he succeeded is known TO the country.
Now the temptation is strong TO indulge in
some comment. The subject is suggestive;
but will indulge in only one. Suppose all
that is said about Gen. Garlield's promises
and pledges to be true it only proves that
Conkling and his followers were not willing
to support Republican ticket as loyal, hon
est Republicans should, but only on cond-
tions-only for the honors and profits, the
loaves and fishes This is the self-confessed,
disgracefnl story Matched ont and told now
after eight months of incubation.