Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-21
Grant and Garfield.

New YORK, June 20.-A reporter of the
Times last evening saw ex-President Grant In
his apartments at the Fifth avenue hotel and
asked him whether, while in Mexico, he re-
ceived letter from President Garfield in re-
Iation to The rupture between Conkling and
Platt and the administration. Gen. Grant said
he did receive President Garfeld's letter in
reply to one sent by him to the
President, in which he gave
such expression of his views upon
the position of Conkling and Platt toward the
administration as he now maintaias. His
opinion on that matter has undergone no
change. He was on steamer about TO leave
the harbor of Vera Cruz when the postmaster
of that city boarded the vessel and handed him
the Presidents letter. This letter, he said,
was in his desk in his office down town. His
time has been so much occupied since
his arrival in this city he had not had an op-
portunity to write a reply to it, as 1t certainly
required acknowledgment 1t was certainly
most polite and friendly letter. He said he
intends to reply to it at length as it deserved
to be treated. The general pointed to pen, ink
and paper on the table in the center OF the
room, and said he had already begun his an-
swer to the President.
When asked whether he was willing 20 give
the Presidents letter for publication, he said
he did not feel that it would be proper thing
for him to do AS his attention was called to
that part of Washington dlspatch which
read that the President would decline the two
letters for publication unless the consent
of Genral Grant was obtained,
he said: "The President has my free
and full permission to publish them" adding:
tMy letter to him was not marked confidential,
and he is at perfect liberty to give it to the
press"
themselves, and that nothing further was
necessary to be said upon that point.
He thought when the charge was publicly
made that he was inconsistent in the manner
Of what is now called Senatorial courtesy, 1t
was time for him to say something on that
subject. The statement had been paraded in
some of the papers that he did not recognize
such things as Senatorial courtesy at the time
the appointment of VIM. 7. Simmons as
was agitated That, said the general, was
unsupported by the facts. Charles Sumner
and Geo. Boutwell, were the Senators from
Massachusetts, at that time. During his first
term as President, Mr.. Boutwell, was secretary
of the treasury. He had long known and ad-
mired Boutwell, and when that gentleman be-
came one of the cabinet officers the strong
friendship which had existed was more closely
cemented and positive affection for each other
was engendered. He had the greatest
respect for BoutwelPs opinion. He knew him
to be man of marked ability.
From the first, continued the general, Sum-
ner saw fit not only to harshly criticise the
conduct of the administration, but at times
acted as though he wished to ignore the Pres
ident altogether. At no time did Sumner con-
suit him on any subject, make suggestion
to him, or enter a protest about anything.
The Senator from Massachusetts, put himself
outside the pale of respect from the admins
tration by his treatment of it. He never per-
sonally urged appointment or rejection OF
any man, but contented himself with whole.
sale abuse of the President.
During the generals second term Boutwell,
was a Senator from Massachusetts,. Simmons
was urged for the collectorship of the port OF
Boston, and Sumner at once opened his bat
teries upon him. A powerful influence
was brought to bear to bring about
the appointment and confirmation of Sim
mons. Unnumbered petitions in his favor
were sent to the President from some of tht
best business men and others of Massachu
setts, but there was an element at work thai
sought his overthrow because he (Simmo ns)
Republican, as it were, was candidate for
an office that had been held by such men al
Governor Lincoln and other men of prout
ancestry.
Gen. Butler, who at that time said the gen
eral was true and tried Republican, strongl.
urged the appointment of Simmons. Some o