The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-05-19
CONKLINGG GARFIELD.
The Inside History Of the Last PTGSi-
Dental Campaign,
GARFIELD'S CHICKERING'S, PROM.
ISES, PLEDGES AND
TREACHERY.
How Garfield Worked and ManeuVored
at Political Bargains.

The New York Herald exposure Of the inside
history of the last Presidential campaign is one
of the most interesting political histories that has
been printed in this country for many year,
That 1t was inspired and the facts furnished by
Senator COnkling and his friends there can be no
doubt II presents terrible array OF charges Of
broken pledges, dissimulation and dupllcity
against President Garfield, to which 20 far there
has been no satisfactory response, except semi
official statement that every thing can be ex'
planned.
The "SpOlls" Conference at the Fifth Avenue,
The first subject treated is the memorable
spols conference at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in
New York, soon after the nomination, when the
ConBling Grant leaders were "sulking in their
tents" when Blaine was working with despera.
ton to save Maine, and the Republican party
was on the verge Of despair, many Of it's leaders
conceding they were already beaten. We take
up the Here Id narrative at this point.
General Garfield In sort of despair suggested
q conference in the city Of New York Of the lead
ing men OF the party from all sections Of the
country.
The object of that memorable Fifth Avenue
conference was to devise ways and means by
which a few rays OF sunshine and spirit might
be thrown into the campaign. 1t was then felt
that New York was the pivotal State in the battles
that defeat mere meant defeat all along the line,
Mr. Conkling was invited TO attend this confer
ence. He absolutely declined to go because there
was excellent reason to believe that at this con.
ference sort Of plan Of division OF the spoils
all over the country was to be considered and de
vIsed in the presence Of the assembled wisdom
and leadership Of the party. The situation was
fully considered, the dangers freely submit'ed
and the methods 10 improve the outlook thor
oughly discussed.
Among the plans for improving the situation
was one suggested by General Garfield himself,
1t recommended that Mr.. Levi P. Morton, Of New
York, should be warmly enlisted in a financial
way; that he should act as chairman Of the
Finance Committee, subscribe literally himself,
Of course, and collect as much money as possible
to defray the expenses OF the electors. COM
mittee was appointed to wait on Mr.. Morton and
inform him Of the great honor 1t had been pro
posed to thrust upon him. Mr.. Morton as pro-
foundly grateful, but at the same time begged to
be excused, the responsibility was too great, his
time and business engagements Of too much i'm.
portance to him to permit him to accept. In
some mysterious way, however, Mr.. Morton and
General Garfield were brought together snd an.
other conference held, at which there were pres
ent, besides the two gentlemen indicated, several
prominent members Of the Republican party,
who, II 1t shall become necessary, will be quoted
in proof Of the accuracy Of my account OF what
TO place. As an inducement to Mr.. Morton to
undertake the labor Of raising money for the
campaign General Garfield then and there offered
him In the event Of his election his cnoice Of one
Of four places as follows:
First-The secretaryship OF the Treasury.
second-The leadership Of the new syndisate
then contemplated for refunding the debt.
Third-The English mission, or
FOurth-The French mission, II he preferred
This offer was made to Mr. Morton in Language
80 clear and unmistakable that there could be no
doubt ag to Its meaning. The next question con-
sidered was the distribution OF the patronage OF
New York. and the promise was given by General
Garfield in an equally clear and emphatic way
that in the event Of his election the wishes OF the
State organization on all appointments should be
fully consulted and that their advice and rec
concentrations should govern him IN all that he
did. That there may be no mistake about what
Is meant by the State organization, let me say
that 1t was understood to mean, primarily, the
two United States Senators and the StateCommit
tee. memorandum of these agreements was
made at the time and other memoranda in the
shape OF the reCOllectlOns by those who were
present Of what was said and done. l am pre-
pared to produce II 1t shall be fourd necessary to
do so to substantiate the accuracy Of my state
ments.
Contrast Between Hancock and Garfield.
These bargainings by Garfield to secure the sup.
port Of the stalwarts the Herald we'll says was 70
hiDh crime and misdemeanor against the law Of
political honesty and morality" And the con-
trast drawn between the action Of Garfield and
Hancock deserves 10 be we'll considered We
quote
By way Of contrast let me point to another po'
ltiCal conference that was held in the city Of
New York about the same tlme-in fact, do not
know but that the two we're almost coincldent.
Unlike General Garfield. his competitor, General
Hancock, was not so crazed on the subject Of the
Presidency that he was willing 10 put his honor
In pawn to secure 1t. Some Of the Democratic
politicians and leaders who were striving to elect
him were restless and uneasy over his reticence
In regard to the future. His election was almost
certain, and with spirit for thrift for which the
leaders OF that party have always been distin'
guished they thought It time TO put mortgage
upon his administration.
And so they came to him to consult with him
and bind him up in regard to the Treasury and
the State Depar ment and the Postofice, the col.
lectoIRhips and the foreign consulates, Instead
OF offering to auction them of at 30 much in
consideration Of money for the campaign fund,
General HANCOCK replleui SUBSTANTIALLY NO,
gentlemen; cannot do what you ask, l cannot
pledge myself to you. have been nominated
for the highest Office in the gift Of the country
and II am elected must go into 1t free and un'
uammelled. l can make no pledges" Mr.. Gar
field was not only wlllingto make pledges, but he
was willing to barter away everything In his gift
provided he could only win 1t should not be
forgo ten that while the Mentor statesman was
thus bargaining with every politician who he
thought could intuence.a vote or give him dol
lar with which to buy one he was In the pause Of
the political intrigue delivering that wonderful
series OF moral and political plattudes which
were the delight Of the Sunday schools In all Sec
tlons Of the country. While thrO 'gh friend he
was urging Star Route Brady to come down and
help along the good fight he was masquerading as
refOrmer and q Christian statesman on the
nnrnh Of the Mentor homestead. To use o slanK