Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-11-12
MACvEAGH AND BLAINE.
The Inside History Of the Trouble Ove,
Chambers Nomination.

The Inside History Of the Trouble Over
Chambers Nomination.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-"There is cur
lous complication" said well-informed
ex-politician, "about the MacVeagh-
Blaine imbroglio in the cabinet, COM
mencing with the appointment of W. E..
Chandler as solicitor general. That
thing, as you may not know, was arranged
between Garfield and Blaine even before
MacVeagh was selected for the cabinet.
The object was to have Chandler where
he could look after the Grant and Conk-
ling people and checkmate any scheme
they might have. It was not precisely
what Chandler wished, but he consented
"MacVeagh first heard of Chambers
appointment on his arrival in Washing
ton one morning from Philadelphia, and
his spirit rose to the highest pitch. Driv-
ing directly to the white house, he de-
manded of Garfield what it meant. No
man was ever in more belligerent frame
of mind than MacVeagh was then. Gar
field was not prepared for such an exhi-
bition, and was not successful in his at
tempt to mollify the attorney general, who,
unwashed and with satchel in hand, was
the most earnest individual the president
had seen. He did not stop to mince
things, and, telling Garfield what he
thought would become of his admins
tration with such goings on, informed
the president he could have his resigna-
ton then and there; but he would make
things hot whichever way he decided
"sOld boy said Garfield, slet us sit
down and talk about it. This, you know,
was Gar6eld's way. Probably there are
hundreds of persons who feel pride in
having been famlliarly slapped on the
shoulder and called my old boy by Gar
field. 1t generally went a great way, but
not with MacVeagh. He was in no such
humor. Evincing disrespect for that sort
of thing, he asked Garfield what he was
going to do about it, as he was ready to
take the return train if that was his will.
cit ended in an understanding that
Mac Veagh should stay and fight Chand-
ler If he could prevent his confrma-
ton it would be all right, Garfield agree
ing nothing should be done to put Chan
dler through. The fight should be be-
tween MacVeagh and Chandler.
"Afterward Garfield explained that
this course was the alternative for with
drawing Chambers name outright, which
course would have made things disagree
able. AS MacVeagh relishes fight,
especially if it be, or seems to be, with
the president of the United States, the
secretary of state, or some other high
parsonage, he was satisfied. Everybody
knows how it came out, Chandler was
beaten by one vote-DOn Cameron's; q
wheel within wheel not necessary to
explain now.
Precisely how much Garfield cared
for Chandler is not known. Blaine's
conduct was inexplicable. When Chan
dler consented to accept the sohcitorship
he was assured he need not trouble him
self about his confirmation, that would
be taken care Of But Garfield
contracted with MacVeagh to
keep his hands off, and Blaine
never lifted finger for Chandler, whose
confirmation might at any moment have
been secured had Blaine chosen to say
the word. / am not good authority as to
Chandler's feelings now; but some of his
New England friends are not enthusiastic
for Blaine. In fact, the seed for great
deal of hard feeling was sown, and it is
SdIu W udVC spIOuIcu duu W plOuiloO VIZ
erous growth.
Gas quarrels are said frequently to
make fast friendships, so it became with
Garfield and MacVeagh. 1t was not long
after this that the attorney general began
to crowd the secretary of state hard at the
white house. As between Garfield and
MacVeagh, the latter was by far the
stronger willed and dominated the presi-
dent Between Garfield and Blaine the
feeling was at times such as bodies dis
ruption, although on the surface there
was not much evidence of it. MacVeagh
increasingly played the Iago-a part for
which he possesses physical and mental
qualifications-and with much premise of
success till the tragedy of July g"
Cam paign Work in the Eeac York Post
s.t off