Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-21
The Garfield COnkling Compromise

The Garfield COnklinc COmprOmise
NEW YORK TO GET THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
JUDGE FoLGER THE MAN-wHY MORTON WAS
RULED OUT.
1t seems to be conceded that the result OF the
Mentor conference between Gen. Garfield and
Senator Conkling was that the latter carried
his point Of securing the Treasury Secretary
ship In Garfields cabinet for the state of New
York. The current opinion has also been that
Mr.. Conkling's special candidate, Mr.. L. P.
Morton, had been decided upon for the place.
II Is stated M now, hoWsvef on what IS considered
roger, OF New York, Is the man agreed upon,
NOR over, that he has accepted the place.
G, ntleman who processes to know OF the details
OF The matter says, that before COnkling visited
Gen. CARRIED correspondence had been carried
Oh between Gen. Garfield and second party
Which Gu mlna' ed In letter
INVITING CONKLING TO MENTOR.
The President-elecJ had been informed that
unless such visit contemplated the discussion
of the merits OF a New York candidate for the
make IL, as the New York senator would listen
TO no proposition involving the claims of New
York TO Cabinet representation In any direc-
tionS than the Treasury. When therefore
Senator Conking made up his mind to 60 to
Mentor, 1t was really fixed In advance that
SENATOR ALLISON WAS TO BE THROWN OVER
BOARD,
the east was to have the Treasury, and New
York was to furnish the man. This much
having been conceded In advance OF the
Garfield CODkling conference, the pathway
was cleared to enter forthwith into the merits
or The candidate Senator COnkling aid urge
Lew +. Morton. Gen. Garfield made no oblec-
ton TO Mr. Morton personally. He assured
accept any other place save two in his
Cabinet-the Treasury and State depart
ments-he could nave whatever he might
select. He could not have the State portfolio,
OGcdnSP In nj fn5
by senator Blaine; and he was not disposed 70
give him the Treasury because he was OF the
opinion that Mr.. Morton, under the statutes OF
the United States, was
INELIGIBLE TO HOLD THE OFFICE
Morton is the president of New York Ma
tional bank, and Is In other ways Interested In
financial matters, which, to say the least,
would raise the question and very seriously with
the public as to his eligibility under the law
Which precludeS the Secretary OF the Treasury
from engaging In any business or being 1nter-
ested Ia commerce either tn direct or fduclary
capacity. Senator Conkling urged the point
that Morton could dtvest himself OF his bust.
ness. andthus remove all legal barriers. Gen.
Garfield thought not, and even II he (Morton}
did withdraw from business In absolute good
faith, he made the point that at this late day
II would not satisfy the public On that score.
the PresiGent-elect recalled the fact that when
A. T. STEWART WAS NOMINATED
for tie Treasury by Gen. Grant that he offered
TO make him eligible under the law. The public
clamor against this procedure, however, was so
great that his nomination was recalled
Further, Gen. Garfield made the point that II
he nominated Morton for the Treasury, he felt
impressed that the Senate would raise the
question OF his eligibility. and 1t might ubiect
both himself and Morton to the embarrassment
In the end OF having to withdraw the name.
Gen; Garfield said to Senator Conkllng that
while he had UP to very recent period con-
templated selecting western man for the
Treasury department. he was now convinced
that the claims OF the great state of New York
were entitled to consideration for this Office
ard he had made up his mind If a candidate
could be selected who would be acceptable to
the republicans OF that state to nominate him.
Senator Conkling told Gen. GARFIELD that he
had come to Mentor not so much to urge the
claims OF particular candidate for the Treas
ury department as the claims of the great en-
pi1e state. He urged that New York was really
the center and support or the
FINANCIAL POLICY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY:
he had reason to believe that the policy hereto
fore pursued would be the policy OF the admin
istration.
Then followed long discussion touching the
merits OF Judge Charles j. Folger. S,uat II
Conkiing made no objection TO him; he sDlKe OF
him as an upright Judge, a good repu llc IN,
and ole who would give general satisfaction 10
the republicans OF New YORK. The point WAS
made by Gen. Garfield that Judge Folger was
not 1dentlned with any OF the chickering's in
n. l.
therefore. be generally acceptable. Senator
Conkling conceded his ability. said he would be
acceptable certainly to himself and the repub-
llcan party. Thereupon the President-elect
told Senator ConkIing that he would invite
Judge Folger to Mentor, and If he would accept
the place he would tender him the Treasury
department..
In brief, this Is the result of the Conklinp.
Garfield Mentor conference, according to this
authority. There Is no doubt here among
Judge Folger's friends In the New York dele
CATION but that he will not only accept, but has
accepted the place.
THB STATUTE THAT BARS OUT NORTON.
The section OF the revised statutes which was
urged against the appointment of Levi p.
Morton to the Treasury is as follows: "No
person appointed to the offlce OF Secretary of
The Treasury, or first controller or first au-
Cit0r or treasurer or register shall, directly or
Indirectly, be concerned or interested In carry
ing On the business OF trade or commerce. or
be owner in whole or In part of any sea vessel.
or purchase by himself or another In trust 70;
him any public lands or other pubic
property, or be concerned IN the purchase Of
disposal OF any public securities of any state or
OF the United States, or take or apply to Lis
own use any emolument or gain for negotiating
or tTansactiBg. any business In the Treasu y
department other than what shall be allowed
by law" &C.
SENATOR CoNKLING SEES FoLGER.
After Senator Conkling left Mentor he went d.
rect to Albany and had conference With judge
Folger. The latter was to have left albany for
Mentor On Thursday night. and probably had his
conference with General GARFIELD on Friday. Sen.
atoT Conkiing'5 friends say that General Gar
field aid not suggest Folger'S name, but that
Senator CoBkliDg named four men. The first
Morton, the second FOlger the other two not
yet known.
VICE PRESIDENT -ELECT ARTHUR will remain In
this city until the special session OF the Senate
adJOurns. He desires to get acquainted per-
sonally with the Senators, 80 1t he may
know them by name and otherwise familiartze
himself with his new duties. He had quite
number OF distinguished callers to-day at his
rooms at the Arlington.
PERsoNAL-Senator- r-elect Fair, OF Nevada,
who is on his way to Washington, arrived at
Omaha on Saturday. Before coming here,
however. he will 60 on to Concord, N. H.,
where TWO of his children are at schoOL-Mrs.
j. z. Palmer left for New York this morning
Nj. Bonnat, the distinguished French
painter, has been elected to the vacant seat in
the Academy OF Fine Arts in Paris.-John T.
Raymond says that he and Miss Courtney
Barnes are TO be married in ApriL-SenatOr
Hill, OF Georgia, was registered in New York
yesterday.-Iieut Commander and Mrs. A.
u. kellogg are at the Ebbitt House.-Ex-
governor seymour Is slowly recovering from
ms recent illness, and is staying with his Sis
Gef, mrs. Roscoe Conkl1ng, In Utlca--GeO. d.
Nlse, ,hePIesentatlve-elect from the third Yir
gina district, resigned his position as common.
WeaIIhS attorney in Richmond on Saturday.
-Ex-fostmaster Filley, of St Louis In