National Republican., 1882-01-14
ANOTHER WITNESS.
prrrnsnunn. VA. Dec. 81. Il

PETERSBURG, VA, Dec. 81, 1881.
70 the Editor oftho Indor-1tpcai.
SIR; Your paper IN its Lending editorial OF TO-
day seeks information rs 10 President Gariolds
views upon the coalition movement In this slate
IL Is much 70 be regretted that the lomcnod Presi'
dents name should have been introduced Mt this
carly day by the partisan press Of the country
into the Virginia political controversy which has
involved so much that is bitter and disngrecable
SO far as can ascertain, the Washington Post
n Democratic organ, which, during the past few
months, seems to speak by authority Of Mr.. Blaine
was the first paper which undertook to give to the
public President Garield's position upon this
question, and the Jnder. appeal is to be COM
mcnded forsecking the truth.
| can speak from personal knowledge on the sub
jcct had two interviews with President Garfield,
both about three weeks previous 10 his assnssi-
nation, and for the special purpose OF ascertain
ing his views upon the political situation IN Nir.
ginia. At the frst interview the President stated
to me unreserycdy and in the most emphatic
terms that he was in favor Of the Malone move,
mcnt. asked him tho direct question II ne hau
any objection TO my making known ms position
to our friends In Virginia. He replied that II was
well known, and certainly not Ancr this inter:
view with the President / publicly announced
how he stood; took occasion to inform our friends
in diherentsecions ofthe state and am quite sure
that the report OF this interview with the Presi-
dent was published in quite u number OF news
papers. short while thereafter, as the Presi-
dents position was being misrepresented ny tns
| straghtouts, called upon him in company win
a member Of Congress, and in the presence OF this
gentleman stated to the President that as there
| seemed 70 be some misunderstanding among inc
| Republicans OF Virginia as to how he stood upon
the question of coalition We had called specially
for an interview with him upon that subject. The
President here again stated that he was in favor oil
| sustaining the Malone movement In reply 10
| the direct question by the gentleman
| who accompanied me as TO the posi-
| tion of the Rendjusters OH the debt ques.
| ton, the President said that the Republicans OF
the country could not afford TO compromise
themselves on the debt question. To which an.
swered that the Virginia debt question was not
| properly understood by the Republicans oi the
| North, and that In my judgment the Mahone
| movement involved other questions-those OF
| human rights and the public schools. The Presi.
| he was decidedly In favor Of sustaining Malone
| ! have stated this latter conversation with the
President more than hundred times TO number
of friends and did not hesitate Mt the time TO make
public use Of II for the benefit Of the coalition
| movement. In addition to the foregoing have
been Informed by number Of prominent hepup-
licans of high character, standing, and influence
| that President Garfield had stated 10 them tna'
| he was In favor of sustaining tile Mnhone move
| ment, and among the number is the lendiug editor
ana proprietor of one of the most influential nc
| publican metropolitan newspapers In the country
| paper that for months contained able editorials
/ favoring the coalition movement. do not reiei
| TO the Hon. George c. Gorham or THE NATIONAL
| REPUBLICAN,.
Finally, Mr.. Editor, have no doubt upon my
mind as to President Garield's position upon TILL
| question: for / know positively that he favoreo
the Malone movement and coalition. Very truly
yours, JAMES d. bhADi'