The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-31
THE TREATY OF NEW FORK.
Chapters from the secret History OF Garneld's
Election.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 80. - In commenting
upon review Of the Garfleld-Dorsey corre-
spondence by the Cincinnati Gazette. THE Sun
says: These letters OF Dorsey are one step
further toward the final exposition OF the
treaty Of Mentor" Permit me to say that the
treaty between Garfield and the Stalwart lead
ers proposed specifically in terms by the late
President. was made in the city OF New York
during the first week OF August. 1880.
Garfield went to New York when the outlook
for his election was not only gloomy. but abso-
lutely desperate. The war between the factions.
embittered ~ the defeat OF Grant. had not
ceased. The campaign dragged along like
wounded serpent-slowly. Outside Of the office
holders. who already had been twice assessed.
there were few contributions OF money.
At conference with the stalwart leaders.
Garfield did not conceal his fears OF the result.
and he frankly admitted that. unless there was
q perfect reconciliation in New York. and liberal
aid from the men who could afford to help the
cause. defeat was impending. He discaimed
any prejudice against the Stalwarts. and.
in order to give assurance Of his sincerity
in this respect. he then and there pledged him
self. II elected. to give New York the Treasury
Department :; to give the Stalwarts. who. he said.
represented the body Of the party. the bulk OF
the Federal patronage. reserving personal
recognition for Half Breed friends. who had
" made his nomination possible at Chicago;
and finally that the State should receive pro-
portionate consideration in the general distri-
button OF favors.
At the close OF that conference. several OF the
persons present wrote down statements OF
what had taken place. and they subsequently
compared these reports. finding them to agree
in every material respect and differing only as
to tho forms Of expression used.
One OF the results OF that conference was
committee to wait upon Mr.. Levi p. Morton.
with request that he should take the part OF
financial manager Of the campaign. as tho
Chairman Of an organization for that object.
Mr.. Morton declined to serve in that capacity.
alleging that the duties would interfere with
his business. besides which. he expected to be
absent from the city.
Garfield then sent for Morton and urged him
to accept the preferred place. AS an inducement
to do So he promised, In the event Of success
to mako him Secretary OF the Treasury. or Min
lister to France. or to England. as he might
elect. Mortons letters to Dorsey contain the
proof that he yielded to this prefer. and the
fact that he is now Minister to France by Gar
fields appointment shows that one OF the con-
tingent pledges was redeemed in this case. after
that in regard to the Treasury had been broken.
Among the noted men Of wealth appealed to
at or about that time was jaw Gould. He stood
aloof at first, but when pressed he was willing
to make terms. Gould is largely interested in
the Union Pacific Railroad and in other great
corporations that frequently have important
litigation before the Supreme Court OF the
United States There was a vacancy on the
bench for the new President to fill when he
should come in.
Gould naturally desired to protect his inter-
ests. and therefore he wanted Stanley Mat
thews appointed Judge to I'll the vacant seat.
Matthews rs Senator was virtually his counsel
at the passage Of the Thurman act and did his
best to defeat that measure. Gould's dealings
with politicians did not inspire him with much
faith in their integrity. Ho knew Garfield
through and through. and Garfield knew him
and his methods by experience.
Now. Gould was willing to pay a round price
for Judge but he wanted to be sure OF get
ting the equivalent for his money. He would
take nothing on trust. and demanded written
agreement which should hold good after the
election. Garfield yielded to this condition.
and wrote letter to third person. the conf
Dental friend of both. in which he agreed to
appoint Judge sharing his own views in OPP
position to the Thurman act. meaning Stanley
Matthews.
One Of GarAeld's first acts as President was
had volunteered. among other things. to assure
| Mr. Conkiing at Mentor that Matthews Should
| not be appointed. A curious fact in connection
| with this matter is worthy Of note. When Gar
| field was troubled with doubt about the ap-
| pointment Of Robertson as Collector OF New
York. as well he might be after his reiterated
| promises to Conkling, to Arthur. to Platt. 10
| Crowley. and to others, he was suddenly driven
into corner. Persuasion had failed, and
menace seemed Ineffective Finally as q las,
resort. he was informed by telegraph that II
| RobertSons name was not sent to the Senate
| his letter relating TO the appointment OF Stan
| ley Matthews would be published. That threat
settled the business and led to the open
declaration OF war against the Stalwarts Ii
may be said to have prepared the way fol
| Guiteau.
Politics have changed seriously in the yeal
that has passed away since GarHeld's death
| and the relations OF men have also beer
altered. Roscoe Conkling no longer leads
| his party. He has fallen in love with his pro.
fcssion and is reaping rich reward for his in
| dustry and skill. He is the chief counsel fol
some Of Mr. Gould's corporations and for 9th.
ers Of equal standing. attracted to him in par
| by the confidence OF that able and rich operator
| Jay Gould has doubtless many reasons why
| the part he took in the Presidential campaign
| should not be pupllsneu. ana he Is capaDle o.
presenting them in n friendly way and at ar
opportune time so as to silence the speech O.
tho holders Of many secrets.
Roscoe Conkling is fully informed Of all the
facts l have mentioned and OF many others
equally important. The original papers Of The
Garfield conference in New York were place.
in his hands. and but for the shooting of Gar
field and his subsequent death they woul(
have been published long ago.
These papers form part Of the political his
tory Of the times, and they ought not to be sup
pressed. Mr.. Conkling no longer appears al
the great antagonist OF corporations. Profcs
sional ties haye reversed his attitude, and tn,
successful lawyer who advises Jay Gould how
to shield himself against the enemies OF mo
nopoly. perhaps cannot afford to enter int,
political controversy. which pays no fees, and a
| this particular time offers the former leade
no temptation to take up blunted sword
The treaty of New York. TO which Roscoe
| Conklng was not personally party, brough
the Stawarts into line, and led to the election
OF Garfield. Ii Arthur had not been upon tn
ticket ii never would have been made VIVA
occurred ut Mentor afterward had only q sec
| lpIary and followed from, 4