Daily globe., 1882-09-29
INSIDE HISTORY.

Some of the Secrets Divulged by Dorsey to
His Counsel-How Arthur Came to be
Nominated at Chicago -Conkling Oppos-
ed to the Selection-A Place in Garfield's
Cabinet Refused by DOrsey-His Liber-
ality.
OF all those Joined in the star route con-
spiracy indictments, none feel so keenly
the efforts of the department of justice
to land them in durance vile as Stephen
w. Dorsey. ex-senator from Arkansas.
Dorsey has just turned his fortieth year, is
happily married to lady of culture and
beauty, is seized of wealth, and in an
active life just begun, has been colonel
in the army of the United States and has
held seat in its highest legislative body.
The man in some respects is phenomenal.
By dint of his own energy he has paved
his way to fame and fortune, and has
proved to be one of the shrewdest politi-
clans of these modern ages. In nature
the man is keenly sensitive
The very men who now seek to clothe him
in prison garb are those he helped to
make politically, playing no insignificant
part. Pending the star route prosecutions
Steve Dorsey should take a retrospect of
time, and wonder why some things could
be. He had been the boon
companion If the man who now occupies
the executive chair, and the confidential
intimate friend of his lamented predecss-
sor, and yet both have done what they could
to degrade him socially and to cast him in
to outer darkness. While the trial was on
it was the habit of Dorsey's lawyers to
meet frequently at his house. Here the
star route case was not only discussed, but
the secret history of the last presi-
dental campaign was eonned over.
Dorsey without reserve told these law
yers some very interesting details of its
management, and to one of them your
correspondent is indebted for the gossip
which follows:
You think. ne doubt, with many others,
that Chester A. Arthur was put on the tick
ct with James A. Garfield a piece of
cruel vengeance by Roscoe Conkling, don't
your said the attorney. 'Well, such is
not the case. Let me tell you the facts as
| got them from Dorsey. After the nomi-
nation of Garfield it wa thought by the
Ohio delegation and an ex-governor, who
was one of its members. that Arthur
should go on the ticket. 1t was broached
to the now president, and his
ambition was at once aroused
After the convention had taken its recess it
was developed that Arthur was anxious to
go on the ticket. The question was, what
will Conkling think of it? He was waited
upon and sneered at the suggestions; said
he would have nothing to do with such a
ticket, and did not think Arthur would ac-
cept the second place. The result of this
interview was reported to Arthur's friends,
and Dorsey was deputed to wait upon
Conkling and endeavor to reconcile him to
Arthur's selection. Dorsey called at his
hotel and found Conkling in his room. He
advised him to aid in the nomination Of
Arthur.
"You can't be serious about this ?" said
Oonkling.
Rut am, and so are others said Dor
sey; land want you to be-"
Conkling at once got into towering pas
sion and commanded Dorsey to say nothing
more to him upon the subject. An inter
val followed wherein other matters were
discussed, when Dorsey again broaehsd
the original proposition. eff ysu speak
to me of the matter again." said Conklilg,
''you will obligs me by leaving nay room"
Dorsey did not leave the room, nsr did
he abandoa the prime sbjsst Of
his visit, whereupon Cenkling said:
"If you persist in this annoyance, will
put you out of the room"
mo yea WON'T" said Dorsey, "for you
cannot. I will have you to undsrstand, sir,
that have faced batteries
Dorsey saw that Conkling could not be
enlisted in the movement. SO he left him,
and Arthur was nominated without his aid
10 -
Reverting to the allegation that
met, the attorney said: This is as true ae
fields invitation. While there the presi-
dent said: Senator, have made up my
mind to appoint you secretary of the in
terror. You hail from the western section
and know its people, and want you in my
cabinet The answer of Dorsey was
pointed and emphatic: 'There is no place
in your cabinet, Mr.. President, I want OF
would accept l am a young man and
want to make money. The salary of a
cabinet officer is only $4,000 year. 1t is
no more than clerkship. While sena-
tor my expenses in Washington were three
times the amount of my salary"
"Now," said the president elect, II dc
dot intend to have this hasty answer as
final. I want you to think over it. Ysu
are going from here to your ranch in the
west. You keep the matter under advise
ment until you get there and then write
me letter. You may change
your mind" Dorsey, on his arrival
at his ranch in New Mexico did write Gen
Garfield letter formally declining the
place. copy of this letter he now has
and will make it public at the proper
time.
Touching the character and generosity
of Dorsey, the attorney said: He was
generous to fault. Why, he read me a
letter which Garfield wrote him from
Mentor 1t was long friendly
one written in the abandon
of the greatest friendship. In this letter
he complained that he was eaten out of
house and home; Mentor being away from
the railroad station, those who called upon
him expected to be entertained. In fact
that he was keeping hotel for the accom-
modation of man and beast, and that the
demands upon his hospitality. had not only
depleted his exchequer, but compelled him
to borrow of his friends. His provender
or,6