The sun., 1882-08-20
eARE1E1D,s MANY BROKEN PRousEs.
Mr.. Conkling's Visit Recalls Thsm-An Abun-
dance Of EpistoIIc Evidence.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-Mr. Conkling's pro-
fessonal visit to the Capitol recalls to the minds
of numerous actors in thom events succeeding
Gariields nomination. down ~ the announce
ment OF his Cabinet followed by the resigna-
tion of tho New York Senators in resentment
Of his fathlessnoss. Tho story has been told
hundred times. Garlclds defenders have
never disputed 1t. They have even tacitly ad-
mitted that when the Stalwart leaders-Grant
Conkling. Arthur Morton. Logan. and others
had elected him. he turned against them. Not
only did he turn againstthose to whom he owed
everything. but in doing no he violated pledges.
offers. and professions mado In the most SOL
emn and unreserved manner. Apparently their
fulfllment to the very letter would not have
half discharged the debt which Garfield de-
clared he felt he was under. In the first
place. he agreed with them. rs the flttest
thing that could be done. that the Secretary Of
the Treasury should bo taken from New York.
When Mr.. Morton was proposed. he declared
that of all men in the world Mr. Morton suited
him best, " He shall be appointed, He is my
choice. Mr.. Morton shall be my Secretary OF
,l.,ST the STreaasSuryn These were Cart @Garaelds own
ing to Mentor, and wishing to have those to
whom he had thus pledged himself altogether
and to hG the %asT Wholly dis
be -onvnced. Garfield sent by a men,
Der Of the United States Senate mes
sage to these distinguished leaders. but
for whose, exertions he would have been
as to Mr.. Morton. with the further assurance
that the decision was absolutely irrevocable:
1t was not many days after that Garfield said
that not only would he not appoint Mr.. Morton.
but that New York should not have the Sec
retary of the Treasury.
Neither. did Garfield ever pretend nor has
any one for him. pretended that he did not
make these promises. Hardly an attempt has
been made to explain Garfield's faithlessness.
Mr.. Blaine had taken possession OF the Presi-
dent elect The yacillating treacherous Gnr-
field was too willing to be controlled by the
strong and unscrupulous Blaine. After that
there was nothing but treachery. Promises
were made by the score. The mans extraor-
dinary felicity of expression was employed
broken: There is ample proof to support this.
Probably the most extraordinary thing con-
nected with this remarkab bile period of our
political history Is the character and abun-
dance of the proof Of Garfields fathlessness to
those to whom he owed most. For 1t Ia u fact
that men to whom he so professed himself and
whom he betrayed 80 speedily. did. as II in
record OF his promises and keep carefully tho
letters relating to the matter-proof than which
there could not be stronger.
What In the future might give a value and
an importance to these letters and records. OF
course no one could then perceive. Least OF
all were contemplated contingencies which
may yet, II they do not already. call for their
bolts crushing. where originally they seemed
least likely to fall. it will be another instance
tending to show what strange things are liable
to arise in our politics.