National Republican., 1882-08-21
FEBRUARY o, 1851.
General JAMES A. GARFIELD, Mentor, Ohio;
CONFIDENTIAL

FEBRUARY "a.
Hon. ]. A. GARFIELD. Mentor, Ohio.
My DEAR GENERAL: Geuerul Arthur came over
last night from Washington, and had q confer
encc OF several hours with HIM. He informed me
very much provoked ut what they called my in
tererence, namely, because had suggested with
many Others the name Of Judge Folger for Secre-
tury OF the Treasury.
Geueral Arthur says that he has never heard
such u buzz and disturbance OF feeling as there
has becn among the Blaine people lie furtner-
more says that Mr. Elkins, acting, no doubt, for
Mr.. Blaine, Is talking very Mostly against the
selection OF Judge Folger, because he was tool
of mine. l simply wish TO ca your attention to
the fact that when mentioned Judge Foger to
you first, had never Ell him; my whole inter-
cour G with him since would not cover half the
time that you occupied with him at Mentor.
know him personally less than know almost any
public man in the country. urged his appoint.
ment, and still urge it,, because think il is
disappointment manifested by the feeling in
Washington on the part of his friends is the evil
dent ouIgrowlh uf n notion that they expected TO
control the Cabinet, aud especially the Treasury
Department. If Mr.. Blaine I'D not care TO control
the Treasury Department, he would not be dissat-
isiied annoyed at The appointment OF MIR. Fulger
warn you, therefore, that this manifestation OF
bitterness is thing of which you should take
heed, and write what / have said to you more
than once, that neither Mr.. B.aine nor any other
ambitious man should have control of the great
places in your Cabinet. If Mr. Blaine is 10 be
made Secretary OF State, and protege of his Sec
retaty Of the Treasury, and another Secretary of
the Interior, have great fears that the Admins
tration would greatly suffer, with an even chance
that disaster would follow in the near future
l do not wish to say an unkind thing of Mr..
Blaine although he Is charged with the RESPONSE
bity for The most un kind things said of me with
in the last week, and the most untruthul and
malignant ever uttered by man. II what General
Arthur has heard is true it is as clear daylight
to my mind that he expects to have his friend in
the Treasury Department, another friend either in
the Post Uttce or Interior and that through them
and by them he intends 10 do one of two Things
either to make your administration a camping
ground for his own aspirations, or he has some
other object no less dangerous to the party. l
cannot bring myself to believe that Mr.. Blaine is
in the state oil mind he is reported to be- and
sincerely trust that General Arthur has been mis-
informed. In respect to Judse'Foger have made
1t my business, since saw you to see Republicans,
as well as Democrats, of all shades Of opinion, and
to get from them an expression us to the capacity
integrity, and fidelity of the man. Now, outside
OF Mr.. FentOn, do not believe there are twenty
men in the State of New York but what have the
most implicit confidence in Judge Folgers whole
character Mr.. Fenton has had reason to hate
Judge Folger, because it was through his great
power and ability that Fenton was destroyed in
this State. The allegation that Folger was in any
way connected with the Tweed ring is too absurd
to consider, for he was the one particular man in
the State who fought the Tweed ring and the
whole gang of thieves in this state from the be-
ginning TO the end. while at the same time MIR.
Fenton was hand in glove with them. believe
Folger's personal character, his great ability and
the perfect purity Of his life would bear compari-
sou with those ofany living man. Folgers appoint
ment simply means what the large standing
VI isulopo iiconJ hhihSiy thut you uIc
equipped for any emergency that may offer, SO that
peace may be secured. beg of you not TO permit
the edisappointmentand the bitterness which grows
out of disappointment to influence YOU in this
matter. / say to you that for your administration
and the Republican party and for the country the
appointment Of Judge F0lger to the Treasury De-
partment is the most important one you have to
deal with. Your failure To appoint him 1t seems
to me will be the monumental mistake Of your ad :
Iulnisration.
] believe the Republican party Of the country
think well of Mr.. Blaine, and think that his Sc
but Mr.. Blaine Is not In position to be chief OF
the Cabinet and then dictate the other important
places iu it.. And what is of more importance,
you not in position to allow him to do 1t.
But to return to Judge Folger, l beg again
to impress upon you the value of that great name
and high character to your administration. SIM
cerely yours, 8. w. DORSEY.