The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-07-27
Why CONKLlxa RESIGNED.
Garfield IN tho Power Or Jay could.

Garfield In tho Powers f Jay Gould.
The following letter in the Chicago
Ners Of recent date, though doubtless
written rs friendly act to Mr.. Conk-
ling. even II not directly inspired by
him, Is Of importance as showing just
how fully the party is controlled by the
great monopoly interest Of the country.
The letter is signed !" Fiat Justitia:"
Il was present at the Chicago Con-
vention in 1880, and took nm active part.
/ did vote for Gen. Grants nomination,
aud subsequently ut the election did not
vote for Gen. Garfield. So trust what
say will not he regarded rs stalwart
attack upon the memory Of the late
President.
"Some Of the hitherto unpublished
facts Of history are these: In the early
full Of 1880 the country was startled by
the announcement that the fusion ticket
had been elected in Maine. Almost uni
versal decentralization took hold upon the
Republican party q stampede was
threatened; odds upon Hancock's cleo.
ton were offered and grew larger day by
day. Gen. Garfield naturally sought
some means for checking this panic. All
eyes turned toward Ohio and Indiana,
and every one agreed that the loss Of
these States meant the certain defeat OF
the party in November.
AS they had every reason to expect,
the National Republican Committee
found that the disaster in Maine played
havoc with their finances. The capitalists
and great moneycd corporations Of the
country have but one plank in their
political platform, viz: u resolution to
always support the winning side. When
the fortunes Of the Democracy began to
rise and the Republicans to fall, con-
tributions to Gov. Jewels COM
mittee grew scarce and serious incon-
venience for the lack OF funds was
threatened.
ut was Gen. Garfield who hit upon
the plan that saved the party. After
making contract with Levi P. Morton
to give him Cabinet office or foreign
mission il tile house Of Morton, Bliss 4
Co. would start the subscription with
something handsome, he called in
Whitelaw Reid and arranged scheme
for securing help from Jay Gould and
his fellow magnates Of Wall street.
upon the statute books was law
passed by tine Forty fifth Congress in
April, 1878. 1t was popularity called the
Thurman bill, and it provided for the
establishment of sinking fund by the
Pacific railways for the purpose of ex-
tinguisling their Indebtedness to the
Government. This act was contested by
the corporations, and the decision Of the
Supreme Court was regarded by them
with great concern. Fortunately for
Cen. Gaffeld's plan, he, rs a member
Of the lower house, had opposed the bill
had attacked its constitutionality, and
had stepped into corridor while the
vote was being taken, 80 that his name
did not appear on the roll.
ut was very easy for him, therefore,
TO commission Whitelaw Reid to say to
Mr.. Gould that if a purse could be raised
to help the party in Ohio and Indiana,
he would cheerfully, when elected Pres
ident, appoint to the vacancy on the
Supreme bench a Judge who would vote
the Thurman act unconstitutional. Such
proposition did not involve any sacri-
flee of principles on his part.
Mr.. Gould was content enough to
make the trade, but he had had SO much
trouble with politicians that he had come
to the conclusion to always demand that
such matters be put ia writing not that
he doubted that Gen. Garfield was q
gentleman Of honor aud would faithfully
keep his word, but there were SO many
misunderstanding in his lite, If he
wonld just jot it down in little memo
randnm letter it might be better. He
(Mr. Could was perfectly willing to
make Whitelaw Reid custodian of the
letter. lie didn't care about that.
$50 Gen. Garfield wrote the letter.
NhiteAaw Reid put it in his vault, Mr..
Gould raised the purse, and Ohio and
Indiana were saved. 1t has been said
that the sum was S35O,OOO, and that
Secretary Dorsey pocketed all but $5O,-
Ooh, hut that is probably false.
Nine days after his Inauguration
President Garfield made good his prom
Use by sending the name Of Justice STAN
ley Matthews to the Senate.
About the same time, on Sunday
in March, 1881, the President sent nh
invitation to Senator Conkling to call at
the White House. As to what trans
pired at that meeting have no doubt,
Ms was informed from the lips Of the
principals. Gen. Garfield expressed to
the Senator in almost extravagant terms
his kindly feeling and his desire for q
thorough accord in their labors for the
party aud the country. Mr.. Conkling
responded with IN equally earnest wish
for the largest success for the new ad-
Ministration.
"And now finally calculated the
President, / want to recognize you,
aud 1 want your advice regarding the
New York appointments
"'You misunderstood me- replied
the Senator. Il have no requests Of
that character to make. During my ca
re.r Of public service have never, save
perhaps in one instance, sought the APP.
Tolatnent of friend to office. In that
case all old gentleman OF Utica secured
the Endorsement Of almost every citizen
OF the city, Democrat as well as Repub-
lican, for minor position in the Con-
snlar Department, and ! added my
signature to the request
"Well, said the President, if you
do not care to suggest appointments
will you do me the favor to carry a mes.
sage to the Vice President and Senator
Plat? Will You say to them that an
very much pushed just now-the "mob'
Is about me. If they will collect all Of
their papers and hold them for brief
period, will then send for them aud
shall be very glad to observe their
wishes
''When Senator Conkling left the
Executive Mansion he called upon Vice
President Arthur and Senator Plat and
communicated the Presidents message.
He added that he (Conkling) had nc
wish in the matter but should be per
fectly content with any choice they
might make.
During the succeeding week Judge
Robertson's name was sent to the Senate
without previous notice to Conkling
Arthur or Platt.
"Of course Mr.. Conkling's position
Was an embarrassing one, and he wa
somewhat annoyed. He thought of ad