Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1882-06-12
PELECRAPHIC
AMERICA.
SPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE DAILY TIMES.
UNITED STATES.
Garfield's Chun,s.

teresting bit of history connected
with the closing days of the Gar
field administration was given the
Times correspondent to-day. 1t ap-
pears that there was good deal of
trouble at the White House during
the days Of Garfield's illness. The
chums, who were always so near to
him, monopolizcd everything in the
way of public business, and practi-
cally crowded out of Cabinet consid-
Grafton everything in relation to the
President and his family. 1t comes
from high authority that Rockwell,
one Of the chums, week or SO before
the President was removed to Ell
beron, wrote out commission for
himself as Quartermaster- General in
the army and sought to get to the
President for his signature. He
showed it to Mrs. Garfield and asked
her advice about it, and said that
James had intended to appoint him,
and to make certain of 1T, it would
probably be better to have the Pres
ident's hand to it while he was able.
At this time Garfield was uncon-
scious, and he remained so the
greater part of the day, and only oc-
casionally appears to have been con-
scious as to what was going on
around him. Mrs. Garfield showed
the commission to Mr.. Blaine as
head of the Cabinet, and asked his
advice. Mr.. Blaine was very indig-
nant. He tore up the commission
and added that it was the hight of
indecency for Rockwell to bring up
any such proposition at such time.
He said there were many more i'm
portant matters which needed con-
sideration if the President should at
any time be in state of mind to
think of them. The chums bitterly
hated Blaine, and in every way they
could eXerted themselves in direct
ing affairs as against any sugges-
tions from him. Had the President
lived, Blaine has since said in pri-
vate with a number of gentlemen that
he Blaine weuld have insisted upon
the dismissal of all the chums or
would have resigned his place in the
Cabinet. AT Long Branch the chums
could not realize that Garfield was
going to die. They had been with
him and nursed him from day to day
and firmly believed that when he re-
covered they would have the control
and direction of affairs. 1t was part Of
their plans to GUST Blaine at the very
first opportunity. Some of their talk
was one day carried to Blaine, and he
was asked if he intended to take any
notice of what the chums said-openly
threatening what they were going to
do. He replied: ''Bah! ] will have
no fight with pissmires.' Swain and
Rockwell, during the short period OF
Gartield's short administration estab-
lished a firm for the dispensation ol
patronage. All the army appoint
ments, promotions and what not were
largely controlled through them
Swaim's great hold on General Gar
field was through his financial rela
tions with him. Swain had acquire,
quite fortune during the last few
years by carefully saving his salary
judicious investments and loans. II,
held a mortgage on Garfield's hous,
in this city and also upon the farm
i'll Mentor. Had Garfield lived an,
had these chums been allowed to re
tain their hold, his administration
would certainly have become NOR
notorious than Grants in it's wors
days, when the White House wa
controlled by the small ring of place
men, who used the power of tn
government for the worst of pur
poses. Daggett, Weigher in tn
New York Custom House, belonge,
to this chum gang. He was the Ne,
) York agent for dispensing patron
age in that State in the interest Q
the chums. He followed the condi
tiop of the President very closel,