Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-22
Gath,s Gossin.


be the next candidate for governor of
Ohio ?"
"The republicans" said the free
trade champion of other days, "will
probably nominate Cornelius Aultman.
He is a worthy man, and their more
political material is worn threadbare.
The democrats are expecting TO put in
George Hoadly, but I do not see how
he can take barren, neryeless office
like that without there is something
beyond it. He is the foremost lawyer
in Ohio, with professional income of
500, 900 year. To lay this down for
plsce that almost any man can fill is
too much of sacrifice"
"Will he be 8 candidate for the SEN
ste?"
"Oh, no."
The air in which this was said made
me reflect that perhaps Mr.. Hoadly
would only run for governor with the
promise of Ohio's support for vice.
president or president; but the conver-
satiou took another turn, and this is
only my suggestion. | told Mr.. Brink
croft that Tilden had once, st least, re-
ferred to Hosdly as presidential al
tentative, and that the Indiana demo
Gratis were sworn to kill off any Ohio
candidate, whatever, being particular
ly solid for Mcdonald, and considering
that New York had the authority alone
to checkmate them. Said l: "Was
Gov. Foster unwise to press the license
law question:"
No. The republican politicians
were acting pitiful part against their
governor, to whom they own many
contribution, both of money and saga
city, in past times of need. Foster has
more liberty and courage than his
party. When he appointed me
on the board of corrections re-
publicans from my own town were
intolerant enough to enter a pro-
test against it, because / had become
democrat. He said the work to be
done justified my selection. think
him the best representative they have
left. He has business, executive and
popular qualities, no lack of convic-
tions, and courage, too"
"Why did you get over to the demo
cracy ?"
The republican party has been
drifting for years past. | felt uneasy in
| 1t. Soon after the war closed, with my
democratic anteeedents, | wanted the
party to come TO some standard of prin-
cip]es, and for want of it they have
met with overthrow. They kept play
ing and fencing for position. l find the
democratic party sound now on all
essential questions. No heresy, or isms,
or crank petson has any influence in il.
1t is better instrument to depend on
now than the other party, which, with
a good claim to respectable men,
bership, is without definite ideas or
courageous popular convictions"
| This free, and bv no means inter
view conversation, was held in the
rear room of Mr.. Brinkerhotf7s bank. /
asked him if Sherman and Pendleton
were not nearly counterparts of each
other in graces, wealth and ability, and
perhaps general character. As to
abilities, Mr.. Brinkerhoff thought they
were equals, and neither first-class.
My friend then asked me If the re-
pubicans were going to nominate
Blaine for president. | said thought
they would if they did not hope to
win, because he was unquestionably
their favorite, but if they had a living
hope, thought they would not.
II stumped his district for Blaine in
Maine several years ago" Mr.. Brinker-
hoff said, "and travelled long journeys
with Blaine. l liked him, but found
him too uncertain or his promises.
About 1871, when he was made speak
er the second time, he promised the
revenue reform element to make Gar
field chairman of the ways and
means committee. He promised
positively, and gave it In writing to
Garfield. The condition was that the
revenue reform element would not OPP
pose Blaine for speaker. He was elect
ed, and | went to see him in that little
den he kept in the basement of the
capitol. He said to me: "How would
this suit you for the committee of ways
and means ?" He kept his finger on
the paper while read the list. Gar
field did not hear it, though his name
was not included. Dawes name was.
Said /: "Mr. Blaine, this will not suit
the revenue reform men at all. You
promised us Garfield ?" oh, said he,
4 do not say this is the committee; it
is only tentative, to see how you like
it. Said |: Mr.. Blaine, do you think
Mr.. Dawes is q revenue referm man
anywhere ?" Oh, yes, said Blaine,
briskly, for great tariff notifications
"I went away satisfied we had been
deceived, and hailed Garfield upstairs
in the CAP titol. He was in great hur
ry, as Of elation. Said |, Let me say
something to YOU Come to my
house tonight Garfield replied:
can't stop now.' | went to his house
and saw Garfield. You are not to be
the chairman of the ways and means.
Yes, | ana, Garfield said, and have
had Blaine's promise over and over
again, and he wrote it TO me in letter. :
Have you got the letter Z? | said. No;
Blaine asked me the other day to give
it back to him. Garfield said /, he
has cheated you. He says Kelley, of
Pennsylvania, will take fit if he ap-
points you, and that the older mem
bers Of congress expect 10 receive these
leading chairmanships. Why exclaim-
ed Garfield, IF he does not appoint me
| he is the baseRt of men. On the strength
of his assurance / have made all my
arrangements to stay in Washington
the whole summer working up the
tariff bill General said ], detailing
the whole interview, you and me are
going to be cheated. He means to
break faith And go it was. Yet Gar
field put Blaine in his cabinet"
"What do you think Of Garfield,
Gen. Brinkerhoff? ?"
'He was man of high ability
one of the great legislators and schol-
ars in our public life; and he made
fatal error in giving Blaine the
senior cabinet position. He was
captivating, and Garfield became the
captive. Blaine had his way too much,
and broke the hopes we might have ex-
pected to come from president Of Gar
fields attainments. / did not vote for
Garfield. My confidence in his party
was gone before he ran"
Crooked Whisky.