Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-13
81. Adams hotel men will walk very circum-
spectlv In the matter of sales of liquor.


A Doubtful "ApOloRy"
A writer in the New York Herald, who
signs himself "a Friend of the Late Presi-
dent" protests against tho criticisms that
have been made upon the late Presidents
course in appointing Mr. Robertson Collector
at New York and Mr. Matthews Justice of
the Supreme Court, and admitting that the
appointments were open to criticism alleges
that they were not made of the Presidents
free will, but in consequence of pressure
brought to bear upon him from without The
removal of Mr.. Merritt and the appointment
of Mr.. Robertson the writer of the letter at
tributes to Mr.. Blaine's influence, exerted
through the medium of Mr.. Whitelaw Reid,
and the appointment of Mr.. Matthews to Mr..
Sherman's influence, Mr.. Sherman desiring
to have the way clear for his own return to
the Senate. By way of evidence upon the
first point, the writer cites a long despatch
from Mr. Whitelaw Reid, which he states
was addressed to President Garfield through
a mutual friend, on the 27th of March,
and was shown to the writer by the Pres
ident The despatch opens with an &C.
count of Senator Platrs wrath over the nom-
nation of Robertson, and with an outline of
what purports to be the Conkling plan, viz.
Either to force the withdrawal of Robortson's
name, or to extort from the President the
Suryeyorship and Naval Office as an Offset
Mr.. Reid's despatch concludes in the follow
ing terms:
81 wish to say to the president in my Judgment this
is the turning-point Of his whole adminisration-the
crisis Of his fate. If he surrsnders now Conkling is
president for the rest of the term, and Garfield be-
comes a laughing-stock. On the other hand, ne has
only to stand firm to succeed. With the unanimous
action Of the New York legislature, Conking cannot
make an eectual fight That action came solely from
the belief that Garfield unlike Hayes, meant to de-
fend his own administration. The assembly is over
whelmingly Conkng, but they did not dare go
ord against Robertson long they thought the adj
mlnlstraton meant business whenever the time
comes Plat either be forced to support Robertson
or badly damaged by producing tue proof Of bis
pledges. Then we can surely get enough Democratic
senators to Offset anything Conkling do In one
word there safe or honorable way but to go
straight on. Robertson should be held firm, and If
change is made in the surveyorship the should
suit Robertson. Merritt would do perfectly for that
place since he Is good subordinate: or some other
good man could be found. But it is indispensable
that the surveyorship should be keptn hands
Boldness and tenacty now insnre victory not mere
y for this year but for the whole term. The least
yering would be fatal. Whenever pressure on Platt
or James is wanted, let us know. Beware of James's
soft, insinuAtng way; he is again wholly under Conk
ings influence, but stern, sharp admonition will
bring him instantly to his bearings He ought to have
had that the morning after his sorenade speech.
WHITELAw REID"
This peremptory admonition, the writer of
the letter states, had great influence upon
the mind of the President as he reposed the
utmost confidence in the judgment of Mr..
Reid, and put aside with impotence the sug-
gestion that the will of Blaine might be be-
hind the hand of Reid. The nomination of
Mr.. Matthews was debt, the writer says to
an memorable creditor. Mr.. Sherman and
the President even hoped that the Senate
might reject it, and he intended by his 9TH
er appointments to the Supreme Bench, to
show his respect for that august tribunal.
The professed Friend" of the late President
admits that the weakness which he describes
as having been manifested by him was blam-
able, but urges that Gen. Garfield was always
right at heart, and that he would in time have |
shaken off these evil and selfish influences
and have been himself
The New York Tribune editorially admits |
the genuineness of Mr. Reid's despatch and |
thinks it contains "a good deal of frozen !
truth" As showing however, that Blaine was |
not responsible for Garfeld's appointment, |!
the Tribune publishes a despatch from Gar |
field to one OF his secretaries in which he |
says :"
1.-THE attempt to shift the fight to Baines shoulders
is as weak it is unjust. The fact is no member of
the cabinet behaves with careful respect of the
rights OF his brother members than Blaine 1t should
be understood that the administration is not meddng
with New York state politics. II only defends itself |
when assailed' In haste, am very truly yours,
J. A. GARFIELD"
This despatch, with much other evidence |
which might be cited, shows pretty concu-
sively that Garfeld's policy was his own and |
not the instigation of Blaine But however |
this may be, it may well be doubted whether
any sincere friend of President Garfield would /
him as such a weak, brainless and |
tool of adesgning man as this Herald |
writer would have us believe. Had Garfield |
lived, nothing would ever have been heard of
this sort Of apology and it is poor cause at
best which must be bolstered up by purloin-
ed letters and the detraction of dead mans
character The matter most decidedly has
the look of being the work of some man who
is willing to stab Blaine at the expense of
Gen. Garfelds reputation.
Since the above was in type the Tribune
has published letter from John Hay, the
mutual friend to whom Mr.. Reid sent his des-
patch, in which Mr.. Hay says that the des-
patch has never been out of his hands that
it was read by him to Garfield, and has been
under lock and key since The only inference
Is that it was stolen from the wires