The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-07-01

FACTS OF HISTORY.
How tho Republicans Carried tho Last
Presidential Election.


A correspondent, who evidently knows
what he says, writes to the Chicago Even
ing Journal of June 20, as follows:
Some of the hitherto unpublished facts of
history are these: In the early fall of 1880
the country was startled by the announce
ment that the fusion ticket had been
elected in Maine. Almost universal de-
moralzation took hold upon the republi-
can party. A stampede was threated, odds
upon Hancock's election were offered and
grew larger day by day. General Garfield,
naturally, sought some means for checking
the panic.
All eyes turned toward Ohio and Indiana,
and every one agreed that the loss of these
states in the October election meant the
certain defeat OF the party in November.
AS they had every reason to expect, the
national republican committee found that
the disaster to Maine played havoc with
their finances. The capitalists and great
monied corporations of the country have
but one plank in their political platform
viz, Il resolution to always support the win
ming side. When the fortunes of the dem
oCraCy began to rise and the republicans to
fall, contributions to Governor JEWELS
committee grew scarce, and serious incUn-
venicnce for the lack of funds was threat
ened. 1t was General Garfield who hit
upon the plan that saved the party. After
making contract with Levi 7. Morton to
give him cabinet Office or foreign mis-
sion If the house of Morton, Bliss & Co.
would start the subscription with some
thing handsome, he called on Whitelaw
Reid and arranged scheme for securing
help from Jay Gould and his fellow mag.
mates of Wall street. Upon the stat
ute books was law passed by the
Forty.sixth congress in 1873 II was
popularity called the Thurman bill, and it
provided for the establishment of n sinking
fund by the Pacific railway, for the purpose
Of extinguishing their Indebtedness to the
government. This act was contested by the
corporations, and the decision of the SUI
preme court was regarded by them with
great concern. Fortunately for General
Garheld's plan, he, as a member of the
lower house, had opposed the bill, had at
tackled its constitutionality and had step
ped into corridor while the vote was be.
ing taken, so that his name did not appear
upon the roll. 1t was very easy, therefore,
for him to commission Whitelaw Reid to
say to Mr.. Gould that if purse could be
raised 10 nelp thc party IN ONO anu In
diana, he would cheerlully, when elected
president, appoint to the vacancy on the
supreme bench judge who would vote
the Thurman act unconstitutional. Such u
proposition did not involve any sacrifice
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 in writing, not that he
doubted that General Garfield was n gen
tleman of honor, and would faithfully keep
his word, but there were so many misun- |
dcrstandings in his life. If he would Just |
jot it down in little memorandum it |
might be better than letter. He (Mr. |
Could was perfectly willing to make
Whitelaw Reid custodian of the letter. lie
didn't care aboLt that so General Garfield
wrote the letter, Whitelaw Reid put it in
his vault, Mr.. Gould raised his purse and
Ohio and Indiana were saved. 1t has been
said that the sum was $3.50, 1000 and that
Secretary Dorsey pocketed all but $50 900,
but that is probably false.
Nine days after the Inauguration Presi-
dent Garfield made good his promise by
sending the name of Justice Stanley Mat
thews to the senate.