Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
DORsEY,s REVELATIONS.
What Gov. Foster SaYs-1h he COufereuce
Between Garfield and COnkllng-
The President Made no
Promises.

WASHINGTON, July 2l-
Gov. Foster was interviewed before he left
last night about the Dorsey revelations. He
said: dorsey was not Gsrfeld's choice for
secretary of the republican national commit
tee. Dorsey was suggested by another man. y
How about Garfield's promise to Dor
sey?"
He might have promised Dorsey port
folio, but if he did did not know it.
els it not fact that Dorsey exaggerated
regarding his service in Indiana, and that he
traded upon the belief he created that he had
won the victory, when in reality the State
had been thoroughly organized before he set
foot in it!'
Il fancy not. / know there is such an
impression abroad, but never heard Dorsey
brag about his work in Indiana. 1t is true
that Garfield was greatly pleased with Dor
sey for the work he had done in Indiana, but
| do not know that Dorsey exaggerated the
nature of his services. We all know that the
State was splendidly organized, and thai
great credit for that organization is due to
J. c. New, Col Dudley and Others"
Shave you any knowledge Of the alleged
| bargain between Garfield. Whitelaw Reid
and Gould for the appointment Of Stanley
Mathews to the supreme bench!'
None whatever. | regard that story as
| cold blooded calumny. Matthews had been
| appointed by President Hayes, and on &C.
count Of the protracted deadlock in Congress,
he waited of confirmation. 1t had been ar
understood thing for a long time that Judge
Matthews was to be made a Judge of the su
preme court, and when Garfield became
president, he felt bound to carry out the
wishes OF his predecessor. The appointment
of Judge Matthews was an inherited obligation
at least that is the way Garfield regarded
\ it, feel sure"
DO you know ANYTHING about that inter
view between Senator Conkling and Presi-
dent Garfield the day before Robertson.
name was sent to the Senate, or of any
pledges made by the President to Senator
Conkling?"
| 81 was not present at the interview, bu
| the President told me infinitely what occurred
there"
:'Will you give ME the Presidents yer.
sion?''
81 don't know that ought to speak of it.
but as frequent references are made to it,
don't know that it would do any harm. As
had it from the President, he had promised
that he would consult with Senators Conk
ling and Plat before doing anything abou
the New York appointments in fact know
he made that promise, because he made it tC
me. In fulflment of that promise, he SEN
for Senators Conkling and Plat. The latter
was out of the city but Conkling called al
the White House. This was the Sunday
| afternoon or evening of the interview o.
| which am speaking. The President TOLD
me that in the long talk between himself and
Senator Conkling, he did not say that he
would not appoint Robertson to the collector
ship, and that throughout the interview he
let it be distinctly understood that he was
going to care for that gentleman. Every
| time RobertsOns name was mentioned for ar
office. the senator ran him down and belittlet
him all he could. He would not hear te
Robertson being given anything. When are
| we going to clear out the custom house? ?
Senator ConkliDg finally asked. Il am MOI
ready to talk about that yet the President
replied"
Did not the President tell Senator Conk
ling plainly that he was not going to make
a change in the collectorship, that it hat
two years to run, and that it would be time
| enough then to make a changer"
"He told me repeatedly that when Senator
Conkling asked him when he was going t.
clean out the custom house, his reply was
Il am not ready to talk of that yet Toward
the close of the interview, the President sale
that he would not do ANYTHING until he hat
consulted Senator Plat, who was expected
back the Tuesday following. Senator Conk
| ling remarked that there was no need to wal
for Senator Plat. L can say for Senator
| Plat, he said, that he will be satisfied with
the appointment You have said you would
make Accordingly, the President did no
wait for Senator Plat, and there is where hi
made his mistake. 1t was learned afterwart
that Senator Plat would have insisted OF
changes in the nominations to which his col
1oa.y had fv.u T.,