The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-08-11


COnkling was there. In the interview
that followed, Mr.. Dorsey says he heard
Mr.. James say to COnkling that he had
told Garfield that he was not a candi-
date for any Cabinet place; that he was
entirely satisfied with his place in New
York; but that, as Gen. Garfield had in
dicated an intention Of appointing him,
he wished to have it understood that in
going into the Cabinet he could only go
as the representative of Mr.. COnkling
and the New York Stalwarts.
When Mr.. James had gone, Mr.. Dorsey
repeated to COnkling the prior cOnversa-
tiOn with Garfield as he believed that he
heard 1t, and COnkling then asked a
question, indicating his fear of the fu-
ture.
How much conversation Dorsey had
with Senator Allison, had to do with
the refusal of Allison at the last moment
to accept the place of Secretary of the
Treasury, is best known to both. At all
events MIR. AllisOn's declinatiOn made
Tecast necessary, but this Tecast inclu-
ded the names of James and MacVeagh.
Dorsey, when he learned what the Cabi-
net was going to be, bade Gal field good
bye, wished him success with his Cabi-
net, and soon betOOk himself to his cat
tie ranch in New Mexico. He was near
ly $4,000 out of pocket, his advice had
gone for naught, but he went away with
the prestige of having in a great measure
won the campaign of 1880, and with the
consciousness that the successful candi-
date had acknowledged it by Offering
him the portfolio of Secretary of the
Interior.
1t was not long after Garield's inaug-
uratiOn that the talk of the exposure
and prosecution of gang OF conspira-
~ of hn mt e,esl 4, av-I
Testimony had been presented to Post
master General James, and by him re-
ferred to Attorney General MacVeagh,
which 1t was thought developed scan
dal as great as the Whisky ring. Elab-
crate preparations were made to collect,
sift and use the testimony. The now
POstmasterGeneTal entered on the matter
with all his vigOr, and the Attorney
General was most anxious to put the ac-
cusatiOns in such shape that they could
be laid before competent tribunal.
When the investigation had reached
such point as to cause good deal of
public comment, the President was in
the midst Of his conflict with the New
York Stalwarts over the appointment of
Robertson. He had, however, learned
that the investigation threatened to in
vOlve two men to whom he owed much,
Brady and Dorsey. The President was
uOb 30 kEbhbly OCCuplbu III bH6 NOW LOEk
war as not at once to demand of one of
the special counsel of the Gov
ernment, that every scrap of
important evidence in the case
be submitted to him, and that no
steps of consequence be taken without
his knowledge. This special counsel
was Col. VIM. A. Cook, and the apparent
Inconsistency between his assertions and
those of other counsel of late more close
ly identified with the Administration is
easily recOnciled when it is understood
Garfield said nothing about his confer
ence with Col. Cook. There was one man
in the Cabinet, Blaine, who was greatly
annoyed by these Star route inVestiga-
tiOns. First, because many of his clos
est and warmest political and business
friends were threatened; secondly, be-
cause Blaine regarded it as most un-
seemly ingratitude for an Administra-
tiOn that knew so much about the Star
route system as Garfield did, to be will
ing to take the advantage of the OppOr-
tunities the system afforded during the
canvass, and then turn around and al
low 1t to be put to embarrassment. Mac
Veagh. suspected Blaine from the first,
and not long before Garfield's death, be-
came satisfied that with Blaine in the
Cabinet no successful prosecution, and
in fact, no indictments were possible.
test point, when Arthur and COnkling
were in Albany, Blaine suddenly appear
| ed at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. 1t was
| said by the press he had gone to New
York TO represent the Administration in
that contest. This public announce
ment of his presence in New York was
the first knowledge Garfield had that he
was away, and he at once summoned
/ him back to Washington. But Blaine
1 xuo aOt in ho
signed at all. He was there to protect
his friends Elkins BOsler and other Star
route contractors. He accomplished his
| mission. They were never prosecuted,
and until very recently the claim Of the
Government against them was the sub
| ject of arbitration. HI
When the Garfield administration be-
| gan, COnkling lived on Fourteenth St.,
between G street and New York avenue.
The house is the only dwelling on the
block, and Is large, double stuccOed
building, the upper rooms of which are
let to lOdgers. In the winter of 1881
Senator COnkling occupied the whole OF
the first floor, and after March 4th Vice
President Arthur occupied the second
floor. They took their meals at Cham
berlains, who then had a restaurant
around the corner on New York avenue
The New York people were known to
be out of sympathy with Garfield and
his administration, and il was the Pres.
ident's desire that there be reconeilia
tiOn. In his dread of a difference Oi
opinion with his Vice President, his
Postmaster General, and so strong a mar
az Senator Conkling, Garfield was will
ing to promise almost anything. Above
ali things he wanted to promote har
mOny, or at least he wanted to win bacl
the support of those whom he had al
ready previously deceived. f.E
| TCONTINUKD IN ORR NKxT1