Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-16
STANLEY MATTHEWS.

PRETENDED EXPLANATION OF HIS APPOINT
MENT TO THE SUPREME COURT
Washington epecial: A genIlsmsn here
who was connected directly and indir city
with the events ltaiing TO the appointment
of Judge Stanley Matthews as au associate
justice Of the SUI rene Oourt OF The United
States, and whose statements are corrot OF att d
by documents, gives the folloSipg history of
the case:
He was stationed in Cincinnati in The gov
ernment services in 1879, when tie Foster
Ewing campaign was pending. GMield led
the Republican CANVASS. A United State
Senator was to he chosen to succeed Thurm IN
in 1881, and a K publican Legislature must
be chosen. During the canvass 81 anley Mat
thews remained passive, doing nothing 10
help Foster, while tympsthizing with
the Republicans. Toe financial plank
in the platform was against his pre-
viously expressed convictions. Gnfi I'D was
urged for the Senate by the genilemsn relat-
ing this history, and this gave Matthe VS.
great ofense. A movement was s.t on foot
by President Hayes. William Baeman, B n
Egglestop, and otherS, to defeat Garfield and
elect Matthews The latter's aspirations
were not before this known, as a compact b sd
been entered into, WHEN be was elected two
years before, 10 fill out John Sherman's up.
expired term, that il Garfield wJuld with
draw his candidacy at that time Mr.. Mat
thews would no, theresite. be candidate
against Garfield. But Hayes and his frie nd +,
wanted Matthews in the Senate, and Hayes
was willing 10 use his power 10 break the
Garfield comp act 10 elect Matthews.
Garfield was asLcuud ID when he learned
these facts further on. He could hardly
credit the statement that these men wou d
break 30 solemn a compact. He spoke very
bitterly OF NJ stihews, and said he would take
steps at once to bring the matter to an issue
with Hayes. G n. G Ir6eld and his friends
took immediate steps TO check President
Hayes's and Mr.. MauheTs's advaoc. on the
SEM torship. The Ohio Leg sture met in
January, 1850, aud Mr.. N stih=ws was a can
didate against Gen. GA Fl I'D, but owing TO
the revelations and exposure OF the csnspir-
acy Matthews was beaten out OF his boots.
Mr.. Hayes's administration was on its last
legs, and hence his blows were delivered with
no force. Gaifisld was elected triumphan;ly
and in short order thereafter commenced to
groom John Sherman for the Presidential
nomination. Then came the convention at
Chicsgo, with its as ounding results. John
Sherman was put In his little bed, and Gar
field was nominated and elected.
10 1880 Msj. d. G. Swain desired TO be
m ade Judge advocate general Of the army
He had loaned Garfield money, and while he
was down at six numbers on the list, the gen
eral agreed to use his influence with Hayes
to secure the appointment. The agreement
was with Hayes by Garfield that in return
| for Swaims promotion as judge advocate
general, be would, when inaugursted Presi-
dent the succeeding 4 h Of March, sd6quat
" provide for Co.. VIM. K Rogers, Hayt s..
f,ithful and deserving prIva,e secretary
whereupon Swain was nominated and Euo
ssquently confirmed as the succt sor to Gen
Drum.
The defeat of Stanley Matthews for the
Senate made it nect ssary TO provide for him
elsewhere. Hayes and Mrs. Hayes were
greatly interested in behalf of their relative.
II was also whispered about in railroad cir
cles that they wanted Mr.. Matthews on the
Supreme benz b, especially since no effort Wal
required TO Undue. President Hayes to al
point him. Efforts we're immedistely pui
forth 10 retire Jus ice Swsyne, which beirg
| finally succs sslul, Mr.. Matthews wss nomi-
mated by Hayes 10 fl the vacancy on ihs
Supreme bench. Meantime Garfield, the
President-elect, WAS in no wis, reconcied tC
Stanley Matthews. The nomination OF Mat
thews was held up in the Judiciary Commit
| tee, of which Senator TburmDn was chair
man, and, notwithst andipg the most siren
uous efforts OF the part OF President Hsye
and Mr.. Mauhswh's railroad friends, il wal
not confirmed and died in committee. Judg,
Thurman opposed Matthews on account o
the lstter's opposItien'to TO the Pacific RAILROAD
sinking fund bill while in the Senate.
Hayes was frantic over the failure TO con
6rm Matthews, aud appealed to Garfield to
renominate Matthews TO the Supreme bench
in return for Swsim's appointment as judgs
advocate general, dropping out all claim
for Col. Reg RS. Coming as a last and ONLY
request from an outgoing to an incoming
President of the same party, and beinl
! quietly backed by the railroad represent
tives in Washington, q n6eld did renominat,
Mr.. Matthews Dpon the assembling Of th'
Senate in extraor iinary session 10 May, 1881
Thereupon orders were quietly issued L
fight Matthews's cor Fl .matiou, and it wa
fought vigorously TO rejection.
This narrator concludes as follows: "A
this critical junclure the word was suddenl,
passed 10 change front on the opposition Il
| Mr.. MatthewA's confirm alton and TO call OF
| all our dogs. The order came from a sourc,
known TO me TO be in GSr6eld's deepes
confidence and from q party who did not q
least spproye Mr.. Matthew's appointment t,