Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-08-09
REPUBLICAN DISCLOSURES.
Scraps of Political Misrepresentation
Events Laid Bare-How the Campaign
of 1880 Was Run-Garfield's Duplicity.

Scraps of Political MISREPRESENTATION
Events Laid Bare-How the Campaign
of 1880 Was Run-Garfield's Duplicity.
Hon. Stephen w. Dorsey has given to
the press his threatened expose of the
methods adopted in the last National
cOmpaign to elect General Garfield to the
Presidency. While much of the story is
not new, having been already published,
Mr.. Dorsey gives it with an exactness of
detail that makes it rather interesting
that the late President was the persona
fication of political honesty.
Mr.. Dorsey begins his story with the
assertion that whatever there may have
been that was wrong in the Star-route
contract system. the Republican mana
gers in 1880 either knew or suspected it
all, and were quite willing to avail them
selves of all the advantages possible, and
ayers many times expressed to Dorsey
and Brady their deep gratitude for the
money and aid they contributed.
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION.
When General Garfield was member
Congress an investigation was ordered
by Congress into the system of letting
the Star-route contracts, and, at Bra
dy's request, he made a thorough ex-
animation into the whole matter, the
result being that he assured both Dor
sey and Brady that he was satisfied the
system could be defended. Garfield
also promised them that when the spe-
cial appropriation that Brady asked for
should come before Congress he would
both advocate and defend it, and he
gave the most positive assurance that
he would do all in his power to set them
right. Later in the session, when the
subject came before the House, Garfield
not only did not use his influence, as he
had promised, but on the final vote
lodged responsibility by pairing, and left
the city. 1t is believed by Dorsey that
Garfield lodged the question from the
first; that he had obtained information
that he wished to use in the future, and
did not desire to go on record by voting.
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.
In the winter of 1880 political club
was organized in Philadel phia, the OBJ
iect of which was to defeat the nomi-
nation of both Grant and Blaine. 1t
was engineered by Wha1 ton Barker,
and among the members was Wayne
MacVeagh. At one of its meetings
several names were suggested as Presl-
dental candidates - Sherman. Ed
munds, Hawley and Garfield-the lat
ter's name being favorably received by
all except MacVeagh. who declared
Garfeld's Credit Mo5ilier record and
DeGolyer complications made the pro-
posal of his name absurd. Early in
the spring of 1880 Barker told Garfield
the position of the club as to his candi-
dacy and MacVeagh's opinion of it.
Later Garfield met Randolph Tucker,
of the House lobby, ard, in response to
his question who would be nominated
at Chicago, replied: ''I don't know.
It's as likely to be me as anybody"
Sherman heard of this. and, to coun-
teract the scheme of Garfield, selected
him to lead the Ohio delegation, in the
belief that Garfield would not betray
him. Garfield's manipulation of the
Ohio delegation in his own interest was
detected in the Convention by Conkling,
Dorsey and others. Garfield was nomi-
mated, and, at his earnest personal
solicitation, Dorsey was made Secre-
tary of the National Committee. ~
THE CAMPAIGN.
The campaign opened depressingly
for Garfield on account of Stalwart dis
affection. Dorsey was hopeful, but
Garfield desparing. Money came
slowly. The Indiana campaign was APP
preaching. Brady and Dorsey believed
money was the important factor in that
important campaign. Dorsey held that
money could not be raised without a
quid pro quo. Garfield consented, and
the Fifth Avenue conference was ar
ranged. The conference was held, and
to conciliate the New York Stalwarts
Garfield promised Levi p. Morton the
Secretaryship of the Treasury. Dupli
cate memoranda of the bargain was
made and preserved. This secured the
support of the New York Stalwarts, but
no money. Another agreement was
made by which syndicate of bankers
were to control, for small commission.
the refunding of the Government five
and six per cent. bonds, and in consid-
Grafton of such privilege they were
to contribute funds to the cam
paign. Within a week they contrib
uted 100000 to the campaign funds.
Operations have since shown that mil
lions were made by the syndicate for
their part in the corrupt bargains made
with Garfield. But Grant, Conkling
and Cameron were yet lukewar1n, and
Il visit for them was arranged at Ment-
or, which resulted in Conkling and
Grant taking the stump. In September
Dorsey went to Indiana to organize the
State, taking with him 100000 raised
in New York, which found its way into
local committees hands in new two
dollar bills. The result was that the
Democrats were showed under in Indi-
ana. Jay Hubbell called one day on
Brady and told him the Star-route con-
tractors ought to contribute at least
100000 to the campaign fund. Brady
said they were willing to do SO if Hayes
would so modify his order as to permit
it. Hubbell saw Hayes upon the sub
iect, but he refused to comply with
Brady's s't ssetion. Brady was then
asked if he y uld contribute if Garfield
should request It. While he had little
faith in Garfield. he finally consented to
comply with such :. request from Gar
field and the ''My Dear Hubbelp' letter,
that has since become famous, was
written and Brady contributed to the