Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-03
IESIDENT GARFIELD AND THE
STAR ROUTERS,
What VIM. A. Cook Says.

showed payment Of $1,000 to Mr.. Cole, Mr.. Cooks
law partner. Mr.. Cook declared with some en-
phass: "That is an absolute misstatement. Mr..
Cole and myself are only limited partners In civil
connection"
In the first place." continued Mr.. Cook, after
Gazette TO the effect that President Garfield did
NOT know him, was dis2usted with his appoint
ment, me H. and that there was no truthful foundation
tons with the President "In the first place 1t is
simply absurd to say that Garneld did not know
the prominent politicians, as is well
known, Tor many years. and Garfield
was wa ,,a1.o not an an exception, and he could
he have said that it was his Intention to remove
me, unless 1T was to escape the pressure OF few
personal enemies OF mine. know that vigorous
effort was made by very few to have this done,
but that signally failed The confidential relations
between the President and me in regard to the
cases existed from shortly after my employment.
Up to that time had no conference with MIN In
regard 10 the cases at ALL On Thursday before
dis assassination had
LONG INTERVIEW WITH HIM
and was present In connection with two others, II
remember correctly, on Tuesday or Wednesday
night PRIOR between the hours OF 10 and II O'Clock
According to repeated decisions or opinions the
district attorney, with the general and special
attorneys, are under the control OF the President,
ana 1t was therefore proper that the President
should communicate to them the views or prin-
ctples by which he wished them to be governed.
Attorney General, but was possible and proper to
enable the President himself by gathering infor-
NATION from all sources to form as perfect and
correct view OF the cases, both with q view to
the spirit In which they should be conducted and
the manner, as possible. He did only what was
manifestly proper.
NOT IN ALLIANCE WITH THE DETECTIVES
''My retention could not have been the result OF
any relation with well-known gang Of detec-
tives," referring to another newspaper statement,
s'for mad none. 1t could not have been that the
President expressed disgust when my appoint
it was public and not private appoint ment,
and to appear in court properly, with the concur
renee OF Mr.. Justice Cox, the appointment was
filed and made OF record and no one VINO had any
respect for the President would place him
In The ridiculous position or cOnSent1ng to an ap-
pOintment which involved public action, and then
complaining because 1t Was mad, public. The
fact is, My appointment was wholly unsolicited,
and was invited to accept 1t by the government,
CT which the late President Garfield was then the
actual head, and did So"
THE PRIVATE INTERVIEWS wIfH GARFIELD.
''As respects my private interviews With the
President" continued the lawyer, "the New York
Sun says that the Attorney General had no part
in these secret conferences. though he came to
have knowledge OF them. 1t is 10 be presumed
that the sun would not make so positive state
ment edtOrtally, il the secret conferences had not
existed. 1t Is unfair to President Garfield to
with me in relation to the cases. that
therefore it vas not his purpose to carry
on the prosecution. The only fair construction Is
ma tion in relation to them which he could, SO as
to act fairly and ntelligently In regard to them.
That he intended, alter acquiring such inIorma-
General and from all other sources available. to
act acc ordlng to his deepest convictions OF right
an and propTiety In relation 70 the cases have no
required OF him"
'PRoTHCTING GARFIELD"
SIT is said,' continued Mr.. Cook, after looking
over an editorial in yesterdays New York World,
"that 1 desire to protect Garfield. I only desire
that the actual facts, so far possible, be made
l was in consultation with Dorsey and Brady, or
that conveyed to them the Presidents views and
acted as their mouthpiece TO the President
ha sF65sn ma to aeP Brady he until was
indicted, and then only Incidentally. had no
personal knowledge OF any arrangements, II there
President One Of the expressions used by the
President to me, and which have subsequently
used myself. was this, that while no one really
no one apparently innocent should be convicted or
unnecessarily pursued His own anxiety and pur-
pose seemed to be to get at
THE ACTUAL FACTS OF THE CASES,
from all available sources, so that he could form
full and perfect views OF the relation of the par
ties apparently involved, to the cases. and in this
cautious and wise method, the selected President
of the people, responsible to them, to decide what
ought to be done. He was not disposed, while
and influential members Of the party, to use any
improper or unauthorized means to protect them
from the most rigid Investigation. His only
which would be intelligent Justice, done to the
United States On the one hand and the suspected
and accused parties on the other. 1t surprised
been made or entertained by any one in relation
to the President"