The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-04
Garfield and Dorsey.

+ w ASHINGTON,, IL. T., Dec. 2l--Ihe
published correspondence between
Garfield and Dorsey reveals nothing
that, was not substantially known in
weil-infoTmed- circles here. But ii
serves to expose the falsity of those
"friends and admirers" of the late
president who are engaged in erecting
NJ 1numepts to his memory. and who,
with a full knowledge of, his intimate
relations with Brady, Dorsey, and. 9TH
-er star-Toutess, haP represented. Dor
sey as self-seeking intruder upon
The intimacy between Garfield and
Dorsey dates bae$ twenty years. 1t
became closer anf strengthened when
they met togethirsi in Congress, and
when, as niembdS of the two appro-
priation commits les, they Joined hands
in Voting Boss Shepherds ring 81. Sea-
900 in six weeks and in supporting
other jebbery equity outrageous and
corrupt! 5r,il II
Garfield, as chairman of the house
committee, had immense power in his
hands, and he exercised it habituaily
whenever the dance Offered in the
interest of public plunderers. With
less position in the senate, Dorsey had
great energy, aid driving as we'll as
bargaining capacity at a time when
votes were freely exchanged among
the traders in legislation. Hence he
keHlcientiy secuted the schemes that
came from the house, and very often
fortified then with multiplying
amendments.
Dorsey kneT from his personal con-
neotioas, as we'll as from his familiar
intercourse with Garfield, in what jobs
the "sainted resident" was most con-
.cerned, and lie kept the secret well,
with perhaps the belief that Garfield
was not ignSrant of his own opera
tions, rs, Even. as. fast. and conhding
friends theyNatched each other, and
were prepaid ofor, retaliation in case
of an emergency. ''-a 3 a. -v-.'s ,-s,
Garfield nger actually intended to
prosecute lbrsey:. He did for him
what Grant had done for Babcock.
This is to sif, he had syllabus made
of the case ;sainSt him, with extracts
from the 0oks, and delivered the
papers ove'to Dorsey for his informa-
ton and Instruction. He did more
than thisas the late attorney general
well knofs, because the information
may be raced almost directly to his
door. -.
Ate Garfield was fully appraised of
all thefactS. of the proposed proSecu-
ton, Il asked Mr.. Mac Veagh whether
the ublic interest would not be
servIi by correcting the abuses in the
futue, and giving the administration
the jenefit of the so-called reform.
Els to the credit of Mr.. MacVeagh
tbG he declined to assent to this
imposition, for two reasons. First,
Because it might subject him to the
tsharge OF having been seduced by the
tar reuters, or, secondly, of having
ZEN influenced by the president to re-
feat from the position he had taken.
lie could do neither without loss OF
haracter.
This exchange of views took place
hort time before the late president
vas Frustrated by the bullet of
iuiteau; and perhaps it may have in
luenced Mac Veagh in declining to re-
nain longer than he did in Arthur's
tabinet, or to take any part in the star
I'oute trial.
1t has been suggested if Garfield had
lived, he would have elbowed Mac
,Eeagh ont of the cabinet in order to
lave Dorsey and his confederates.
Perhaps Garfield would have desired
o get rid of Mac Veagh, and he would
lot have, hesitated to promise Dorsey
hat the attorney general should be
ismiSSed.
but Garfield would never have dar-
l to take that step, much as he might
ave wished it to be taken. His cour-
1 ge would have ooZed out at the fin
ers' ends whenever he approach
d the time for positive ac-
ON. He might have sought
back door OF escape for Dorsey,
moving how many secrets were in
Is possession that Garfield dreaded to
AVe.s the light OF MONDAY. But
1.-THE pinch,had ever come when the
coice of alternatives was absolutely
pesented, he would have sacrificed the
f1st friend in the world to have saved
hnself from harsh criticism.
arield was a. moral coward who
alAy$ had to be brsleed up, and some
tines with dutch courage" What
he died convictions were the expedi-
entof The party OF wlich he was 4
slal OF the two. Dorsey is by far
ithebetter man, for he has generous
quaths, and is faithful to his friends
ship however bad they may be. And
he h3lnanhood which does not quail
II Il hourof danger.