The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-08-02
THE DAMNING RECORD.
Guilty Secrets of the Repub-
lican Bosses.
The Party HOneyeOmbed with
Corruption and Leagued
with Crime.
True Story Of the Star Route
Steals.

The publication in the N. Y. Sun of
Dorsey's exposure of Star route secrets
causes q sensation, The publication
proves beyond a doubt that the Repub-
lican leaders knew of these swindles,
that the thieves were promised immu-
nifty If they would subscribe to the
Republican campaign fund, and that
the Republican party is rotten clear
through. A series of the most corrupt
and Infamous bargains are detailed,
showing that the Presidential CAM
paign Of 1880 was carried by the whole
sale use of stolen meney. 1t is proven
beyond doubt that Garfield and his
party managers acknowledged their
obligations to Brady and Dorsey. Gar
field had expressed the opinion that
Star route business, while Hubbell,
Jewell, Arthur and others had said
the Star route contractors ought to be
required to contribute literally because
they were getting large sums for their
work through the favor of the govern
ment.
After Garfield's nomination he
asked Dorsey to secure the cordial CO.
operation of sulking New York men.
Dorsey got up the Fifth Avenue Hotel
Conference. Fle held that money and
cooperation OF the Stalwarts were
necessary to success, and urged the
necessity of making the battle in In
diana ia October. Garfield invited
the New York men to meet him at
Mentor, but Dorsey insisted on Gar
fields visit to New York, and it was
made. A plain bargain was made with
the Stalwarts at the conference. They
wanted and were promised the ap-
pointment of Morton as Secretary of
the Treasury. They also asserted that
another formal memorandum was
drawn up. stipulating that the opera
| tion of re-funding government tives
and skies be given to such syndicate
| designated by the Stalwarts, and at
such & commission as should be fair.
The bargain was made, and the prob
lem of raising campaign funds was
solved. Conkling had heard of the
proposed refunding bargain, and not
wishing to have any part in it, re-
| manned away from the conference.
| Within week half million dollars
were subscribed for the Republicans,
and the Stalwarts jumped into the cam
vass. In the latter part of September,
after Dorsey had made the canvass in
Indiana, a special messenger was sent
| to him from New York with $400, 600,
all raised in New York, principally by
| MOrton's efforts. Then came the Re-
publican victory. More money must
! be raised, and Hubbell asked Brady if
| the Star route contributors could not
contribute $4,000. Brady said they
could but for Hayes order against
| political contributions. Aubbell tried
to get Hayes to authorize the subscrip-
ton, but failed. Brady then asked for
some document from Garfield, and the
latter wrote the famous MY dear
Hubbell" letter. This was written at
Dorsey's suggestion, Garfield first pro-
posing to write direct to Brady. About
| this time Garf1eld's hospitality at
| Mentor was abused, and Brady and
| Dorsey relieved his embarrassment.
During the campaign the Republican
managers claimed to discover that Jay
Gould had given $50,O0O to the Demo
cratic campaign fund in the fall OF
1880, and sent to him for contribu-
ton. He denounced Garfield's report
in the Black Friday investigation and
refused to subscribe. Garfield told the
Republicans he was surprised atGoulds
attitude, and said, if elected, he would,
if it fell to his lot, appoint Supreme
Court judge whose views in regard to
corporations were the same rs Gould's.
Gould asked for pledge in writing,
which 1t is understood still exists, and
Gould and another subscribed $3.50, 900.
More than two millions were raised
for the campaign. When Garfield
took James and MacVeagh into his
| Cabinet, he gave the most solemn as
surance to Conkling that the Stalwarts
| should be recognized, and Dorsey and
Brady should not be molested. Conk-
ling demanded that Robertson should
not be given the New York Collector.
ship, and denounced him bitterly.
Garfield pledged his word he would
not appoint Robertson. Next day
Robertson was nominated. Biain and
his friends in New York insisted upon
| It. The men who helped get Gould's
subscription telegraphed there must be
no delay, and Whitelaw Reid's per.
emptory telegram followed, 1t is said
it conveyed clear threat that if Rob
ertson was not appointed the Gould
agreement would bs published. Dor
sey fastened to Washington and called
on MacVeagh for an explanation, aud
was staggered to hear the Attorney
General say he expected to send him
to the penitentiary. He saw Garfield
who embraced him and said, Steve
old boy, don't worry go back to your
ranche." Dorsey went home, but on
learning that MacVeagh intended to
indict him he returned. Garfield
calmed him, and sent him transcript
of evidence against him. Blaine fell
sorry about the treatment of Dorsey
and began planning for the retirement
of MacVeagh and James. Guiteau'i
shot caused the star route prosecutions
to be handed over as legacy from the
old to the new administration.