The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-07-26
THE GARFIELD NOMINATION.
Interview with Wharton Barker,
the Man Who Suggested II.

Erc, ETC, Erc,



Tho publication of the Dorsey disclosures
In the New York SUM has brought TO thu
front Mr. Wharton Barker, OF phla.
delrhiA During ricf interview, Mr. Bar
ker admitted that the management of tho
Garfield campaign at Chicago, before and
utter the convention of June, 1881, was
wholly In his hands
@fhe oft-fepcatcd chnrgta,' liz added,
@that tho late President Guriield Mns nus
true to the lion John sherman know tobo
absolutely falsA Bnt IN ! some dls propose
10 write history of the movement which
led TO darncd's nomination and election, |
can 70 day only produce cory Of connected
memorandR prcpated hy me eighteen
months ago, but never rubisht d.
The memoranda referred to comprise q
batch OF correspondence forming com.
plcte narrative vi the events that occurred
prior to June, lss1 These indicate almost
conclusivey that the movement To bring
Gen Garfield 10 tho front Us tho Republican
candidate Tor the Pre- ,ideney had Is origin
IN Philadelphia, und was lrought about ut
Wharton Barker The movement first
manifested sell 10 early M May,
ls.N, In the editorial columns OF
the i.aa KntLty, pcr,od cal
controlled by Barker IL was not un-
tl De- ~, 1879. however. that Mr. narker
fields possible candidacy. On that date he
addressed sictter to the General hims slf
anu after personal conference with him
early in January, $50 active steps were taken
Tor immediate orga alton. Under date OF
Feb :, 1880 Mr.. Barker wrote 10 Gen. Gar
Held, stating among other things
The opposition 10 . on here year or two
since was very great. under tho lellef that
you were a free-trattcr; but Your letter To me
called out by short article in the itaa
would not do, and why You would do. has
changed the opposition into suprork In u
word, that letter of yours. stating how YOU
became member OF the Col den Cub, In
my hands, and those of such men o | saw
ut 10 place It. has worked the change
Mi. BARKER. on April ~. addressed letter
to the late President in which he said:
AT my offi,c this morning. had con
ference with the Hon Wayne MACY eagh and
Mr. James McManos. which l bel eve viii
result in public declaration on tho art Of
Mr. McManes the whole Philadelphia dele
cation aud OF many . antrs de.es sas6k 10 u
Chicago Convention Ibis move am quito
sure will end the Grant movement tho
country over. and 50 far viii hc u great
gam. III. move VI ut nrst 4 Mr.. III ina;
but he iesc understand how to move -
as To kill Aim, aud ut the Chicago Conven-
tion hope tae nomination viii 10 ~ we
want to have II
In rep4y to tbs Gen Garie.a said:
1T is becoming every day more al,narent
that the ffieIdi ot he leading Pre- i,leat al
cands dates are beeoin,ASs cgi.nl.lersl Il INST
each other, To such IA eNteat ehst !, h en-
ever of the three may be nemia ted ihars
would be much hostll ot Ice M in the
conduct OF the campaign. Ii vii he most
unfortunate IL We - sAto tho caGl,.al.n
handicapped by the aaimosities of the ad-
Ing politicians
tn May III Mr. McManes received this note
from Mr. Barker.
4 want ta sec You b. fore noon Ii nc ss;hlc.
lou can make a move IN LII naix that viii
without doubt de Try Grant's ehanoes. sn4
make your voice alr,osf ~nl eas,ae sta1ntcs -
June : Please let me kn " Mnra oan -
you shall be at my Office al DAY.
Tn July II, after the Chicaga Convention,
Gen. Garfield wrose as follows 10 Mr.. Barker.
More than manth has now laSsed sinca
the Chicago nomi, atoms, and On the whole
think things are looking n wei as We can
expect. IN view ~ the great disanrolntment
many uf our friends tetI In taiains - receive
their choice. ! think, however, tlat tho
party il settling down 70 ca nest work. wi b
many elements IN our favor that have rarely
worked in harmony IL will b. Il closO
struggle. and We have a fighting chance TO
Min We will meet all the wisdom and .
fort Of our best men 70 make il success full.
Tn Oct II, Cen Garfield wrose again,
saying;
esAAuA - H0IGN NtCtOSNs 4ut Nt1Ipiy 1u
Onto and Inuiana was not partial in 50 lar as
those States We're concerned. hut 10 can only
be utilized by pushing the enemy N every
contested point Now Is tie favorable mo-
nent TO ask for further eAertiioM and
hope you will not relax any OF tho tne en-
contest Is ended
Gen GARFIELD again wrote to Mr. Barker.
on Jan I. 1881, rs follows:
Yours OF the LIST inst received note
what YOU say ia reference To the Senatorial
conflict now pending In Pennsylvania Any
lnumation or prctense FROM any quarter
that ltAve taken part is without the least
foundation The vciy essence of good gov
eminent requires the free action of the
people and their represen entativ.S in their
election OF Representatives and Senators,
Tho visit Of Senator Cameron here had no
reference to that subject II 1 am quoted
by any one n having expressed any pur-
pose TO interfere, he has done me wrong.
Please tell mo to what you allude when YOU
cay dangerous promises have been made
with seeming authoritygs
Mr. BARKER wrote on Jan 10; In answer
10 your question, have to inform you that
Senator Cameron, en- his return from Men,
tor, began taking An active Part iii the SEN
atorial campaign. II was then given out
that he had been called to Mentor. that 1t
was matter OF choice for him wheth II he
accepted for himself or one OF his friends q
seat In your Cabinet that voters need es-
pect nothing from Washington fer them
selves and their friends, for the old dis tri-
button Of patronage was TO hc revived un-
less they gave their votes for lha Camegsa
nominee"
The last letter OF the batch ID luon 0cns
Garfield. on Jan l3 lSSl. In thie ~ nya:
Tho report 10 which you refer 4 aho1ln1o-
IL without foundation The nonEleDan
named came here OF his own acco. Il on hus-
ness not at all connected with either or tae
tAs.4s> 49, tx.t, ehs.
quite conhden. he could not have author
lied any such report The cause OF sound
politics eyerywaeie requires the utmost
freedom of action IN regard TO the choice of
persons to hold Office, whether To he Sena.
tors or members of the Calumet