Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-12-16
Gnreita Dailp 9entinel.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 1s. 1884:
GEN. SWAIN.

history OF now we are governed. Ouch
is often the most important part of the
narrative Of national life. In a change
Of political administration, the bringing
to light of this unwritten work is n OF
the most valuable results. The follow
ing sketch Of the life and scheme OF
Swaim's elevation to the Judge Advocacy
we take from the Pittsburg Leader. The
surrounding circumstances are such as to
make people believe that it is a substan'
TALLY true story:
Visiting an Allegheny home is an old
gentleman whose home is in Ohio. He
is . member of the bar. and is now hold
ing a government appointment at Wash.
ington. In a conversation upon the
Swain trial last night, he gave q brief
sketch Of the Judge Advocate General as
follows: "Just after the war, Swain,
who had considerable reputation as q
petty striker and small political wire
puller, was employed by Gen. Garfield
to do some work for him among the rural
wales. Swain did his work well. He
had no conscientious scruples and faith
fully obeyed every instruction given
him. As q reward for this Garfield took
him to Washington and appointed him
clerk of his committee. In 1865 the
clerkship expired, but Swain had got q
start. Naturally selfish and %penurious,
he had boarded at the cheapest lodgings
and saved most of his salary. which he
materially increased by lending out at
usurious rates of interest. He went
back to Ohio with a big scheme under
his hat. He wanted to be admitted to
the bar. H did not know any law, and
his time was too valuable to waste in
reading. In his village was q brilliant
lawyer who had lost caste through dis
sipation. To him Swain went and said
that he wanted to be admitted to the
bar. He promised not to try to practise
about home, but said he would go to
Minnesota as quick as he got his certif-
cate. He said he was going into the
real estate business there, and if he could
put attorney.at.law on his sign it would
help him. But you don't know a.
thing about law said Jim. You
couldn't answer the first question
Swain replied; I know that. bnt you
must arrange il ALL Jim said: We'll.
if I get you in, Swain. I'll have to lie
like about il, and Til have to charge
you about $780, AN right said Swain,
I'll pay you as quick as I get the certi6-
CATE The bargain was struck. and in a
few days Slippery Jim made a motion in
court to have a commission appointed to
examine Swain for admission to the bar.
He handed the Clerk of Courts the names
Of two other lawyers to put on the COM
mittee with himself. Jim directed
Swain to order o room at the hotel, in
which was to be opened lunch with
plenty of whisky and . box of cigars.
Swain said: But I have no money with
me. I'll order the stuff in your name.
and pay for it when I come in againI
All right says Jim. and the goods were
ordered. At the end of the orgie Swain
emerged . lawyer but did not 60 to Min
nesota. Neither did he ever pay Jim for
the whisky, cigars, ETC., nor his fees of
$50. When the latter asked him for it
Swain replied: oh, HI, Jim, you are
only in fun. You never intended to
charge me q fee.'
During Swaim's residence in WASH
ington he obtained q strong hold upon
Gen. Garfield. Garfield was always
financially embarrassed. His thrifty
committee clerk was always ready to
lend him money at q high rate of interest.
It was not long after Swaim's so-called
admission 10 the bar, through Garfeld's
influence, he was appointed Judge Ad.
vocate with the rank of Major. His
chances for turning . penny were natur-
ally increased. He lent money ct high
rates to needy officers and spent little
upon himself, ~sponging from every one
with whom he came in contact. He was
q great poker player. but would never
bet unless he had . sure hand. His in
innate relations with Garfield continued,
and ct the time Of the latter's nomi.
nation Swain had . mortgage upon Gar
fields house for more than it would bring
him at . forced sale. A large portion Of
this money was lost. it is said, at the
poker tables. Garfield was very fond of
the game, but was proverbially nnlucky.
All through Garfeld's campaign Swain
was his most intimate adviser, and, owing
to his financial obligations, the General
could not shake him of. So notorious
was this relation that Garfield preferred
to get Hayes to appoint Swain Judge
Advocate General. This was done by
Car6ald promisino To apnoint STANLEY