The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1884-03-08

hsw Garfield Prsssaisd Its Use IN lie til
asz-HzTss Contest

Hsv erasla PrsTsuisd Its Use in lie til
ds1-Hzgss Contest
IN. Y. Worlds Washington Special
Washington, Feb. 2f.-At a din
ner party given during the past
week Senator elect Blackburn, Of
Kentucky, told the following in
teresting story, which he says was
told him by Gen. Garfield, at a So
eial gathering at which Alexander
II. Stephens and other prominent
Democrats were present. The
stirring events of the closing days
of the session of 1S76-77 were the
topics Of conversation, and some
Of the party were commenting on
the narrow escape of the country
from a bloody struggle. 1t was
agreed BY all that if it had not
been for the great self-control Of
the members Of both parties, and
the real patriotism of the Demo-
Gratis, evil war would certainly
have broken out. Gen. Garfield
here came in with a high compli-
ment for the Democrats. He said
that perhaps none of them really
knew how great the danger was
at that time. He added that he
thought he had been the means OF
breaking up a foolish programme
which some Republicans had act
ually arranged, and which, il car
ried out, would certainly have re.
suited in . bloody outbreak.
"Now," said Gen. Garfield, "as we
are talking among ourselves as
gentlemen, and not az politicians,
have no hesitation in telling you
what that programme was" In.
stantly there was the most pro-
found attention. Gen. Garfield
continued, after moments pause,
in which he lighted fresh cigar,
to say that there was nearly a
panic among the Republican lead.
ers during the days Immediately
preceding the passage of the Elec-
toral Commission bill. 1t was be.
lieved by some that the filibusters
would be able to defeat the count
and leave the country on the 4th
of March, without an Executive.
Late on the last day of the debate
Garfield was summoned to an i'm
portant conference Of the Repub.
lican leaders. Garfield did not
say who were present, or where
it was held, but from what follow
ed it was inferred that the Presi-
dent aud bis Cabinet and the Gen
eral of the Army we're there.
Garfield said be arrived very late.
The conference had just cenclu-
dod its work. Upon bis asking
what subject had been discussed
aud what conclusion reached, he
was told that those present be-
lieved the filibusters IN the House
had the power to defeat the count
unless extraordinary measures
were employed. II had been
agreed, therefore, to march 6OC
men from the Arsenal at 8 O'Clock
the next morning to the Capito.
and station them IN tho basement
of the House ready to be marched
up into the House lobby and upor
the floor Of the House itself IL nee
essary, when the House met. The
filibusters were then to be notified
by an order from the President
that persistent filibustering in the
face Of the situation would b,
treated as an act Of rebellion, ant
the objecting members would b.
arrested and carried out"
! Garfield said that he deneunce'
this programme and opposed 1t Il
the extent of his ability. Hesai'
such an act would arouse th
country to a pitch of madness
and that blood would flow In tn
streets Of every city in the cour
try. His objections were not lii
tened to until he said that If thi
resolution was persisted in b
should 60 to the telegraph oflic
and denounce the whole thing t
the country.