The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-03-10
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NIacVeagh and James.

When General Garfield became President OF
the United States he called two nonentlties In
to his Cabinet, who, ever since his death, have
they Should never have been appointed.
They are both men OF small mental callbre,
and as Is natural with small minds they find
some satisfaction In abusing their betters.
These two men, Wayne yacvoagh, OF Penn
sylvania, and Thomas l.. james, OF New York,
are the authors OF the Star-Route PROSECUTIONS,
which they projected In revenge for Dorsey's
outspoken opposition TO their appointment to
places for which they were not qualified,
either by experience in the public service or
by mental endowments.
politician, as does MacVeagh, he only proves
Truth does not think Wayne Macveagh a
bad man.
He has not sufficient force OF character to
be bad, but his belief in a force OF character
which he does not possess makes him very
Macveagh is a talker, but his talk does lit
tie harm because he always talks twaddle, aud
II Is always about himself.
But James is a very different animal.
James Is n perfect Uriah Heep.
He Is very humble.
Unfortunately, like Urlah Heep, he exhibits
n malicious spirit under his cloak OF humil.
Ii was James and not Macveagh who Is
publicly tho author OF the scandal In regard to
Guiteau's crime. 1t seems that Lawyer Cook
told President Garfield that there was danger
OF some kind from the virulence OF the STAR
Route defendants because OF the vlrulence OF
the persecution. Cook did not and docs not
pretend that his suspicious had any founda-
ton In fact. But James knew OF his fears and
now, long after the event, he retails the story
OF Cook q fears like an old woman repeating
gossip which she heard in her girlhood OF peo.
| pie OF whom she knew nothing.
Nobody thinks for a moment that the Star
Route cases had anything to do with the as.
| sassination OF President Garfield.
That crime was simply the act OF m adman.
II Guiteau had had accomplices he would
have tried to save his own neck by exposing
| them. From first to last the assassin chung 70
the same story. According to his own belief II
| was God who was his accomplice-it was God
who Ninspired" him to commit murder.
"No one but God and me know anything
about It," was his assertion at tho time OF his
| arrest.
| thing about II, as have often told YOU" was
his assurance TO his counsel, Mr.. Charles Ii
| Reed, the day before his execution. "rhat II
the truth, as expect to meet my God to'mor
| Indeed It is not improbable that GarnslC
/ was not the assassin's Intended victim.
| Blaine was the man who had given him OF
| Blaine had encouraged duiteau's hope Of
| ONCE Just as he was encouraging Shipherd a
| the same time, but finding that the applican
| was friendless tramp the Secretary OF STATE
had him contumeliously kicked from the Stat
| Department.
Being a lunatic he shot the wrong man, ant
| while he was trying to get at his Intended vic
| lin the right man ran away.
But why is tho story OF duiteau's crime re
lsyiyed at this time through the absurd gOssll
| which James told TO Springer's committee2
| MacVeagbS rather than James, answers.
Itmeans hostility 10 President Arthur-onl!
| this and nothing more.
James was made the tool OF MacYeagh, 4
become which he was all the more ready be
cause the two incompetents had common
cause.
They both supposed that they were In heart
accord with Garfield while no lived. The on
had been kicked out or Arthur's Cabinet, ant
the other ran away. They were both coward
and both were afraid OF the cases which Ia,
been born OF their malice when they believe,
mat these cases would DO disposed OF or
| their merits.
Now In their spite and disappointment the
are looking for a new victim.
| They strike at Arthur,
But towards that they are, they do nc
meet him mRnfully-they do not oppose hlt
openly, butseek to wound him with Parthia
| arrows.
"where did he land at lastP" Mr.. Syringe
| asked, speaking OF Rerdell.
SIN shame and everlasting contempt" wa
| the response.
These words are a forecast OF the fate tha
! awaits MacVeagh and James.