Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-21
WITHIN AN ACE OF A DUEL.
Garfield's Explanation to voorhees, th'
only Preventative Of "a Challenge.

Garfield's Explanation to Voorhees, the
only Preventative Of "a Challenge.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-Did you ever
know that Garfield and VOORHEES, came
within an ace OF lighting duel, and that
Morrison came near carrying the chal-
lenge2 Neither did until the other day,
when a well-informed Western statesman
told me this story: "Gar6eId, VOORHEES, and
Morrison" he said, ''were all members Of
the House of Representatives In the Thir-
ty-eighth Congress, Garfield and Morrison
having left the army to serve their first
terms. Voorhees, had served In the Thir-
ty-seVenth Congress. Voorhees, and Nor
rison boarded in the same house, but
we're not particularly well acquainted.
One day during a heated debate In the
House Garfield said Of some statement
that Voorhees, made, 'lf the gentleman
from Indiana asserts that, be as
serts an unqualified falsehood." Ia
the din and confusion OF the con-,
iiict Voorhees, did not catch Gar
fields interruption, but while correcting
the proof OF his speech late that evening"
in his dressing gown and slippers he came
across ~. AT first he could not believe his
eyes. But when he had read it twice he
saw that it was there, and he saw othat
something would have 10 be- done about it,.
Either Garfield must withdraw that re-
mark o. something would happen. AS he
sat thinking about 1t he remembered that
Morrison lived 10 the same house with
him, and determined that he would seek his
advice. SO he put on his coat and his
boots, and went % MorrisOn's room. Nor
rison was still up, fortunately. and listens
cd very attentlvely to all that Voorhees,
had 20 say. "Well,D he said, finally.
"what you say is true. Either Garfield
must withdraw the statement, or y0M
must ask him TO give you satisfaction ini
the other way.o "HOu mean that mustl
challenge him Y' asked Voorhees,. "Yes,'s
said Morrison. "But, do you know that
II is statutory Ofiense, punishable With
fine ard imprisonment to carry
a challenge in the District Of Colum-
bia," said Voorhees,. lstYes." said
Morrison again. "Well," said Voorhees,
''whO could | get 10 carry my challenged
il should send oneY' ~ would carry
it,v said Morrison. "But first am going
to Garfield and ask him TO Withdraw his
Objectionable words. | think he will do
it. II not / will call on him again." so
of he went 10 Garfield's lodgings. Gar
field was reading "Juyenal,' wrapped in
his bed-gOwn with his feet in his slippers,
Morrison presented tie case to him.
Garfield looked surprised. He had no
recollection, he said, Of making such a
remark.
Morrison showed him the damp proof
sheet. Still Garfield doubted that he had
uttered the words attributed 10 him, IN
he had IL was IN the heat OF tho debate,
and be was very sorry for them. Very
good" said Morrison, "draW yOur PEN
through them and state on the margin
that you did So" Garfield complied with
alacrity and Morrison took the proof back
TO Voorhees, marked as he had suggested.
Voorhees, WAS delighted with the outcome
and he and Morrison have been the best of
friends ever since.
MATERIAL FOR A GOOD STORY.
l.. u. Letter was the junior member for,
many years Of the great dry goods hrm
of Field a. Letter I'm Chicago. The iirml
was so successful that when the partnersl
quarrelled and separated each had for
tune. Field continued IN business. Letter
retired and devoted his energies 70 "get-
ting into sOciety.S As he was very richi
/ DO not see why he did not get into
Chicago society. Most rich Chlcag0l
people do. But for some reasons
which must therefore have been personal
TO himself, he did not get on well In Chi
cago. SO be moved down 20 Washington.
which furnishes many social aYeuuess
and rented Blaiue's new house on Dupont
Circle, for which Blaine bad no further
use, having found that he could not afford
for several reasons 10 live Ia II. He made
quite "a splurge," as 10 ls called II
believe In Chicago, IN a certain sort OF
society here, and by dint Of interchangeable
attention TO the men and women who
write society paragraphs" he got good
deal Of advertising. When be couldn't
md a "soclety reporter 10 tell his news
to, be very frankly sontit himself 20 one 0f
the city newspapers. But with II all Letter
was sbrcwd enough 10 see that be had
missed the social success at which
he bad aimed. He was very unc0m-
Portable until last March, when
Postmaster General Villas, with whom
be- had had some acquaintance, consented
10 be bis guest for time at the mansion
on Dupont Circle. Villas, OF course, knew
nothing Of Letters social position, and
dd not hesitate 10 incur social obllga-
tlons which Letter will now expect 70
see discharged. ~ is even said By Lei
ter'a friends that he not only expects his
friend. the Postmaster General, 10 give
him the entroe into tie best society, but
70 have him sent abroad az minister 70
Germany in the event that Minister Pen-
dlet0n returns. This story would make q
good novel II itwerc padded a little.