Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-05
ARTHUR's AID TO BLAINE.
Senator Hawley Tells What the Presi-
dent Authorized Him to Publish.

SPRINGFIELD, MASS, Jan. 4.-Senator
Hawley has furnished for publication the
following statement: II have been several
times interviewed, especially within
day or two, concerning statements and
discussions in newspapers relating to the
management Of the Republican National
Committee, and various references to the
attitude of President Arthur in the late
campaign, and an editorial in the Nd-
ttOnGl Republican Of Jan. particularly
calls upon me to testify concerning
certain interviews with him. l do so
cheerfully, as he has certainly been
misunderstood. At the headquarters of
the Republican National Committee in
New York, early in August last-I have
no means oftixing the precise day-during
a conversation between certain members
of the committee and myself, something
was said about the position of President
Arthur and the desirability of obtaining
some additional manifest statiOna of SYM
pathy and cooperation from hlm, both for
the sake of its general effect and its local
influence upon the Presidents personal
friends and old political associates in
New York. In response to a suggestion
l said that was quite willing to speak to
him about it at the first opportunity, and
l did so soon afterward, at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, where he was then stay
ing. He answered frankly and cordially.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
In some cases l can give his precise
phrases. In all respects the tone, intent
and spirit of what he said was as follows:
''Certainly 1 am willing to do or say any,
thing that reason and the proprieties of
my position may permit. participated
in the organization of the Republican
party and have been an active, Jealous
and devoted Republican ever since. If
ever scratched a single name
on a Republican ticket L don't
remember it. Those who are some
tunes designated as my friends
my associates in many vigorous cam
paigns, so far as l know are right. hope
that is true of every one of them, or if it
is not that it will be. During the con-
test for the nomination some of Mr.
Blaine's friends said things not agreeable
to me. and probably the same is true of
some of my friends in relation to him..
The differences before the convention
have nothing to do with our duty now.
Instantly upon the nomination of Mr..
Blaine l telegraphed him an assurance of
my cordial support, and continue in that
purpose. In my opinion the success
of the Democratic party would be very
great misfortune to the country. l hope
everybody knows that these are my
Opinions.) The only doubtful point is as
to whether it is of any use to state them
all. This ought to be taken for
granted. Remember the French
proverb Qui S'ercuSe S'dccuSe. Manufac-
turing an opportunity to justify myself
might tempt people to say, Well, what of
it? who said anything to the contrary?
But / am willing to leave this question of
eXpediency to my friends" To Obviate
any objection to the Presidents MAX
ing a statement on his own behalf
l remarked that | should be questioned
as soon as l returned to the Republican
headquarters, and l might answer by Ie-
peating what is quoted above, save so
much as in brackets, and letting the press
have it in the form of an interview, say
ing that the President authorized me to
print il. "Certainly," replied the Presi-
dent, "I have not the least objection in
the world to your giving that to anybody
publicly or privately, now or at a later day,
as representing my attitude" l hastily
wrote brief statement in accordance
with this idea and the President said that
it was entirely satisfactory.
TOLD TO JONES.
Ireturned to headquarters before long
and reported the conversation to Mr..
Jones, Chairman of the National Commit
tee, with whom was either Mr.. Elkins or
Mr.. Chaffae. The matter was discussed.
1t was acknowledged that there was
force in what the President
said about the eXpediency of
any statement that might look like
self-detense in advance, and it was agreed
that the subject might as we'll be Tempo
rarily left as it was, and that a moment
might arrive in a week or two when a
statement might be more appropriate and
useful. again went to the Presidents
hotel. He was out or busy, and 1 left for
aim m 1CvsqT n ny
written on an envelope, of which the fol-
lowing is true copy:
Mr.. President: l have had a pleasant con-
versatlon with Mr.. Jones, and his views are
as near your own as if you two had been con-
ferrng. L concur entirely, and shall say do
nothing about the matter. Possibly fort
night hence there may be more value in some
thing of the kind. Respectfully,
HAwLEY.
went away, engaging actively in the
campaign, and did nothing more in the
business, though | met the President
afterward during the naval exercises at
Newport. Only casual reference was
made to the subject there. The campaign
is over. The Republicans are defeated.
l respectfully submit that criticisms and
recriminations are not profitable. The
Republican National Committee worked
with most admirable zeal and energy,
and, l doubt not, is fully conscious that it
had a deep and earnest desire to
do exactly the right thing,
always considering the tremendous
difficulties that developed themselves.
The result was a splendid demonstration
of the vitality of the Republican party.
Soon after Gen. Arthur succeeded to the
Presidency, referring to some newspaper
speculations about his purposes, he said:
"0ne thing l do mean to do, l mean to
make it possible for the Republican party
to carry the Presidential election in lSS4.v
l think he did that. Let US have peace.
j. r.. HAWLEY.
CpATN,S = OOO CORpSES