The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-01
BEN HILL,s POLITICAL PROJECT.


ExisSAng f1rty Lines.
New York World.
Colonel Frank A. Burr enjoyed an intimate ac-
Quaintance with him. ben Hiin said Colonel
Burr yesterday, twas the originator of one of
the biggest political projects ever attempted in
this country Soon after General Garfield was
elected, Democrats, leading men like Hill, fear
ing that men of the Malone stamp would get
the upper hand, entered into an organization
for the preservation of what they were pleased
to call the better elements. North and South.
The movement looked to revolutionizing all ex-
listing party lines Hill wrote to General Garfield,
broaching the subject. Garfield responded,
asking for particulars as to the plan. They
were given, and when Garfield came to Wash
ington to take the oath of Office there was con-
ference between the President-elect and the
leading men of the South An agreement was
made then In BRIEF the terms were something
like this: The Southern gentlemen were to all
sign their names to circular acknowledging
that the war was over, in fact, and that the
results growing out of it were all accepted in
good faith by the Southern people. They also
recognized that we were one people, and that the
Northern citizens had no desire to humilate their
Southern brethren. All this was to be stated in
clear and diplomatic way. Then, the Southern
statesmen agreed to accept the financial policy
of the Republican party For this General Gar
field agreed to turn over the federal patronage in
the South to the Southern Senators. The plan
was approved by Blaine and il 1t had been
carried out it would have broken up the two ex-
listing parties of to-day. Garfeld's death nipped
the project in the bud 1t needed patronage to
carry it out.
Senator Hill told me the story himself, when
l met him in Philadelphia, where he was under
going surgical operation his tongue He
said he would give me the correspond
ence between General Garfield and himself,
as he thought it should be published. Well, he
returned home to Georgia; second operation
was performed CD his tongue, and shortly after
he passed away. Just before his death,
however, he wrote me a letter, saying
that it was his wish that l should
have this correspondence. After his death
wrote note to Ben Hill, jr., inclosing his
fathers letter. and asked him to please
forward the correspondence to me. The son re-
piled, saying that he recognized bis fathers
wish in the matter. and would comply with my
request if insisted on it, but the family thought
that the publication of the letters would arouse
a useless controversy, and hoped I would not
press the point, and did not.
II can testify that the main point of the story
is true" said MIR. Frank Hatton, who was stand
ing by. 'When went into the Postofice De-
partment," he continued, II found that all the
postofice patronage in the South had been
turned over to the Democrats. For instance, /
found written across Florida case, do nothing
until you hear from Senator Call or Jones' 1t
was the same in tine other Southern States, but
l am afraid paid very little attention to these
notes. did not believe in building up the Re-
publican party in that way"