The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-24

Assas sinatiOn was the Price He Paid
for His Inability to Say No.
WASHINGTON, D. O., Oct 90.
One of the most interesting Washing
ton correspondents is Mr.. VIM. Z. Cur
tbs, who writes for the Chicago Record.
He held position of responsibility in
the State Department under the last ad-
ministration. In his last letter, referring
to the charge made by Senator Sherman,
Mr.. Curtis writes:
Referring to Senator Sherman's mem
cries, Gen. Arson g. McCOok, city
chamberlain of New York, knows more
about the manner by which Garfeld's
nomination was accomplished in the con-
vention of 1880 than any one now living.
He and Amos Townsend, of Cleveland,
were then Representatives in Congress
and enjoyed closer intimacy with Gar
field than was ever the privilege of other
men. They knew his most sacred
thoughts and aspirations, and read his
soul whenever they cared to do so. They
went to the convention with him, and one
of them was almost always by his side,
endeavoring, think, to restrain him
from yielding to temptation and from
sacrificing his honor tosgratify his ambi-
tion. Both Townsend and McOook were
loyal to Sherman, and they knew that
there were intr CUES among the latter's
opponents to throw Garfield in his way,
Long before This trio left Washington
to attend the convention it was well I'M
derstood that an attempt would be made
to nominate Garfield, and nobody knew
that fact better than himself. | talked
with him about it one Sunday night at
his residence. He leaned with his ell
bows upon the piano in his parlor, and
explained to Mr.. Colburp, of the New
York Times, and myself the terrible
temptation that was before him. He
said that he was receiving quantiti, s of
letters every day, some of them
from delegates to the convention,
offering their support, and declaring
that if he would only hold his
peace and remain away from the con
vention nothing would prevent his nom
ination. He told us that he had an
swered very few of these letters, only
those from personal friends, and had in
variably urged them to use their infiu-
ence for the nomination of Senator Sher-
udu luStcdu VI uluSClls hC tOlO uo
frankly that the Presidency was the sum-
NIT of his ambition, but he didn't think
his time had come. He expected to be
elected to the Senate first, and was sat-
isfied with that promotion. There was
no doubt that he was sincere and that
he desired and intended to be loyal to
his candidate, but he always lacked
moral courage, and his assassination
was the penalty be paid for his inability
to say no.
On the afternoon of the first day of
the convention sat in Mr.. Conkling's
room at the Grand Pacific Hotel with
Judge Drummond and another gentle
man residing in Chicago, who was per-
sonal friend OF the Senator from New
York, but stranger to me. In the
course of the conversation it was sug-
gested that Gen. Garfield might be pro-
posed as candidate, and Judge Drum
mond asked Mr.. Conkling what he
thought about it. The latter replied
that Gen. Garfield was very eager for the
nomination, aud like young lady who
was expecting proposal of marriage,
was endeavorirg to appear Indifferent
with about the usual degree of success
He told us that certain members of the
New York delegation had several times
been asked to enter into a combination
with Garfeld's friends from other States
to assist in his nomination, and had been
offered the second place on the ticket as
well as the first place in the Cabinet in
case of an election.
Zone of these emissaries was referred
to me-" continued Mr. Conkling, in his
characteristic manner, land was kind
enough to say that might be Secretary
of State myself. as well as place one of
my friends in the chair of: Weep e . It
if would concur in the arrangements
that were being made to nominate Gen.
Garfield. 1 naturally asked him by
whose authority he made the proposition
He replied that he represented self
appointed committee or coterie of Gen.
Garfeld's frien1s and spoke by their per-
mission. | told him that their word
might be good for their votes in the con-
vention, but who had authorized him to
offer any man position in the Cabinet9
"'Can you bring me an offer of such
a character from Gen. Garfield himself 2
I asked
eyes he replied, Il am quite sure l
can do So
"'Then, said l." and Mr.. Conkling
drew himself up in his most imperious
manner, 81 should feel compelled to
decline the honor. Gen. Garfield is here
pledged to secure the nomination of Sen
atOr Sherman. If he is willing to violate