Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

President Garfield, doomed to o tragic
exit from life shortly after he took
p;5.,. office fifty years ago, had
1resluent his troubles almost I'M
Trouhles mediately after inaugu-
Jor and some were minor matters. In
respect to the latter, The Star Of March
20, 1881, said:
IAN impression that President Gar
held is counselor and adviser general
OF this people, as well as the dispenser
OF unlimited patronage, seems to have
taken possession OF many minds. Al
most daily the newspapers report the
arrival OF some delegation at the White
House with an earnest request to see
the President. The delegation some
times represents a colonization scheme,
or political project, or an educational
proposition, but the Presidents advice
is considered essential whatever the
subject may be. In addition to advice
the delegation or committed usually
presents some small request, and not
nfrequently gets in a few words IN
behalf Of one or more applicants for
Office. There is no earthly reason why
the Presidents manifold duties and ans
noyanceS should be increased by re-
quests for advice which In some cases
good lawyer could give-for O fee.
But many Of these delegation devices
are schemes to reach the President.
Half dozen applicants for postmaster
ships and other minor places in q GER
tam state endeavored from day 10 day
to reach the President with their recon-
mendations, testimonials, ETC.; thsy
failed. One evening they met and
adopted series of resolutions GOVERNS
q dozen pages of foolscap. The firSh
resolution recited the grandeur and
glory of the Republican party; tia
second eulogized President GARFIELD and
congratulated the country upon hia
election; the third predicted unhaards
OF prosperity for the country for tia
present wise administration; the fourth
declared for Gen. Garfleld'S reelection
in 1884 and pledged the State that thu
half dozen who composed the meetina
rallied to his 5upport-it Is one q
the hardShen Democratic States toe.
The others were Of q similar character,
and in conclusion ali the gentlemen
present were appointed q committee to
wait upon the President and present
these resolutions to him. 1t is no mat
ter of surprise that the President Is
looking somewhat jaded.'"
X
1.-THE political situation" says The
Star OF March 81. 1881, seems to be
S.ro+. and about as follows: The
oehate ana President. from the best
Executive authority, Is determined
to stand by Robertsons
nomination. He declares, it is stated.
that he positively informed Senators
Conkling and Plat of his purpose to Sc
lect officials from both wings Of the
party in New York. Despite the positive
declarations of war on the part Of the
stalwarts, many believe that they Will
hesitate about making break with the
administration upon personal issue of
this kind, where they are pretty sure 20
be defeated. A fight against Robert
sons confirmation will undoubtedly
result in the defeat Of those who in
augurate 1t. The Democrats viii gen-
orally and perhaps unanimously vote for
confirmation and it Is not to be doubted
that at least half Of the Republican
Senators will support the administers
ton. 1t Is doubtless true that tbs
Democratic Senators dislike the nouai~
nation of Mr.. Chandler-Williarn e.
Chandler. named for the ONCE Of solic-
itor general-"on the ground that In
would resort to all sorts Of stalwart
means to make it unpleasant to the
South; but this feeling is not likely to
drive them over to Mr.. Conkling In his
fight against the administration.
I'm truth, with an equally divided
Senate and out of q disposition to give
President Garfield q fair show In the
start, the Democratic Senators have
generally expressed q disposition to con-
firm his nominations. They generally
realize that If not necessary it Is at
least not out Of place for them, holding
as they do an equal power In the Sem
ate, to take some position with regard
to the new administration and to d.
clare that position. With these
facts staring the stalwarts In the face
perhaps peace will yet be preferred 20
war, to be followed by certain defeat"