Chapter XXXV

INVESTIGATION OF THE NEW YORK CUSTOMHOUSE. A General Examination of Several Ports Ordered--No Difficulty Except at New York--First Report of the Commission--President Hayes' Recommendations--Letter of Instructions to Collector C. A. Arthur --Second Report of the Commission--Losses to the Government by Reason of Inefficiency of Employees--Various Measures of Reform Recommended--Four Other Reports Made--The President Decides on the Removal of Arthur, Cornell and Sharpe--Two Letters to R. C. McCormick on the Subject--Arthur et al. Refuse to Resign--The Senate Twice Refuses to Confirm the Men Appointed by the President to Succeed Them--Conkling's Contest Against Civil Service Reform--My Letter to Senator Allison--Final Victory of the President.

CHAPTER XXXVI. PREPARATIONS FOR RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS. Annual Report to Congress on Dec. 2, 1878--Preparations for Resumption Accompanied with Increased Business and Confidence--Full Explanation of the Powers of the Treasurer Under the Act--How Resumption Was to Be Accomplished--Laws Effecting the Coinage of Gold and Silver --Recommendation to Congress That the Coinage of the Silver Dollar Be Discontinued When the Amount Outstanding Should Exceed $50,000,000 --Funding the Public Debt--United States Notes at Par with Gold-- Instructions to the Assistant Treasurer at New York--Political Situation in Ohio.

CHAPTER XXXVII. REFUNDING THE NATIONAL DEBT. Over $140,000,000 of Gold Coin and Bullion in the Treasury January 1, 1879--Diversity of Opinion as to the Meaning of Resumption-- Effect of the Act to Advance Public Credit--Funding Redeemable Bonds Into Four per Cents.--Letters to Levi P. Morton and Others-- Six per Cent. Bonds Aggregating $120,000,000 Called During January, 1879--The Sale in London--Charges of Favoritism--Further Enactments to Facilitate the Funding--Difficulty of Making Sales of Four per Cent. Bonds to English Bankers--Large Amounts Taken in the United States--One Subscription of $190,000,000--Rothschild's Odd Claim-- Complimentary Resolution of the New York Chamber of Commerce.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. GENERAL DESIRE TO NOMINATE ME FOR GOVERNOR OF OHIO. Death of My Brother Charles--The 46th Congress Convened in Special Session--"Mending Fences" at My Home in Mansfield--Efforts to Put Me Forward as a Candidate for the Governorship of Ohio--Letter to Murat Halstead on the Question of the Presidency, etc.--Result of My Letter to John B. Haskin--Reasons of My Refusal of the Nomination for Governor--Invitation from James G. Blaine to Speak in Maine-- My Speech at Portland--Victory of the Republican Party--My Speech at Steubenville, Ohio--Evidences of Prosperity on Every Hand--Visit to Cincinnati and Return to Washington--Results in Ohio.

CHAPTER XXXIX. LAST DAYS OF THE HAYES ADMINISTRATION. Invitation From General Arthur to Speak in New York--Letter to Hon. John Jay on the Subject--Mr. Evarts' Refined Specimen of Egotism-- An Anecdote of the Hayes Cabinet--Duty of the Government to Protect the Election of All Federal Officers--My Speech in Cooper Institute --Offers of Support to Elect Me as a Successor of Senator Thurman --My Replies--Republican Victory in New York--President Hayes' Message to Congress--My Report as Secretary of the Treasury-- Modification of My Financial Views Since that Time--Bank Notes as Currency--Necessity for Paper Money--Mr. Bayard's Resolution Concerning the Legal Tender Quality of United States Notes--Questions Asked Me by the Finance Committee of the Senate.

CHAPTER XL. THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION IN 1880. Talk of Grant for President for a Third Term--His Triumphal Return from a Trip Around the World--The Candidacy of Mr. Blaine and Myself --Many of My Opponents Those Who Disagreed with Me on Financial Questions--Accused of Being a Catholic and of Using Patronage to Aid in My Nomination--My Replies--Delay in Holding the Ohio State Convention--My Interview with Garfield--Resolution of the State Convention in My Favor--National Convention at Chicago, on June 2, 1880--Fatal Move of Nine Ohio Delegates for Blaine--Final Nomination of Garfield--Congratulations--Letter to Governor Foster and to Garfield--Wade Hampton and the "Ku-Klux Klan."

CHAPTER XLI. MY LAST YEAR IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Opening of the 1880 Campaign in Cincinnati--My First Speech Arraigned as "Bitterly Partisan"--Letter from Garfield Regarding the Maine Election--Ohio Thought to Be in Doubt--Many Requests for Speeches --Republican Ticket Elected in Ohio and Indiana--A Strange Warning from Detroit Threatening Garfield with Assassination--The Latter's Reply--My Doubts About Remaining in the Treasury Department or Making an Effort for the Senate--Letter to Dalzell--Last Annual Report to Congress in December, 1880--Recommendations Regarding Surplus Revenue, Compulsory Coinage of the Silver Dollar, the Tariff, etc.--Bills Acted Upon by Congress.

CHAPTER XLII. ELECTED TO THE SENATE FOR THE FOURTH TIME. Blaine Appointed Secretary of State--Withdrawal of Governor Foster as a Senatorial Candidate--I Am Again Elected to My Old Position to Succeed Allen G. Thurman--My Visit to Columbus to Return Thanks to the Legislature--Address to Boston Merchants on Finances--Windom Recommended to Succeed Me as Secretary of the Treasury--Personal Characteristics of Garfield--How He Differed from President Hayes --The Latter's Successful Administration--My One Day out of Office in Over Forty Years--Long Animosity of Don Piatt and His Change of Opinion in 1881--Mahone's Power in the Senate--Windom's Success in the Treasury--The Conkling-Platt Controversy with the President Over New York Appointments.

CHAPTER XLIII. ASSASSINATION OF GARFIELD AND EVENTS FOLLOWING. I Return to Mansfield for a Brief Period of Rest--Selected as Presiding Officer of the Ohio State Convention--My Address to the Delegates Indorsing Garfield and Governor Foster--Kenyon College Confers on Me the Degree of Doctor of Laws--News of the Assassination of the President--How He Differed from Blaine--Visit of General Sherman--Reception by Old Soldiers--My Trip to Yellowstone Park-- Speechmaking at Salt Lake City--Visit to Virginia City--Placer Mining in Montana--The Western Hunter Who Was Lost in a "St. Louis Cañon"--Sunday in Yellowstone Park--Geysers in the Upper Basin-- Rolling Stones Down the Valley--Return Home--Opening of the Ohio Campaign--Death of Garfield.

CHAPTER XLIV. BEGINNING OF ARTHUR'S ADMINISTRATION. Special Session of the Senate Convened by the President--Abuse of Me by Newspapers and Discharged Employees--Charges Concerning Disbursement of the Contingent Fund--My Resolution in the Senate-- Secretary Windom's Letter Accompanying the Meline Report--Investigation and Complete Exoneration--Arthur's Message to Congress in December --Joint Resolutions on the Death of Garfield--Blaine's Tribute to His Former Chief--Credit of the United States at "High Water Mark" --Bill Introduced Providing for the Issuing of Three per Cent. Bonds--Corporate Existence of National Banks Extended--Bill to Reduce Internal Revenue Taxes--Tax on Playing Cards--Democratic Victory in Ohio.

CHAPTER XLV. STEPS TOWARDS MUCH NEEDED TARIFF LEGISLATION. Necessity of Relief from Unnecessary Taxation--Views of the President as Presented to Congress in December, 1882--Views of the Tariff Commission Appointed by the President--Great Changes Made by the Senate--Regret That I Did Not Defeat the Bill--Wherein Many Sections Were Defective or Unjust--Bill to Regulate and Improve the Civil Service--A Mandatory Provision That Should be Added to the Existing Law--Further Talk of Nominating Me for Governor of Ohio--Reasons Why I Could Not Accept--Selected as Chairman of the State Convention --Refusal to Be Nominated--J. B. Foraker Nominated by Acclamation --His Career--Issues of the Campaign--My Trip to Montana--Resuming the Canvass--Hoadley Elected Governor--Retirement of Gen. Sherman.

CHAPTER XLVI. EFFECT OF THE MARINE NATIONAL BANK AND OTHER FAILURES. Continued Prosperity of the Nation--Arthur's Report to Congress-- Resolution to Inquire into Election Outrages in Virginia and Mississippi--Reports of the Investigating Committee--Financial Questions Discussed During the Session--Duties and Privileges of Senators--Failure of the Marine National Bank and of Grant and Ward in New York--Followed By a Panic in Which Other Institutions Are Wrecked--Timely Assistance from the New York Clearing House--Debate in the Senate on the National Bank System--Dedication of the John Marshall Statue at Washington--Defeat of Ingalls' Arrears of Pensions Amendment to Bill to Grant Pensions to Soldiers and Sailors of the Mexican War--The Senate Listens to the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.

CHAPTER XLVII. MY PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMPAIGN OF 1884. Again Talked of as a Republican Candidate for the Presidency--I Have No Desire for the Nomination--Blaine the Natural Candidate of the Party--My Belief that Arthur Would be Defeated if Nominated-- Speech at Washington, D. C., for Blaine and Logan--Opening of the Ohio Campaign at Ashland--Success of the Republican State Ticket in October--Speeches in Boston, Springfield, Mass., New York and Brooklyn--Address to Business Men in Faneuil Hall--Success of the National Democratic Ticket--Arthur's Annual Message to Congress-- Secretary McCulloch's Recommendations Concerning the Further Coinage of Silver Dollars--Statement of My Views at This Time--Statue to the Memory of General Lafayette--Controversy Between General Sherman and Jefferson Davis.

CHAPTER XLVIII. DEDICATION OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. Resolution of Senator Morrill Providing for Appropriate Dedicatory Ceremonies--I Am Made Chairman of the Commission--Robert C. Winthrop's Letter Stating His Inability to Attend the Exercises--Letters of Regret from General Grant and John G. Whittier--Unfavorable Weather for the Dedication--My Address as Presiding Officer--The President's Acceptance of the Monument for the Nation--Mr. Winthrop's Address Read in the House by John D. Long--Inauguration of the First Democratic President Since Buchanan's Time--Visit to Cincinnati and Address on the Election Frauds--Respects to the Ohio Legislature --A Trip to the West and Southwest--Address on American Independence.

CHAPTER XLIX. REUNION OF THE "SHERMAN BRIGADE." Patriotic Address Delivered at Woodstock, Conn., On My Return from the Pacific Coast--Meeting of the Surviving Members of the Sherman Family at Mansfield--We Attend the Reunion of the "Sherman Brigade" at Odell's Lake--Addresses of General Sherman and Myself to the Old Soldiers and Others Present--Apathy of the Republican Party During the Summer of 1885--Contest Between Foraker and Hoadley for the Governorship--My Speech at Mt. Gilead Denounced as "Bitterly Partisan"--Governor Hoadley Accuses Me of "Waving the Bloody Shirt" --My Reply at Lebanon--Election of Foraker--Frauds in Cincinnati and Columbus--Speeches Made in Virginia.

CHAPTER L. ELECTED PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE. Death of Vice President Hendricks--I Am Chosen to Preside Over the United States Senate--Letter of Congratulation from S. S. Cox-- Cleveland's First Annual Message to Congress--His Views on the Tariff and Condition of Our Currency--Secretary Manning's Report-- Garfield's Statue Presented to the Nation by the State of Ohio--I Am Elected a Senator from Ohio for the Fifth Time--I Go to Columbus to Return Thanks to the Legislature for the Honor--Business of this Session of Congress--Attempt to Inquire Into the Methods of Electing Mr. Payne to the Senate from Ohio--My Address on "Grant and the New South"--Address Before the Ohio Society of New York.

CHAPTER LI. A PERIOD OF POLITICAL SPEECH MAKING. Organization of the "Sherman Club" at Mansfield, Ohio--My Experiences with Newspaper Reporters--Address at the State Fair in Columbus on Agricultural Implements--Other Speeches Made in the Campaign of that Year--Address at Louisville, Ky.--Courteous Treatment by Henry Watterson, of the "Courier Journal"--Hon. John Q. Smith's Change of Heart--Answering Questions Propounded by Him at a Gathering in Wilmington, Ohio--Success of the Republican Party--Second Session of the 49th Congress--But Little Legislation Accomplished--Death of Senator John A. Logan--Tributes to His Memory--His Strong Characteristics--My Reason for Resigning the Presidency of the Senate--Succeeded by John J. Ingalls.

CHAPTER LII. VISIT TO CUBA AND THE SOUTHERN STATES. Departure for Florida and Havana--A Walk Through Jacksonville-- Impressions of the Country--Visit to Cigar Factories and Other Places of Interest--Impressions of Cuba--Experience with Colored Men at a Birmingham Hotel--The Proprietor Refuses to Allow a Delegation to Visit Me in My Rooms--Sudden Change of Quarters-- Journey to Nashville and the Hearty Reception Which Followed--Visit to the Widow of President Polk--My Address to Nashville Citizens-- Comment from the Press That Followed It--An Audience of Workingmen at Cincinnati--Return Home--Trip to Woodbury, Conn., the Home of My Ancestors--Invitation to Speak in the Hall of the House of Representatives at Springfield, Ill.--Again Charged with "Waving the Bloody Shirt."

CHAPTER LIII. INDORSED FOR PRESIDENT BY THE OHIO STATE CONVENTION. I Am Talked of as a Presidential Possibility--Public Statement of My Position--Unanimous Resolution Adopted by the State Convention at Toledo on July 28, 1887--Text of the Indorsement--Trip Across the Country with a Party of Friends--Visit to the Copper and Nickel Mining Regions--Stop at Winnipeg--A Day at Banff--Vast Snowsheds Along the Canadian Pacific Railroad--Meeting with Carter H. Harrison on Puget Sound--Rivalry Between Seattle and Tacoma--Trying to Locate "Mount Tacoma"--Return Home After a Month's Absence--Letter to General Sherman--Visit to the State Fair--I Attend a Soldiers' Meeting at Bellville--Opening Campaign Speech at Wilmington--Talk to Farmers in New York State--Success of the Republican Ticket in Ohio--Blaine Declines to Be a Candidate.

CHAPTER LIV. CLEVELAND'S EXTRAORDINARY MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. First Session of the 50th Congress--The President's "Cry of Alarm" --Troubled by the Excess of Revenues over Expenditures--My Answer to His Doctrines--His Refusal to Apply the Surplus to the Reduction of the Public Debt--The Object in Doing So--My Views Concerning Protection and the Tariff--In Favor of a Tariff Commission--"Mills Bill" the Outcome of the President's Message--Failure of the Bill During the Second Session--My Debates with Senator Beck on the Coinage Act of 1873, etc.--Omission of the Old Silver Dollar--Death of Chief Justice Waite--Immigration of Chinese Laborers--Controversy with Senator Vest--Speech on the Fisheries Question--Difficulties of Annexation with Canada.

CHAPTER LV. REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1888. Majority of the Ohio Delegates Agree to Support Me for President-- Cleveland and Thurman Nominated by the Democrats--I Am Indorsed by the State Convention Held at Dayton, April 18-19--My Response to a Toast at the Americus Club, Pittsburg, on Grant--Meeting with Prominent Men in New York--Foraker's Reply to Judge West's Declaration Concerning Blaine--Blaine's Florence Letter to Chairman Jones--His Opinion of My Qualifications for the Honorable Position--Meeting of the Convention in Chicago in June--I Am Nominated by General D. H. Hastings and Seconded by Governor Foraker--Jealousy Between the Ohio Delegates--Predictions of My Nomination on Monday, June 25-- Defeated by a Corrupt New York Bargain--General Harrison is Nominated --Letters from the President Elect--My Replies--First Speeches of the Campaign--Harrison's Victory--Second Session of the 50th Congress --The President's Cabinet.

CHAPTER LVI. FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS IN EUROPE. Our Party Takes Its Departure on the "City of New York" on May 1-- Personnel of the Party--Short Stop in London--Various Cities in Italy Visited--Sight-Seeing in Rome--Journey to Pompeii and Naples --Impressions of the Inhabitants of Southern Italy--An Amusing Incident Growing Out of the Ignorance of Our Courier--Meeting with Mr. Porter, Minister to Rome--Four Days in Florence--Venice Wholly Unlike Any Other City in the World--Favorable Impression of Vienna --Arrival at Paris--Reception by the President of the Republic of France--Return Home--My Opinion Concerning England and Englishmen --Reception at Washington--Campaigning Again for Foraker--Ohio Ballot Box Forgery and Its Outcome--Address at Cleveland on "The Congress of American States"--Defeat of Foraker for Governor.

CHAPTER LVII. HISTORY OF THE "SHERMAN SILVER LAW." President Harrison's First Annual Message--His Recommendations Regarding the Coinage of Silver and Tariff Revisions--Bill Authorizing the Purchase of $4,500,000 Worth of Silver Bullion Each Month-- Senator Plumb's "Free Silver" Amendment to the House Bill--Substitute Finally Agreed Upon in Conference--Since Known as the "Sherman Silver Law"--How It Came to Be so Called--Chief Merit of the Law-- Steady Decline of Silver After the Passage of the Act--Bill Against Trusts and Combinations--Amendments in Committee--The Bill as Passed --Evils of Unlawful Combinations--Death of Representative Wm. D. Kelley and Ex-Member S. S. Cox--Sketch of the Latter--My Views Regarding Immigration and Alien Contract Labor--McKinley Tariff Law--What a Tariff Is--Death of George H. Pendleton--Republican Success in Ohio--Second Session of the 51st Congress--Failure of Senator Stewart's "Free Coinage Bill."

CHAPTER LVIII. EFFORTS TO CONSTRUCT THE NICARAGUAN CANAL. Early Recognition of the Need of a Canal Across the Isthmus Connecting North and South America--M. de Lesseps Attempts to Build a Water Way at Panama--Feasability of a Route by Lake Nicaragua-- First Attempts in 1825 to Secure Aid from Congress--The Clayton- Bulwer Convention of 1850--Hindrance to the Work Caused by This Treaty--Report of the Committee on Foreign Relations in 1891-- Failure to Secure a Treaty Between the United States and Nicaragua in 1884--Cleveland's Reasons for Withdrawing This Treaty--Incorporation of the Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua--Inevitable Failure of Their Attempts Unless Aided by the Government--Why We Should Purchase Outright the Concessions of the Maritime Company--Brief Description of the Proposed Canal--My Last Letter from General Sherman--His Death from Pneumonia After a Few Days' Illness--Messages of President Harrison--Resolution--My Commemorative Address Delivered Before the Loyal Legion.

CHAPTER LIX. THE CAMPAIGN OF 1890-91 IN OHIO. Public Discussion of My Probable Re-election to the Senate--My Visit to the Ohio Legislature in April, 1891--Reception at the Lincoln League Club--Address to the Members--Appointed by the Republicans as a Delegate to the State Convention at Columbus--Why My Prepared Speech Was Not Delivered--Attack on Me by the Cincinnati "Enquirer"--Text of the Address Printed in the "State Journal"-- Beginning of a Canvass with Governor Foraker as a Competitor for the Senatorship--Attitude of George Cox, a Cincinnati Politician, Towards Me--Attempt to Form a "Farmers' Alliance" or People's Party in Ohio--"Seven Financial Conspiracies"--Mrs. Emery's Pamphlet and My Reply to It.

CHAPTER LX. FREE SILVER AND PROTECTION TO AMERICAN INDUSTRIES. My Views in 1891 on the Free Coinage of Silver--Letter to an Ohio Newspaper on the Subject--A Problem for the Next Congress to Solve --Views Regarding Protection to American Industries by Tariff Laws --My Deep Interest in This Campaign--Its Importance to the Country at Large--Ohio the Battle Ground of These Financial Questions-- Opening the Campaign in Paulding Late in August--Extracts from My Speech There--Appeal to the Conservative Men of Ohio of Both Parties --Address at the State Fair at Columbus--Review of the History of Tariff Legislation in the United States--Five Republican Principles Pertaining to the Reduction of Taxes--Speeches at Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati and Elsewhere--McKinley's Election by Over 21,000 Plurality.