Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1883 — THE WATERS OF TRUTH ARE RISING. [ARTICLE]

THE WATERS OF TRUTH ARE RISING.

Further Confirmation of the Truth of Itoroey’a Disclosures. [From the New York BnnJ Mr. E. N. Hill, a well-known attor-, ney-at-law, of Washington, now in New York, who is and has been a warm friend of Senator Dorsey, was known to be in possession of many of. the inside facts respecting the remarkable canvass of 1880, and also respecting Garfield’s relations with Dorsey. Mr. Hill was also a warm friend of Garfield’s, and in the wifiter of 1881 visited Mentor by invitation, spending a number of hours with Gen. Garfield. Until recently Mr. Hill has been no more disposed to speak of what he knew than have others who knew much, but he has now consented to say some things which are of interest. “You have read the recent revelations of Dorsey, Mr. Hill; what is your opinion of their accuracy ?” asked the writer. “So far as they have gone they are accurate, but he has not yet told onequarter of what he knows. ” “In that he speaks of having been offered a Cabinet place; does that statement come within your own knowledge?” “Yes, sir; during my conversation with Gen. Garfield I said to him: ‘ I suppose Senator Dorsey will be a member of your Cabinet?’ To my surprise, he said, ‘No; I have offered him a place, and he says he will not accept it.”” 1 “Did Gen. Garfield indicate what it was?" “Oh, yes. He said he had offered Dorsey the Secretaryship of the Interior. ” “Did Gen. Garfield mention any reason why Dorsey declined?” • “Yes. He said he was extremely sorry that Dorsey would not but that Dorsey had said that his private business required his attention, and he could not therefore accept. ” “Do you Know of anyone else to whom Garfield said that he had offered Dorsey a place ?” “Yes. Two or three other gentlemen have told me that Garfield had told them he had asked Dorsey to go into the Cabinet. One of these gentlemen is a very prominent public man. ” “Did Garfield ever repeat to you that he had made this offer ?” “Oh, yes; in Washington, at his house. I recollect very distinctly that I called with some friends, and just as I was leaving he drew me aside and privately invited me to come back at 1 a. m. ’ I went back, and in the course of conversation about other matters he again repeated that he had offered Dorsey,the Interior portfolio, and that Dorsey persisted in declining.” “Did you ever see any written evidence to prove the truth of what Garheld said to you ?” “Yes; I have seen a letter and read it, in which Garfield formally offered him a place in the Cabinet. ” “Was it a long letter?” “No; it covered about a page of Garfield’s scattering handwriting.” “Do you recollect the terms of that letter ?" “No, not the precise phraseology. I could not quote accurately, and prefer not to do so, as I have no doubt the letter will some day see the light. The ■offer was formally made.” “Did you see Dorsey’s reply to it ?” “No. I saw the substance of the replv. Dorsey did not have a copy of his declination with him, but repeated the substance of it from memory, which was then written out.” “Dorsey’s letter of declination must be in the hands of Garfield’s literary executors?” “Y’es, of course.” “Have you seen the statement that Garfield offered Dorsey the place to please him, expecting that, Dorsey would decline it?” “Yes. I have seen that. ” “What do you think about that?” “I think it very good proof that Ananias and Sapphira left descendants either in flesh or spirit. I believe if auch a proposition had been made to Mr. Dorsey he would have resented it by a blow.” “Do you know whether Garfield repeated his request to Horsey to go into the Cabinet?” “Not oi jny knowledge. Mr. Dorsey told me that after he had declined Garfield urged him to go home and reconsider the matter, because he wanted him in the Cabinet. ” “Did you ever hear that Garfield personally offered Dorsey a Cabinet place?” “Yes. That was the time he was first offered it. That was at Mentor, soon after the election. There is an amusing side to that, as I have understood. Jewell and Dorsey were at Mentor. About 9 o’clock one evening, Garfield wanted to have a. chat with Dorsey, so he, to get rid of Jewell, offered to show him to his bed. After Jewell retired, Garfield and Dorsey went out under an apple tree, and, with a lunch of good things to eat and drink, sat there till 2 o’clock in the morning. At that time Garfield told Dorsey that he was going to make him a formal offer to enter the Cabinet, and that he could have any place except the Treasury or the State Department, and, of course, he was debarred from the Department of Justice, as he (Dorsey) was no lawyer. Dorsey at that time told Garfield that if he boiled all his places into one he wouldn’t take it.” “You spoke of believing that Garfield’s letter offering Dorsey a Cabinet place would sooner or later see the light. Why do you think so ?” “Because I have good reasons. The letter has not been printed. It is in the custody of some of Dorsey’s strongest friends, who have thought that the time has not yet come for making it public.” ) “Mr. Hill, you know that Dorsey has been called a liar for saying that he vas offered a Cabinet place ?” “He is no liar,” replied Mr. Hill ini lignantly. “I am willing to make affiiavit that I saw the letter, and,” he suddenly added, “I’ll do so now, if you wish.” Pity and County of New York, ss: t R N. HUI, of Washington, D. Q, being duly sworn, deposes and says that the foregoing interview as to the otter of a position in ms Cabinet by President Garfield to

Stephen W. Dorsey is substantially true, and the statement that I saw a letter offering the place is absolutely true. E. N. Hill. Sworn to before me this 31st day of Aug., 1883 Geobgb S. Hickok, Notary Public New York County.