Description:

Garfield James

Rare James Garfield Signature on Accounting Sheet Re: the Division Line in the Presidential cCnvas of 1868, and the Division Line Among Parties in the Forty-first Congress

 

Single page manuscript on lightly lined paper, 7.75" x 11.75." Dated "Feb. 1869," and signed within the body of the ledger by James Garfield as "J A Garfield," as member of the House of Representatives. Page is toned with handling marks and light stains. Expected folds.

 

Garfield was a brigadier general during the Civil War, and served as Chief of Staff to Gen. William Rosecrans, who commanded the Army of the Cumberland. In 1863 he resigned his commission to take a seat in Congress. He immediately showed an ability to command the attention of the House of Representatives. According to a reporter, "…when he takes the floor, Garfield's voice is heard above all others. Every ear attends…his eloquent words move the heart, convince the reason, and tell the weak and wavering which way to go." He became a radical Republican, and was what we would call today a policy wonk, being fascinated by economic, financial and military policy.

 

This ledger is titled along the top as "Speech of Hon. R E Schenck of Ohio on currency Delivered to the House of Reps Feb 1869."  The "currency concern" was a running hot debate about Grant's proposal that the public bonds of the Government were to be paid by Greenbacks. A concept which wrought complete havoc in the House of Representatives, as numerous Congressman wished them to be paid in  gold. Disputes over this point were the main focus of the division line between the parties in Congress. "The bill can be considered nothing else than a measure for the benefit of our bondholders and creditors without any adequate consideration accruing to the government  … "

 

Garfield was among those who were very vocal on this matter and claimed "I stated in every speech I made, from the beginning to the end of the campaign, that these bonds were payable in gold", with Mr. Schenk in agreement. However the party line was split with others wanted them to be paid in greenbacks. The active debate about the "greenback" continued with  Mr. Higby of California noting "the Government is obliged to redeem the "greenbacks" in, when we are in condition to redeem them. It is sufficient for me to know that "greenbacks" pass currently; and that until the Government finds itself in condition to redeem them." While others argued that "Money has no intrinsic value, whether in gold or anything else, except as it represents labor. Toil is the only foundation of value in a civilized society"  Garfield believed "The passage of this bill will enable citizens to transact their business on a fixed and certain basis. It will stability and confidence to trade and pave the way to specie payments.

 

The resulting Bill was approved in March 1869 - "The course of President Grant's administration in regards to finances has proved in all respects successful. The first bill which received his signature was the "Act to strengthen the public credit" approved March 18, 1869. The demand for this declaratory act arose from a desire to undo the evil which had been caused by the resolution of the Democratic party in the preceding presidential election in favor of paying all public debts in paper, except where coin was specifically names in the law. The position of each party was therefore precisely the reverse of the other. The Republicans held the normal law of payment of Governmental obligations to be in coin, unless payment in paper money had been previously agreed upon, the Democrats held that all Governmental obligations might be discharged in paper … this was the division line in the Presidential canvas of 1868, and the division line among parties in the Forty-first Congress … "

 

A fantastic piece of history in a 'behind the scenes' moment. Garfield's intense involvement ultimately brought him to the forefront of his party, later ultimately becoming President in 1881. Unfortunately, his holding that exalted position cost him his life.


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