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Sale 33
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Lot 248
Garfield, James A (1831-1881) 20th President of the United States (1881). Letter Signed "J.A. Garfield" as President, on Executive Mansion letterhead, 1 p., 10"x7¾", plus docketed integral leaf, Washington, 1881 Apr. 30. Fine; mounting traces on verso. Addressed to George W. Curtis, a leading Republican and early advocate of major civil service reform, who was appointed by President Grant in 1871 to chair the commission on the reform of the civil service. President Garfield writes, in full:
"Dear Sir: Owing to the great pressure upon my time for the last two months I have found it impossible to respond sooner to your favor of the 16th of March inclosing a copy of the Resolution adopted by the Executive Committee of the Civil Service Reform Association. Please accept for yourself and convey to the Association my cordial thanks for, and high appreciation of their approval of my course in the matter of the appointment of the Postmaster for New York. Very truly yours, J.A. Garfield."
At the time of this letter, civil service appointments were largely dominated by the Radical Republican party machine leaders. Corrupt patronage appointments were widespread. In New York state, for example, civil service appointments were controlled by the state political machine under New York Republican boss Senator Roscoe Conkling. Garfield's election as President was assured when he gained the support of the Stalwarts, the pro-Ulysses S. Grant conservatives led by Conkling. In return for that support, Garfield agreed to consult with Conkling subordinates on patronage appointments for the state; however, as this letter indicates, Garfield's civil service appointments in the state of New York were being made in consultation with those at the forefront of civil service reform. Conkling was outraged at Garfield's refusal to continue the practice of offering patronage positions and resigned his senatorship sixteen days after this letter was penned.
Ironically, President Garfield's assassin, Charles Julius Guiteau was a Stalwart who expected a patronage appointment after the Republican victory and was never offered one. He blamed Garfield for his failure to get a job and determined to "save" the Republican party from the likes of Garfield. An important letter, related directly to Guiteau's motivation for assassinating President Garfield.
Estimated Value $17,000 - 20,000.
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