Garfield page 2

Garfield page 2 by ric gustafson


May 1880


James Garfield quickly walked into the lobby of the Grand Pacific Hotel carrying an overstuffed bag. Everyone knew who he was and a crowd quickly formed. He was tall and had a full beard and was recognized easily. Even though the Republican National Convention was four days away, the Chicago hotel was full of delegates, lobbyists and newsmen. This political race was between four people and they were calling him a ' dark horse'.
A reporter elbowed up to him. " General Garfield?".
He had represented Ohio in Congress for eighteen years  and had now been elected to the Senate.
" General Garfield, I am a reporter for the Chicago Tribune".
" Please don't ask me about political matters right now". He yawned. " I just arrived in town". He was tired because he had taken the overnight train from Cleveland. He had spent some time at his home in Mentor Ohio where he visited his wife Lucretia. He enjoyed visiting Chicago because of the Lake Michigan waterfront and it's recovery from the great fire of 1871.
Other political leaders had arrived and were staying at the Palmer House or the Grand Pacific.
The reporter stopped him again. " General Garfield, what is your stance on the unit rule?".
" My stance is that all delegates are political units". He went up to the fifth floor where the Ohio delegation were staying. As he wrote to Lucretia that night, he wrote that the unit rule would be the hot topic of the convention.


research help: ' Dark Horse' by Kenneth Ackerman


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric