細節
GARFIELD, James A. Autograph letter signed ("J. A. Garfield"), as Congressman, to J. F. Scofield, House of Representatives, 20 February 1877. 2 pages, 8vo, with original envelope.
GARFIELD INDIGNANTLY DENIES HE "VISITED AN OCTAROON DANCE HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION" WITH SENATOR JOHN SHERMAN
Garfield makes another fervent denial of a slanderous--and this time salacious--accusation and vows to teach the press a lesson: "You have probably seen the infamous article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer...charging that Senator Sherman and I visited an octoroon dance house of prostitution. The story is a lie from beginning to end so far as Sherman and I are concerned. I have determined to call the editor to account by indictment in the court, if he does not retract his slander, and make ample apology. I have also determined to prosecute any Democratic Editor in the 19th District who shall copy the libel. I know the little paper in Painesville [Scofield's town] is hardly worth notice, but I propose to teach all these people that there is a limit to their rascality. Will you please send me any copy of that paper which prints the article." The notion of a Joint Congressional expedition to an "octaroon" brothel seems more like a mud-slinger's invention than literal truth, although Garfield makes the interesting qualification--"so far as Sherman & I are concerned." However, Garfield and Sherman were in Louisiana together as part of the Congressional investigation of the state's vote count following the Hayes-Tilden election in 1876. Very likely this charge was used by Democrats to impugn the integrity of two northern, Republican members of the commission.
GARFIELD INDIGNANTLY DENIES HE "VISITED AN OCTAROON DANCE HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION" WITH SENATOR JOHN SHERMAN
Garfield makes another fervent denial of a slanderous--and this time salacious--accusation and vows to teach the press a lesson: "You have probably seen the infamous article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer...charging that Senator Sherman and I visited an octoroon dance house of prostitution. The story is a lie from beginning to end so far as Sherman and I are concerned. I have determined to call the editor to account by indictment in the court, if he does not retract his slander, and make ample apology. I have also determined to prosecute any Democratic Editor in the 19th District who shall copy the libel. I know the little paper in Painesville [Scofield's town] is hardly worth notice, but I propose to teach all these people that there is a limit to their rascality. Will you please send me any copy of that paper which prints the article." The notion of a Joint Congressional expedition to an "octaroon" brothel seems more like a mud-slinger's invention than literal truth, although Garfield makes the interesting qualification--"so far as Sherman & I are concerned." However, Garfield and Sherman were in Louisiana together as part of the Congressional investigation of the state's vote count following the Hayes-Tilden election in 1876. Very likely this charge was used by Democrats to impugn the integrity of two northern, Republican members of the commission.