I came, I saw, I negotiated
_______________________________
Washington, District of Columbia
Telegrams flowed in to the White House at a steady rate, bringing urgent news from Chicago. President Arthur carefully opened the next one, just in from his supporters at the convention.
Met with Edmunds camp STOP Grand Pacific Hotel STOP Want to know your price for backing the Senator STOP Asked their price for backing you STOP No change STOP Blaine's people for chair look to be failing STOP Inquiries into your health STOP
Best Regards STOP
Arthur beckoned over a staffer while hastily scribbling down a note.
I've been in the best of health since my lovely visit to Yellowstone. Remind them of Civil Service Act. Southern Delegates should remember Virginia, he began. As the courtier rushed over to the President he finished with a few more detailed ideas for swaying party bosses. However he left most of it to the discretion of his men in Chicago. Handing the message off the President returned to his dinner. Some quite delicious sausage and ham, the finest to be found in Washington.
He imagined Blaine was doing much the same thing in Augusta and passing notes to his men in Chicago trying to manipulate the rules to his favor. Edmunds probably thought he was doing the same thing, but all he was doing was playing kingmaker. It was men like Edmunds who Arthur had to appeal to. John Sherman would be another man who must be swayed, mused Arthur. Perhaps he would enjoy the Treasury Department as compensation. Promises of reform would have to be made either way. As for the Senator's brother, Arthur had no worries. The newspapers loved a quick coin but the President had met the butcher of Georgia and William had no interest in the Presidency. The same went for Secretary of War Lincoln. Arthur had never met the dead President, but his own stresses as President and tales from Washingtonians made Arthur guess that watching his father age so quickly had turned Robert off from ever seeking higher office.
The Ham really was quite good. His compliments to the chef.
He considered sending a telegram to remind his men to remind any delegates who might vote for Lincoln or William Sherman that neither wanted the job. But he decided against it, his supporters knew that and would be working on it anyway. He racked his mind for any other ideas. Perhaps he should send word to New York and get his old friends to put their back into supporting him. But those who would were already doing it and those disgusted by his dismantling of the patronage system were backing Blaine.
His thoughts were interrupted by his sister walking into the dinner room.
"Chester, goodness me you've eaten enough already today! Come on now, there are guests to be seen. I can't play hostess forever, they want to see you."
Arthur sighed and slowly eased his large party out of his chair and began to walk out of the room.
The guests were boring party bosses, but their conversations were interesting enough the Arthur. Planning soap money in Indiana, organizing fundraisers. While civil service patronage had been curtailed there were quite a few federal workers who still owed their jobs to the Republican Party and were eager to stay in the good graces of the executive branch. The trick was to get their contributions without it looking like extortion. One of the guests was a party fundraiser inquiring into the Readjusters in Virginia. All crucially important things for the top men of the Grand Old Party to be discussing.
After the fruitful conversation the President readied himself for bed, only pausing to yell at the staff for failing to replace the flowers by his wife's portrait.
+++
Chicago, Illinois
Theodore Roosevelt began shoving a sheet of paper into the noses of the New York delegation members. "Do you see this? DO YOU SEE THIS?" He shouted. John Davis Long, head of the Edmunds camp, walked up and snatched the paper out.
"Roosevelt, we've all seen the numbers." He said pointing to the sheet that read: 826
President Chester Arthur of New York- 312
James Blaine of Maine - 297
Senator George Edmunds of Vermont - 101
Senator John Logan of Illinois - 51
Senator John Sherman of Ohio - 50
Senator Joseph Hawley of Connecticut - 15
Secretary of War Robert Lincoln - 3
General William Sherman of Ohio - 3
"Of course! But they must look at them more!" Cried Roosevelt. "This is quite a fine matter! Look at the finer details good sir. Look how little President Arthur is supported by the North! He doesn't even have all of New York! What a shock that must be to him."
"You're from New York Roosevelt. I hardly expected you to vote for anyone but Edmunds." Long replied curtly.
Roosevelt glared at the former Governor of Massachusetts but continued forward with cheerfulness. "But others have voted for others as well. Look some went for Old Blaine but a good number went for Senator Edmunds. This to our advantage. We must hasten quickly and press it to the fullest. I suppose the delegates of the Shermans may be reformist enough to be swayed. Logan is a corrupt hack, he will surely back whoever promises to give him power, he is a lost cause. I know little of Hawley…"
"Roosevelt, please, do not expend so much energy now. If Edmunds is to win it will be after a long fight. You must conserve energy."
"Ahh yes. Conserve energy. Splendid idea good sir." Roosevelt replied and began bouncing around on his toes. "As I was saying I have no idea who Hawley is. So someone who does know needs to figure out if we can sway him. We need to remind reformers that Machines like the one in New York that Arthur ran churned out more corruption then the whole north made bullets in the war. And the southern delegates are ripe for picking, they never expect grand gestures, only personal favors. And of course someone has to keep our own soldiers in line. I volunteer for that duty. Now what else…"
"Roosevelt PLEASE!" Cried Long. "I am in charge currently, now go get yourself a drink or something so that you are prepared for the second ballot!"
Grumbling Roosevelt sulked away into the crowd that had grown around his antics.
"Why do you keep him around?" Asked a Delegate.
"His wife and mother both died recently. So I cut him some slack. And he's a savvy politician. He is a credit to our campaign." Long replied.
"What do we do sir?" Asked another delegate.
Long sighed and replied. "Like I said, he's a bright young man. Follow his suggestions. But, please dear God, with more tact."
+++
Augusta, Maine
James Blaine of Maine - 320
President Chester Arthur of New York- 312
Senator George Edmunds of Vermont - 93
Senator John Sherman of Ohio - 52
Senator John Logan of Illinois - 34
Senator Joseph Hawley of Connecticut - 14
Secretary of War Robert Lincoln - 5
General William Sherman of Ohio - 1
The reports from Chicago were pleasing to the cluster of political men sitting in Augusta, especially James Blaine. Weakness was showing in the Arthur camp and Stalwarts and Reformers both were unsure of the President's loyalties. However the Half-Breeds were falling in behind Blaine. If he could keep the momentum going he could win the nomination on the first day. The obvious target was Senator Logan, a solid party man. And so a series of electronic pulses were sent from Augusta to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington.
Senator Logan STOP
Your support at the convention would be greatly appreciated by myself and the Republican Party STOP Such a sign of faith would of course bear fruit STOP Many open cabinet positions STOP As is the Vice Presidency STOP Your colleagues in Illinois would be rewarded as well STOP Especially if Illinois were to retain its admirable streak STOP Awaiting response STOP
Best Regards, James Blaine STOP
Soon a flurry of telegrams began.
Mr. Blaine
Many Delegates Concerned about your nomination STOP Some threatening to vote Democrat STOP I may be a better compromise candidate STOP Secretary of State would be yours STOP One term pledge would be made STOP Full support in four years time STOP Half Breed nominations STOP
Regards, Senator Logan STOP
Uproar in Augusta and with the Blaine camp in Chicago ensued and a retort was sent.
Unacceptable STOP
Logan would be Postmaster General or Vice President STOP Possibly other position if you so desire STOP Rewards for supporters STOP Assistance in legal issues as well STOP
James Blaine STOP
A nervous calm settled over Augusta as they awaited a response.
Mr. Blaine
Possible STOP Postmaster General would be acceptable STOP Withholding final agreement until further consultation STOP
Senator Logan STOP
The tension in Augusta was briefly cut by new the ballot results arriving.
James Blaine of Maine - 324
President Chester Arthur of New York- 315
Senator George Edmunds of Vermont - 98
Senator John Sherman of Ohio - 45
Senator John Logan of Illinois - 29
Senator Joseph Hawley of Connecticut - 14
Secretary of War Robert Lincoln - 4
General William Sherman of Ohio - 2
Soon afterwords a new telegram arrived.
Mr. Blaine STOP
Accepted STOP
Senator Logan STOP
Cheering erupted in Augusta.
+++
West Point, New York
They hadn't meant to be listening to the results together. They hasn't really meant to meet each other today. But they had and they were. Sitting in a little room at West Point, awaiting the results from the convention.
"Pass the Whisky Robert." Growled William Tecumseh Sherman.
"With pleasure General." The Secretary of War replied and passed the bottle over.
Taking a swig Sherman asked "So, who do you think will get the nomination?"
"I don't know perhaps they'll draft someone."
"As long as it isn't me." The General said, taking another sip. "Not that they'd like me once they took a good look at me. They should just nominate John. Its close enough to fool the voters."
"Your brother may have his day. But it will not be today. Perhaps it will be at this convention. Or perhaps not. But it will not be today."
"Now you, Secretary, you are everything the Grand Old Party could ever pray for. If they draft you, you best be prepared to run."
"For President or away from the Party?"
"It's up to you."
"I've made my positions quite clear. So General, who do you believe will receive the nomination?"
"Some random ass Ohioan nobodies heard of. How about you? If it isn't a dark horse that is."
Lincoln pondered for a moment and replied "President Arthur."
"That old hack? He can't even fight off some old boss from Maine!"
"There are many who would rather vote Cleveland…"
"Who?"
"Governor of New York. Anti-Tammney. He's probably going to win the Democratic nomination."
"Oh, him." The General replied.
"Well many see him as a clean man, and would vote for him over Blaine. That will scare the bosses, besides with Logan out I don't see how he can get anymore delegates quickly. And the concept of President Edmunds is laughable. That leaves Arthur. No one really loves him, but he's reasonably popular and moderate. A compromise candidate. Plus as president he has the power to throw a bit of weight around."
"Him more then most." Sherman said and then let out a harsh laugh.
"He's a nice man."
"He's a nice Walrus. But that said I suppose you have a point."
Just then a solider stepped in, saluted and handed Sherman a telegram.
Fifth Ballot
James Blaine of Maine - 339
President Chester Arthur of New York- 328
Senator George Edmunds of Vermont - 89
Senator John Sherman of Ohio - 57
Senator Joseph Hawley of Connecticut - 14
Secretary of War Robert Lincoln - 4
Senator John Logan of Illinois - 2
General William Sherman of Ohio - 0
"Well look at that Robert!" Sherman laughed. "I will not be President of the Untied States." The General put a hand over his heart in mock surprise.
"What else?"
"Blaine slipped a bit after Logan's endorsement failed to cause him to be crowned King of the Republicans. And my dear brother seems to be gaining at Edmund's expense."
"And me?"
"Still only four delegates. Just hope they don't draft you."
"If they do I'll just quote you. Now pass me the bottle, its going to be a long ride." Lincoln replied.
_______________________________