LS signed “J. A. Garfield,” four pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, February 2, 1874. Letter to H. Hubbard regarding a reduction in appropriations to Ashtabula Harbor. In part: “You are laboring under a mistake in supposing that the Conl on Appropriations has cut down the estimates for Ashtabula Harbor. In fact the subject of Rivers and Harbors has not been before the Conl on Appropriations at all…The estimate submitted by Congress on the 1st day of the session by the Treasury recommended $50,000 for Ashtabula Harbor. On the reassembling of Congress after the holiday vacation, the President sent in a message enclosing revised estimates made by the different departments. In that revision the estimate…was cut down to $15,000. Why this was done I do not know nor did I know that it was done at all up to the time I wrote you last. I shall do what I can to secure a good appropriation…but in view of the deficit in the Treasury, there is a very strong desire on the part of Congress to cut down the appropriations as much as possible…I hope you will let our friends understand just the situation of the case. I should be very sorry to have them suppose that my committee had cut down these estimates.” Garfield was working very hard to position himself as a cost cutter in increasingly difficult financial times. His cutbacks on any harbor appropriations would cement that reputation. However, his local constituents would have none of it. They continually embarrassed Garfield by demanding a generous appropriation when he he was trying to make a name for himself as an economizer. Accompanied by an original unsigned cabinet photo of Garfield by Litchfield Studios of Boston. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, with mild soiling along folds of opening page, and light handling wear.
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