Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-31

Congressman Page and the san Francisco
Mint.

Special TO the REcoRD-UsIoS.J
WASHINGTON, May S0th.- Congressman
Page being found at leisure to-day, was
asked whether he had seen the resolutions of
the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, re-
Gently telegTaphed to the Eastern press, rela
tive to himself and Superintendent Dodge.
He replied that he had read in New York
newspaper what purported to be ful, state
ment of these resolutions, and in response to
further request for an expression of what
he thought of them, he proceeded to make
the following emphatic comments and spicy
ountersstatemeuts, which are given in his
own language, verbatim
These resolutions were evidently intended as a
certificate Of good character for Mr.. Dodge, and
will doubtless be considered strictly commercial.
He needed certiclte of some sort as an offset OF
his violations OF the law, but how this ntermeddling
by commercial body with my official action on
behalf OF the law and Of the citizens can benefit or
promote the commerce of Sarl FTanci-co am unable
to perceive was informed that Mr.. Dodge did
not comply with the provisions Of the law relative
to advertising for bids Tor the purchase Of materials
needed by the Mint, and that he had exhibit cd
fayoritism in the selection of persons from whom he
made his purchases. Ny atte ton called to
this violation Of law by several letters from Teput
able citizens Of California, and / was requested
to take some step that would compel
Dodge to obey the law. Among others Pummer,
of Newark, Alameda county, wrote one on this sub
iect and the harshest term used by me, " favorit
ism was taken from this letter. The effect OF my
chi icism has been to induce the Director Of the
Mint to write Superintendent Dodge letter direct
ing h.m 10 comply with the law TO advertise for
supplies, and to accept the lowest bid offered In
common with the entire Republican delegation from
California, opposed his appointment TO the posi-
ton he holds and never, except in one instance,
SOUGHT to Influence his official acts until his
special invitation On oce occasion ad-
yised the reinstatement OF competent
man. who had been dismissed but it was my uni
form practice when asked by friends TO use my in
uence to secure positions in the Mint to reply that
had originally opposed the appointment Of Dodge,
had no influence with him, and that my recon-
mendations in their behalf would be useless. In
October last however, visited Mr.. Dodge, at his
quest conveyed through Mr.. Cic0tt, the Coiner OF
the Mint, and he then, after complimenting me on
the ability and success OF my canvass, requested me
to recommend persons for positions in the
Mint. | submitted list of six seven
names. Three Of them were appointed, and
the remainder rejected. In reference TO these re-
iections ] wrote him, and his published
letter is the reply made to letter OF inquiry. |
am now of the impression that / was invited to
make the recommendations simply in order that
Dodge mi yht be enabled to put up the false plea
that was attempting to run his Office. Ii there
are persons retained in the Mint formerly recon-.
mended by me, that fact is the best evidence Of the
sdom of my selections and OF their competence,
for they are certainly not retained out of any
sideration for me- | have always believed that it
was my duty when it could be iegitmately done, TO
aid my constituents in the matter Of office and pat
ronage and am not prepared no." 20 admit tn It this
action is wrong censuTabie, when due regard Is
had TO the interest Of the public service.
You VIII observe that Superintendent Dodge rests
without reply or explanation under the imputation
of nv letter relative to the questionable methods
by which he obtained his place. The truth is good
taste and manners, if not good morals, condemn the
ways by which he reached his present Office, and he
knows that in the estimation Of tine sadisg I;epsso-
lcans of the State he Is considered an intruder,
holding position through party patronage vet pre-
sentng no sufficient claim to any consideration from
the party to whom he owes his elevation have
no personal controversy with the superintendent,
neither expect ask patronage at his hands. He
must nevertheless, obey the law in the matter of
purchasing materials and supplies Tor the Mint. He
must advertise the law requires and give every
citizen an equal chance for competitive bids and
no Endorsement commercial or otherwise shall
deter me from calling attention to his past violations
of the law nor hinder me in the effort to consran
his obedience to the law in the future.
Tie situation nj Chicago.
CHICAGO, May 3Oth.-The action of the
National Committee, at its meeting to-mor-
row evening, is anxiously looked forward to,
because it is expected to take some action re-
specting the plan to be pursued in conducting
the Convention. 1t is alleged that the anti
Grant members of the committee, who have
considerable minority, are determined to
first exact pledge from Senator Cameron to
carry out their Instructions, and then to sub
stantially abolish the unit rule in the preliIn-
inary organization It is said by some dele
gates that in case Cameron should refuse to
consent TO this arragement ne would be de-
posed Several propositions looking to a set
Element of the vexed question are supposed
to have been rcade to-day, hut nothing IS
known to have been accomplished. 1t is pre-
dicted tonight that the real contest will be
in the committee meeting, and that the Con-
vention itself is likely to be harmonious.
Senators Hamlin and Blair arrived to-day.
CHICAGO, May 3Oth-Indications multiply
that the first fight viii be had tomorrow at
the committee meeting, and that it will prob
ably result IL Cameron being deposed. So
little faith have the opposition in Cameron
carrying out any programme they may lay
down, that they generally seem to prefer all
other man.
To-day's development show that extrava-
CANT claims have been made by Grants
friends respecting the Southern delegations,
and that not one of them will give Grant a
solid vote In North Carolina, where Grant
has been claiming everything, the delegation
stands, according to the Chairman, Sherman
l6, Grant T. Alabama is likely to give sew
eral Sherman votes, despite their instruc-
tions.
The anti-Grant leaders had colloquy with
Mcpherson of Pennsylvania to-day, respect
ing the parliamentary questions likely to
1t is asserted that Cameron was handed
five names which would be satisfactory to
the anti Grant men for Chairman, namely
Ben. Harrison, Mitchell of Oregon, Hoar,
Foster and Butterworth.
The Blaine men from Maine are decided
and enthusiastic, and cannot see that it is
possible to defeat their man.
There has been stiffening of the upper
lips all round to day, preparatory to Grants
l.,
important day than that on which the Con-
vention meets, for if it decides on the aboli
tion of the unit rule Grant is almost neces-
sarily beaten.
The California and Colorado delegations
have arrived.
The Texas Pacific Bribery Charge.
CHICAGO, May 30th.-The Inter Oceans
Washington special says: James .. George
has written letter to Senator Hannibal
Hamlin affirming that his charge OF bribery
in the Texas and Pacific legislation does not
refer to Senator Blaine. He says the papers
in his possession do not implcate the Maine
Senator in any way. He closes with the
affirmation that he has no motive except to
do Blaine justice in writing this letter, aud
leaves it to Hamlin's discretion as to what
use he will make of it. 1t is believed
here that while the George letter does
not implicate Blaine, if he should be nomin-
ated it will afford an excuse for the Democrats
to open up all the old railroad scandals. how
ever malicious, for campaign purposes,
whereby they will attempt to cast suspicion
upon the personal honesty OF the Republican
nominee. This ID suspected to be the chief
motive for prolonging the session.
The " hitiaker Case-The End Not Yet.
WASHINGTON, May 30th. = Professor
Greener arrived from West Point to-
day. OF the Whitaker inquiry and findings
of the Court, he says Whitaker has been
prejudged on suppositions assumptions, iu-
situations ard expert testimony, upon
which, according to military law, httle
if any reliance should be placed He
says the academy dexterously shifted the re-
sponsibility by having Whitaker call for
Court of Inquiry, instead of having it
come from the President. BY doing so they
placed Whitaker alone in the position of an
accused, while had the President ordered the
ipnuirv The tyhoie ,.a-.,s of cadets \Tb;tfaL..