The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-16
WILLIAM Il. CHANDLER IN THE GARNET

WASHINGTON, April 14.-.Although as gen.
eral rule the President IL entitled to the prvi-
lego OF selecting the members OF his Cabinet.
partisan influences have occasionally prevailed
in the rejection Of nominees known to be emf
nently qualified for any public station. and
against whom no charge Of delinquency could
be preferred. Roger Is. fancy was rejected by
the Senate. when first nominated by Gen. Jack
son. David II. Porter, as Secretary of War. and
David Henshaw as Secretary Of the Navy were
rejected when nominated by John Tyler.
Henry Stanbery. who resigned rs Attorney
General to defend Andrew Johnson in the i'm
parchment trial. was rejected when renom-
mated for that place.
These were cases in which party feeling pre-
vailed over all other considerations. William
Z. Chandler was confirmed by the Senate with
out reference to the merits OF the case. and
mainly upon the ground that the President
might choose his own advisers. whether good
or bad. and must be answerabe for them to the
country. This fulse doctrine Is not only preju
dicial to the public service. but in tho present
case 1t has been used to condone a crime that
stands as the blacklist stain in American history.
Chandler was the first agent despatched by
his namesake. then Chairman Of the National
Republican Committee to organize the in
famous conspiracy. by means Of which the
Presidency was stolen. and after all the world
knew Mr.. Tilden had been fairly elected by q
large majority Of the popular vote. and by
majority in the electoral colleges.
II Mr.. Chandler had been charged with burg
larry. or horse stealing. with any other felony.
upon proofs like those connecting him with
this transcendent crime. he could not have
passed the Senate. Yet he was confirmed with
To- N Ia "a
including the two Senators from Florida. are
said to have voted for him.
Altogether. this appointment is the most re-
markable the President has yet made. When
Chandler was nominated for Solicitor General
last spring Gen. Arthur. then Vice. President.
was one of his most efficient opponents. and
contributed materially to bring about his rejec-
ton Chandler had been chief Of the Blaine
managers at Chicago. and In that capacity he
had aided in the defeat of Gen. Grant.
On retiring from the Cabinet Mr.. Blaine made
an open declaration Of war against the Admin
istration on account Of change in the South
American policy. He substantially announced
himself as candidate for President against
Gen. Arthur. In view Of these facts. 1t Is not
probable the President would have invited Mr..
Chandler into his Cabinet. IL the latter held the
relation to Mr.. Blaine that he did at the Chicago
CcnVentlon. VI course. a distinct unuerStAnu-
ing was reached on this subject.
The agencies through which this arrange
ment was negotiated cannot be long concealed
and when the whole story is told. as it must be
in the nature of things. we dare say the aston
ishment will not be confined to one political
circle. The President will soon discover that
he has made serious. il not fatal mistake.
Hitherto he has been prudent in the MAN. He
had the courage to abandon Effigy Sargent
when public opinion warned him against that
proposed appointment.
Had 1t been supposed possible that William
E. Chandler. with his odious record, could be
asked to sit at the Presidents council board
! the popular protest would have been far louder
| and stronger than 1t was in Sargent's case. In
deed. Sargent had no direct completely in the
| Great Fraud.
| Chandler was once Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury. and after gathering in choice cottoI
and other claims. he resigned that Office t.
prosecute them before the department Con
| gress passed law to prohibit that sort Of prac
tice. He was intimately identified with Bos,
Shepherd and the Washington Ring from the
beginning to the end and he was one OF the
benefciares Of the legislation growing out o.
that corrupt rule He is not fit man to handle
twelve and half extra millions for the navy.