Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-28
ATTORNEY GENERAL BREWSTER.
His Oyerbearing KnsOlence and Un-
gentlemanIy Rudeness.

His Cyerbeartng knsOlence and Un-
gentlemanIy Rudeness.
WASHINGTON, March 27.-The United
States Government has an Attorney Gen.
eral d. Ifcient alike in manners, grammar
and punctuation, knowledge of law and re-
spect for purity Of administration Of jus,
tice. His examination in the Chalmers.
Manning contest, as revised three times by
himself, exhibits all these shortcomings.
He confesses to the employment OF Chal-
mers as Assistant District Attorney to
prose cute the cases growing out Of the elec,
ton in which Chalmers has direct per-
sonal interest, and he admits also that Chal'
mers is still employed. He admits having
had various interviews on this subject with
Chalmers, who made inquiries of him as to
the means of securing aid from the depart
ment. He says Chalmers will be paid a;
his Brewster's discretion sore reasonable
and moderate compensation.
Mr. Brewster's idea of what is reason
able may be inferred from his paying "De-
coy Bliss per diem OF $3.50 and his ex'
penses during the star route trials.
Mr.. Brewster says ne employed Chal'
mers upon the recommendation OF the
District Attorney for Mississippi, but on
being requested by the examining officer,
Mr.. Oliver, to file, as part of his depo-
sition, copies of all the recommendations
and correspondence on the subject OF this
appointment, he responded as follows:
"As to that have not such papers IN my
possession. Such as are upon file IN the
Department of Justice, upon proper ap-
plication being made for them, can be pro-
duced."
The examining officer asked il his own
request of copies of the papers would be
granted. Mr.. Brewster replied, No; that
he would not furnish them unless they
were called for by Congress.
\ very little
knowledge OF the Law
of Congress would have taught Mr.. Brew
ster that Congress had deputed its power
OF examination and to require the produc-
ton of papers to the officer before him.
The law provides (section 1l6 Revised
Statutes) that if sny person shall refuse or
neglect 10 attend any testify in these cases,
unless prevented by sickness or unavoida'
bic necessity, he shall forfeit $40, to De re-
covered with costs, and shall also be liable
to an indictment for misdemeanor, and
punishment by fine and Imprisonment.
Section l23 says that an examining othcer
shall Lave power to compel the production
Of papers, and a refusal to produce sach
pspers or to deliver certified or sworn
COPIES shall render the offender liable TO
the penalties imposed in section ll6
This examination, in order to oblige Mr.
Brewster. was held in his own once.
Cen. Huntou, counsel for Mr.. Masnlng,
framed the interrogatories, but was absent
Mr.. Brewster, upon reading the questions'
Upon His Nigh Horse
and said that they were impairment anu
that they were such as no gentleman "ou'u
put. .;,,;,,
near by. here said that he had not seen the
interrogatories; that Gen. Hunton, VINO
had framed them, was gentleman, out
that they would not discuss this matter
now. L.; r,o-,,
Here Mr.. Brewster turned to him very
ipsolently and told him that ne haa no!
asked his opinion or interference, ana tna'
when he needed him ne Wouio lni'f ~
him. ;,oj
sny manifestation Of temper and lett the
room ,.L as ovs.
sive on the part Of this witness, as OF tue
otber Government officials. Mr.. Brewster
Trstended 10 be ignorant as to who 1t was
Re had insulted, and asked who 1t was.
Mr.. Manning had clear right to be pres
snt. and to be free from insult
The result of all this will probably De :
rc-exami ination OF Mr.. Brewster, not ~ ms
own Office, where he is master, put at ina! 1S!
of the examining officer, Mr.. Onver. ne
will have to meet much more searcnlns
Hrsst;ons tending to elicit the truth from
S;s TsInctant lips, and he will be required
aIso To produce the papers called TO-, aud
lie Mr. Frank Hattou, Assistant Postmas'
Ter General, to ges down from his hlgo
horse and give up the secrets OF his prison
house.