National Republican., 1883-10-30

but with the method of a sneak and the spirit Of
bastard, he declined TO define the charge because
The sole oifense for which was thus arrnigned
was in having asked and urged the government,
on behalf Of the morning newspapers ana people
an early morning mail train from Philadelphia TO
HarrsGurgl 1t was my right. as 1t is the right OF
any citizen, to advocate increased postal facilities.
1t Is the province aud duty of the government to
consider and determine whether they shall be
granted. In this case the application was en-,
inently just. Philadelphia only sought wnat had
Already been provided for other leading cities
The advantage was public, not personal the only
individual benefit was such as any business de,
rlves from better mail accommodations, and 1t
was benefit equally shared by all Of the news.
papers and all Of the people.
IL Is my part In urging this train that Mr.. Hat
ton seizes as a pretext for holding me up as "the
originator of aud the principal sharer in" a pub
lie STEAL" The man who is capable of such
bnseness ought not TO be abe TO come into your
presence without blush and am sure that you,
Sir cannot look upon him without the contempt
ana loathing Which % an honest man ma feels ior "a
deliberate lying at every step. He knew that he
faslhed wnen he charged that there was II
STEAL" He knew that he falsifed in asserting
that the cost to the government was more than
sS000 600, when the total increase for all the add
tionel mail facilities on the road was only
and INSCRIPTIONS falsihcations, he did
not realize that he was befouling the admin.
iistTation Of which he was q part an and
ual his shaft went beyond and struck the Pres
ideut, who is his chief. Had he beenaware that
President Arthur was consulted in advance con-
cerning the arrangements for the newspaper train
and that his authority was given for every step
that was taken, Mr. Hatton's cowardly instincts
would have made him turn in u different direc.
ton. 1t is enough TO brand him that he uses his
place as public ottcer TO make false accusations
against private citizen; but it should be sutli.
blind malice he prefers charges against the Prosi
dent and his administration which are equally
false, but which, II true, would prove that they
Mr.. Hatton did not make these false accusations
after the lapse OF two years without reason. He
has severely, but justly, criticised his public
action. Like every other reputable paper in this
country, this journal has been constrained TO CON
denim the disgraceful exhibition he has made In
his present office, His whole conduct has been
offensive TO the public sense. II has been flag
rant public scandal that while tue government
hus been prosecuting tue star route thieves for
their pUnder OF the postal service, tue first assist
ant postmaster general Should at the same time
DO conducting the recognized organ and cham
pion of the plunderers. Nay more 1t appears
from the facts elsewhere stated that, while ar
raigning other journalists for seeking legitimate
postal facilities he has been prostitutng his pub
lie place TO serve his own private business ends
by arranging the trains to accommodate his news
paper and cut off his rivals. He has undertaken
to place others on trial. but he is now brought to
the bar of judgment himself, and the administra-
lion cannot let him go uncondemned without suf-
iering the taiut
The brazen hardihood and impudence with
which he recently Haunted his sentiment that
civil service reform Is a fraud land ahumbug" has
called out universal and indignant resentment.
1t was an affront 10 the President. an impeach-
ment of the whole administration and a defiance
of solemn republican pledges. The President has
done much to commend himself to public favor,
but the presence and federation of Hatton, with
his iusolent aud undisguised contempt for the
professions of the administration, bring reproach
and dishonor. Every representative journal in
the country has repudiated and denounced his be.
trayal of republican principles and his disregard
OF public obligations and 1t remains TO be SEE
how long the administration can justify sjlf
against this overwhelming sentiment.
You, Mr. Postmaster General, have happily LEFT
little doubt { your spirit and purposes. You are
believed to be In sympathy with the best aspira'
tions of the progressive republican party. You
have given new tone to the department ST
lnr as you ould with elements which were moi
of you own selection. You have have had new
evidence within few days of the character OF
your assistant, and you need not be told that a
man who will publicly make false charges and
privately conspire to suppess the records which
show his calumnies Is not your fit associate in
public place. You have sat down on him, as
everybody knows but for the sake of your depart
ment for the sake of President Arthurs adminis-
tion and for the sake of the republican party, he
ought TO be kicked out of the place where he Is a
standing public ofiense. i am, very respectfully,
CHARLES EMORY SMITH.