The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-07-05
BEN BREWSTER CAMERON.
The Attorney General Tells who
and what He Is and Says He IL
Not of His Kidney.

and what He Is md Says He ~
Not of His Kidney.
Tho statements that have been made by
tongue and typo of late concerning one Brew
s,er Cameron, late General Agent OF the De.
partment OF Justice, seem to have long been
weighing up on the mind OF tho Attorney. Gem
eral for he saw 1T the other day to abruptly
rice before the Springer Committee to a ques.
tion of personal explanation. He evidently
labored under the impression that the state.
Kin had found a lodgment in tho minds of the
committee, and that tt would be better to tell
what he knew OF
The Origin OF Cameron.
30 that his own skirts might be cleared. 1t
was during the few minutes before the com.
mittce was called to order ana Brewster was
sworn to testify that he spoke OF his name
sake. He began by announcing that 'Ben
Brewster Cameron ia not a relative OF mine."
He said that Cameron's full name was Benja-
min Brewster Cameron; that he was reared IN
the same neighborhood as himself, and that
he was his (Brewster's) namesake. "After
Cameron grew up he dropped the Benjamin
from his Christian name," said he, "and has
since been known as merely Brewster Cam
erOn.
He Got Into the POstO1ice Depart.
ment
and served as an inspector. almost lost track
OF him while he was In the Postoflce Depart.
ment, where, am told, he made most I'D
miraple record. l had heard he was keen,
way. Here the Atorney-General looked
around 10 zee II any OF his auditors appeared
to think he was applauding the acts OF one OF
his own blood by such fulsome remarks, and
perceiving nothing suspicious on their coun-
tenances contlnued.l Well, one day Cameron
came to the Department of Justice to pay his
respects 10 me.
A wonderful Discovery.
"At that very time was greatly troubled
about who should get TO be my general agent.
had exhausted every acquaintance Thought
capable TO I'LL the position, and had made in-
quiries of others for a man. So far 1 had ut
terly failed. While Cameron was talking to
me It Just struck me all OF sudden Stupid
fellow that was) that here is the man, the
very man, right before you. so said
benjamin, how would you like to be my
agentf' He looked at me surprised, aud
answered; why, would YOU have me? Am l
not too young" NO. said /, you are not;
Just the Kind of Man L Want.
active, capable and willing He said he would
take the position and appointed him on the
spot That Is how came to appoint him. To
say that II was studied appointment is false.
II came upon me instantly. He filled the place
so well, and liked him so well, that when he
asked mo TO help him to an appointment as
land ofllcer In Arizona said certainly, and
went TO the President.
Brewster's Present.
"His appointment was tho only one / ever
asked OF the President. 1 lust said: mr.
President, won't you make me present OF a
position for Mr.. Cameron? just give me this
as a present. The President named him on
the spot"
The Attorney. General was about proceeding
further with his argument to show that Cam
eron was not OF his own bone and blood, and
that he was not an eyesore TO the Administra-
tion, when Chairman Springer asked him to
be sworn, and the story was cut off short
PROBABLY never TO go again.