The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-06-11
REPUBLICAN JOURNAL.
BELFAST, THURSDAY, JUNE IL, 1885.
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING BY THE
Republican Journal Publishing Co.
CHARLES A. PILSBURY....... EDITOR
RUSSELL G. DYER LOCAL EDITOR
Brother Mixes Amendment,

The Rev. Father Phean of st. Louis, it
seems, was mainly instrumental in securing
the appointment of his brother, NJ H. Phelan,
L. S. Consul General at Halifax he having
made pilgrimage to Albany and later to
Washington for that purpose. He had just re-
turned from the latter place when he was
called upon by reporter of the Globe-De
crat and asked his opinion of President Cleve-
land. lie was not at all enthusiastic, and said:
81 really have nothing to say about the Pres
ident, l only saw him for few moments"
The rest of the story is best told by the report
er and forcibly illustrates the power of patron
age-paced where it will do the most good:
AT this iuncture telegraph boy strolIed into
the room with a message, which Father Phean
signed for, and then AS he eisurely tore the en-
veope he SAID, Il am inclined 10 think he will
prove very satisfactory president" Here
he glanced at the telegram, and there was
flush of pleasure on his face. He continued
however, to address the reporter, but with APP
parent animation: "In fact, | can safely say
that he will prove one of the purest wisest and
most conservative President in the history of
the country. and his administration will put the
United States On firm business footing and
patriotic basis that all true Americans desire"
"1ou seem to have received some good
news"
Yes. This telegram informs me that my
brother Mike has been appointed consul gener-
al to Halifax, n. S. That is the place | was
helping him 10 get. 1t pays SO 900 year. and
is a most important consulate"
Last week numerously signed address wa.
received at the White House from st. Louis,
protesting against the appointment of Phelan.
Washington special says that :he paper is
drawn up in good shape. 1t sets forth that
there is nothing to be said against Mr.. PheIan's
integrity; the signers feel that he is not quail
fed for the position, and that the selection is an
unwise one. The chief opposition is based up
on Mr.. Phean's alleged unpopulsrity and bad
standing in his party. A brief statement is
made respecting the defeat of the gentleman as
candidate for State Senator last fall in dis
trict overwhelmingly Democratic. The pa
per says. This, it is claimed. is evidence that
Mr.. Phelan has been repudiated by his party at
the polls, and the President is assured that the
sgners of whom there are some hundreds are
all good Democrats who feel that Mr.. Phelan
does not deserve the appointment and that he
VIII not do honor to the Administration"
This is said to be the first intimaton received
that the appointment was unsatisfactory, and
it is now made known that still hunt was
conducted for the place by Mr.. Phelan's
friends. Father Phelan filed application on
his brothers behalf, accompanying it with in
dorsements from some of the most prominent
Catholic prelates, well as laymen, in the
country. Then Father Pnelan went away
and MIR Phelan came on to Washington and in
person nursed his boom. From the first an
nouncement of the candidacy to the appoint
ment scarcely len days elapsed. Mr.. Phelan
Immediately qualified, received his commission
and started home. The President is reported
as "surprised' at recent developments, and
as saving that if the protest had been received
earlier the appointment would have been de-
layed. but under the circumstances he would
DO nothing. So "brother Mike" will be likely
to hold on to his "important consulate''-at
least until the Senate meets.