Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-03
Disguised Democrats.
INDIGNANT AT THE NOMINATION. OF PEAR
soN.-JUBrLANr MUGwUMPs.
[W..hington special to Tribune

Washington Special to Tribune.]
The word disgust" describes but family
the feeling with which these nominations
we're received by the democrats. To ap.
point to office, men who had never rendered
any service to the party was bad enough; but
to yield meekly to the insane clamor of mug
wumps was an objectionable sin. The ears
| of both the President and Postmaster Pear
son must have tingled all day. By nearly
every faction of the party the nomination il
denounced as political blunder of the first
magnitude. The mugwumps of course, are
jubilant. They look upon Mr.. Pearsons re-
appointment as great victory. No doubt il
is. But they have to share the glory of their
triumph with the New York County Democ-
racy When Hubert o. Thompson was here
about a week ago, he called repeatedly at the
White House and impressed upon the Presi-
dent the importance of giving Tammany a
black eye. 1t was the only way,
he said, in which to keep the In
dependent vote on their side. Tammany
must be ignored; the county democracy
must be exalted. Mr.ICleveland listened at
tentively while Mr.. Thompson unfolded his
plan for the disposal of the postmastership and
the collectorship of the port of New York.
One should be given, he said, to the county
Tammany should be punished at all hazards.
The President agreed with Mr.. Thompson,
and on the day the latter left the city Mr..
Pearsons reappointment was decided upon.
Mr.. Pearson's name was not Immediately
sent in to the Senate, because the President
feared the clamor and anger of his democrat
ic friends. For ten days he has been piled
with advice, counsel, suggestions, prayers,
remonstrances, threats-all having for their
object the defeat of Mr. Pearson. Postmaster
General Villas one of the most practical politi-
clans enjoying the confidence of the President,
strongly urged the appointment of a good
democrat. So did other influential men in
the party. They were opposed by mugwumps
who were determined to make this test case.
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher made a
personal request in favor of Mr.. Pearson.
Editor Godkin hurried to Washington and
pleaded for Pearson. The cable, even was
put in requisitiOn to help his case. Two days
ago the President almost wavered and SEEM
ed determined to give the office to democrat.
Hubert o. Thompson got wind of it however,
and at once dispatched to the front Mayor
Grace, who finally carried the day for Mr..
Pearson. 1t is whispered on the street that
the Mayor was anxious to show his gratitude
for certain votes which helped to elect him.
NJ any idlc TIC appointment was uiduc To-
day, and the storm it has raised is not likely
to blow over for some time. One
Disguised democrat blew his nose in
eloquent fashion as he ran his eye
over the list of nominations, but when it
struck the name of Pearson the air became
blue all of sudden with bad language. Con-
gresham Singleton, who, as a candidate for
Commissioner of Agriculture, read his own
death warrant in the appointment of Mr.
Colman, yet had presence of mind enough
left to abuse the President roundly for
yielding to the Mugwump threats. "Ii
Pearson is reappointed because he is a good
officer, why should not every other good Off
Ger be reaprointed ?" asked one democrat
And the Critic tonight pertinently remarks
IF Pearson should be appointed, why should
Wildman of Indianapolis. be turned out ever
before his time was up?" Wildman is JUS
as good an officer as Pearson. Why make
| flesh of one and fish of another? Is it be-
cause Vice President demanded one ant
the mugwumps the other ? Where does civil
| service reform come in"