The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-12
CHAIRMAN BROWN.
He Writes Letter Explaining His
Recent Actions.

The Hon. S. S. Brown. chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Committee, writes the following letter
in explanation of his recent course while in
Washington:
WATERvILLE Dec. 10, 1886.
To the Editor Of the argus:
Dear Sir-FOr more than two weeks / have
been confined to my bed with an attack OF pneu-
monia. Today is the first time l have been able
to sit up long enough to write you Some three or
four days ago first became aware of what was
being telegraphed from Washington about me, as
am given to understand under the inspiration OF
liSted' there because OF the fact that certain
gentlemen have seen fit to pay me for expenses
incurred in securing the fourth class post offices.
So far as the blacklisting business is concerned
care but little about that, but be it true or be it
false, time brings all things to light and am con-
tent to wait, but don't want to stand in a false
light among my own acquaintances and friends,
and hence write this letter to you and ask you
to publish it in the Argus, the only Democratic
daily in our State.
Some time in the early part of last summer our
Democratic State Committee determined that it
was important as a political influence to have our
fourth class post offices filed with Democrats as
soon as we could have them We then agreed
among ourselves by vote that so far as this class
OF offices was concerned each member of the COM
mittee in his own county should examine into
cases in his county, find out what was the wish of
the local Democracy as to persons to be appoint
ed and recommend the person for postmaster
whom the Democrats receiving mail at the va
rious offices wanted. And each member of our
committee was to respect that recommendation,
and was requested as chairman of the commit
tee, to endorse the papers of such persons and
use my efforts to secure their appointment.
have been trying for the last six months to dis
charge that duty. / visited Washington three
times in the discharge of this duty prior to July
On these several trips had paid out over $500
but had accomplished but little because the ad-
ministration was not willing to do anything for
us. But in July secured quite large number
of appointments.
The subject Of expense necessarily incurred in
this work was discussed by our committee at the
time and several times since, and it was the
unanimous opinion that the persons who received
the appointments should be called upon to contrib
ute each his part of the expense. When secured
the appointments in July notified by letters few
persons of the fact of their appointment by my
efforts and suggested that if they felt disposed to
contribute small sum towards the expense it
would be accented. Some responded and
some did not. On reflection it seemed to me
a little undgnified to call in this manner for
these expenses and since then l have asked no
one to contribute towards this expense.
1t seems that Mr.. Bass has picked up some of
these letters and now has them on exhibition in
Washington; II he thinks this dignifed pro
ceeding, and one that will rebound to his lasting
benefit, he is welcome to all he can make out OF
have done the best could to put Democrats
into office. l have had no clients. have done
nothing that / am aware of that in any degree
partakes OF the nature Of office brokerage. l
have taken such papers of candidates as have
been sent to me, and such as have found on file
in Washington, properly endorsed by the mem
bers of my committee and other leading Demo-
Gratis in their several counties, and tried to secure
their appointment. The amount of actual work
performed by me in answering letters, explaining
about charges and giving all sorts of information
cannot be well appreciated. have abandoned
my law business for six months, and paid out at
least 5000 more than have received II some one
else will now take hold and do the balance of this
work-for believe fully in giving the Democrats
all the post oficeS-I will be content.
Respectfully yours,
Chairman of the Democratic State Committee of