The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-07-02
Cleveland's Recent Appointments.

President Cleveland's appointments for the
Port of New York are Edward l.. Hedden
Collector, ii. S. Beattie, Surveyor, and Silas
W. Burt, Naval Officer.
MIR. Hedden is man but little known outside
of the business circles of New York. For many
years he had charge of the Custom House bust
ness Of the firm of Wetmore, Cryder & Co..
which firm the New York Times saws went out
of existence last May because of "dry rot"
H. Stevenson Beattie. who succeeds James
l.. Benedict as Surveyor of the Port has for
three years been deputy county clerk and is
one of the most active of the Younger Demo-
cratic politicians in the city. He is secretary of
the county committee of the New York county
Democracy and also subcommittee on WAYS
and Means. He is, and for some years has
been. the county Democracy leader in the
Thirteenth Assembly district.
Sas W. Burt. who succeeds Charles X. Ora
ham, as Naval Officer although long Repubi-
can, supported the Cleveland and Hendricks
electoral ticket last year. He is a Unknown
citizen and graduate of Union College In
1870 President Grant appointed him deputy
/
Officer by President Hayes, and held that posi-
ton until removed by President Arthur. He is
now an examiner of the New York Civil Ser
vice Board.
These appointments are rot calculated to raise
the President in the estimation of the country
and are not in accord with his professed civil
service views. Secretaries Manning and Whit
naI tod ttp
Herbert o. Thompson, the boss of the corrupt
Board of Public Works and the County Dem
ocracy, and even the President himself was
favorable to him. but dared not make the all-
pointment. The President, however, informed
Thompson that While he could not give him
the appointment he would give it to any one
that be might name. Thompson suggested
Hedden. and hence the appointment. The APP
pointment of IIedden and Beatie is triumph
of the County Democracy over Tammanv. and
is particularly displeasing TO the latter, while
the appointment of Burt, renegade Republic
can, is a sop to the Mugwump element.
| The selection of Mr.. Hedden by Mr.. Thomp-
son is accounted for on the ground that he is
the father-in-aw of Mr.. Worthington, who was
| "
the 1899 contract scandals, and supplied the
water meters which were introduced bv Mr..
Thompson.
The New York Times, (Mugwump) says of
the appointment of Hedden:
The President has made Mr.. Hedden Collec-
tor of the port of New York. This puts upon
Mr.. Hedden the task Of justfying the appoint
ment. 1t is not one which justfe> itself. 1t is
an appointment which will be criticised more
severely than any other the President has made
for it is not naturally and copspicuousiy fit, but
one requiring explanation. calculation. and
even excuses and palliation. Into the most i'm
portant office, outside of the Cabinet. which
the President has been called upon to fill be has
put man not only almost unknown to the bus
| mess community of the city, and absolutely I'M
known, IA man who represents Mr.. Hubert O..
Thompson and nothing else.
The Boston journal SAYS:
He is or has been merchant, but he is known
! to very few of the business men of the citv and
| has never been numbered among prominent
merchants. His selection is accounted for on
| the ground that he is the friend and candidate
of eX-CommissiOner Hubert o. Thompson. Mr.
Thompson himself was candidate and one who
had claims upon the President, since he did
more to secure Mr.. Cleveland the support of
the New York delegation in the Chicago Con-
! vention than any other man. Secretary Man
ming, and, indeed Secretary whitney, desired
Mr.. Thompson's appointment and the President
would have been pleased TO have recognized
his able supporter, but he knew that it would
array against him his independent supporters.