Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-06

WlOn
body wanted and nobody recommended.
MR.. BROWN AS DISTRIBUTOR OF PATRONAGE.
In one case it was found that the chairman of
the democratic committee. Mr.. S. s. Brown, had
given up his law practice, closed his Office and
had come to Washington to attend tO the dis
trlbution Of patronage under the civil service
system. When 1t was found that this one-man
power was the source of removals, Mr. Hale
received letters from democrats and republicans
alike complaining of the new state of affairs.
Mr.. Hale read several letters-One saving
that the people had sent the Postmaster Gene
raj petition signed by eighty-four persons
was OF
came to Washington one of Mr.. Browns letters
was handed aods to him (Mr Hae-the letter
He bad made the inquiry for the purpose Of
Putting before the Senate full informa-
that Mr.. Brown had recommended 81 of the
new appointments. Mr.. Hale acquitted the
Brown. Mr. Brown had come to Washington
miStse. TIE Postmaster General had turned D
ant, who relied on Mr.. Brown. But the Post
master General had not made complete answer
to the resolution Of the Senate; he had not
stated whether the wishes Of the people had
been respected in the new appointments, which
was the summum bonum of the inquiry. No
system on which the proceedings complained
OF had been based.
AN EXTRAORDINARY EXCULPAToRY LETTER
Mr.. Hale read what he termed the most tex
traordinary exculpatory letter" ever heard Of
letter of Mr.. Brown to the Portland Argus.
stating, among other things that the demo
cratic committee Of Maine and Mr.. Brown had
arranged that the persons who should receive
appointments should pay something for the
stating that he BROWN had secured a large
number Of appointments to post Of.
fees. Mr.; Hale referred to the severe denun-
q
been expressed by Mr.. Beck in the Senate at a
circular issued by a republican committee
chairman, calling merely for voluntary contri-
buttons. What was the issuance of such q
circular compared to the condition of affairs
shown by the facts in this CASE The one may
the fountain. The republican party had not
always been perfect, but in twenty-four years
Mr.: Hale had never heard that public offices
had become matters OF public sale.
INDIANA DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON.
Mr.. Hale had heard from an employe of the
House Of Representatives that there had never
been In the summer season more democrats in
Washington than during the past summer and
that the Indiana democrats had not gone home
at all.
s,r. Voorhees, remarked that when Mr.. Hale
was SO told he (Mr. Hale was keeping company
With man who did not tell the truth. Mr..
Voorhees, warmly denied the truth of the state
ment, saying that of his personal knowledge it
was untrue.
Mr.. Hale did not care whether it was true or
not, though If the Senator from Indiana (Mr
Voorhees) had remained here, ut the suggestion
OF bis constituents to look after their interests
under consideration. Mr.. Hale believed he
spoke for the honest, conservative democrats of
Maine In denouncing the course pursued by the
democratic committee of Maine and by Mr.
Brown.
BUT WHAT WAS THE p. N. q. TO DO?
Mr.. Vest said it was impossible that the ad-
ministration should know every man who
solicited office. II Mr.. Vest had his way he
would make 1t misdemeanor for any man to
General to dor It had become a sort Of Com
mon law" in both parties for men to recon.
mend people for office Was the Postmaster
tionss Mr.. Vest characterized Mr.. Hales posi.
ton as mere cant He (Mr. vest) had before
now seen sn.t in the Departments at Wash
man is Endorsed by Vest and Cockreil."
and therefore the appointments had been re-
covered what he pretended to be new evil!
But for the democratic successes of 1882 there
never would have been civil service law passed
had been In the Senate for years without atten-
ton until the prospects OF democratic ascend
Nj. Hale said that had nothing to do with the
question under debate.
MI. Vest said his colleague Cdr. cockrelD and
heretofore under republican administrations
had found unmistable evidences Of the use Of
IN b sne cand nea n Oh and
letter showing any use OF money they could
convince the moral sense OF any man that
money had been used.
MIR. Voorhees, said the facts seemed to be that
three presidential postmasters and some other
minor postmasters had been changed by the
present administration. It seemed to Mr. Voor.
hees that that simply showed that not as many
changes had been made in the post offices OF
Maine Is the people had by their votes last fall
intended should be made by this administrs-
ton. He (Mr. VOOrhees) sympathized with the
republican postmasters who had been turned
out They would get used to 1t after while as
the democrats bad got used to 1t. Mr.Voorhees
was not here TO defend Brown. He thought
MR.. HALE HAD DONE A SERVICE TO THE DE-
DEMOCRACY
by exposing such q man. But did Mr.. Hale
suppose he could make an impression on the
country that the democracy of the United
States favored the course pursued by Mr..
Brown
Mr.. Voofhees differed from Mr.. Vest in one
| thing. He (Mr. Voorhees) was willing to put In
power and office the men who had helped elect
the democrats He believed 1t to have been the
intention of the trainers Of the Constitution
that the government should be administered by
the friends Of the administration which the
people should place In power.
Mr., Vest said he had merely meant to say
that u he were to consult his own personal ease
he would do what he had stated. He did not
| mean that he was not willing to help his party
Mr. Voorhees, wilndk iy conceded that fact.
Mr.. Logan, referring TO the allusions made to
the civil service law and the republican admin
Il R8 40 N = N At t. al