Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-19
Senator Hale's Republicanism.

The New York Tribune published yester-
day the following statement from Senator
Hale in answer to certain insinuations recent
" appearing in that paper
NV attention has just been called to the
New York Tribune's Washington cores
pondence of Feb 18th, in which is said that
'the question in controversy between the
President and Senate touching removals
from office is not likely to be brought up for
some days, and it is further stated that this
delay is said to be due in part TO the attitude
of Senator Hale, Senator Cameron of Penn
sylyania, and one or two others who are re-
ported to be on friendly terms with the ad-
ministration. Democrats say this is due to
the retention of their friends in Office
can only speak for myself and that is to de-
clare that the statement which | have just
quoted is entirely without foundation.
have never sought to delay the bringing of
whatever question is to arise between the
President and the Senate to a point and If
there is to be a controversy the sooner it is
known and settled the better. have hoped
that such controversy might be averted. and
do not wish to see the republican party
committed to any contest which will be inter-
preted as an effort to retain republicans in
from being affected by favors from the ad-
ministration that am not asking or desiring
the retention of my friends in office. The re-
publicans in Maine who at present are hold
ing office under the federal administration
are almost entirely peronal political friends
of mine, and they do not ask me to keep
them in place and | have told them all that
they must set their houses in order for re-
moval at any time. | believe the republican
party would be stronger in the coming can
in the State of Maine if every republican
holding Office in the State were removed.
Where this has been done in several notable
cases | favor the confirmation of men who
have been appointed to succeed the republi-
cans. The collector of customs at Ellsworth,
Me. which is my home who is a neighbor and
an intimate personal friend and political sup
porter, was removed without cause in Decem.
Der last and took his fate like man. asking
no Intervention in his favor. When Col.
Dow, one of the strongest men in the State
and a warm friend of mine was removed from
the office of collector of customs at Portland
Maine, much the greatest federal Office in the
State, he accepted the situation in his usual
manly fashion and favors the confirmation OF
his successor.
have asked no favors of the administra.
tlOn ana nave TeCelVeu none anu MY view ~
to the policy of the party in case of removal
is the same as it was three months ago-tC
reject all bad appointments and confirm good
ones. Such cases as Piilsbury and Chase
should be rejected summarik have nc
doubt whatever as to the right of the Senate
to insist upon seeing all the papers filed ii
any of the departments touching the conduc
of public officers but should not insist or
such right except in cases where it is need
ed to vindcate the character of a removed
official who has been njustly assailed.
am quite willing to leave the question OF
my party fealty to the republicans of Maine
or to the members of my party in the Senate
with whom | am in daily association, but dc
not wish to see institutions against my re-
publicanism, which | think came from a
source outside of the Senate, personally hos
tile to me, circulated in the Tribune.