Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-27
BEECRER's GATE EXPRESSIONS.
The Case OF Ms son-AR EXPLANATION
from Capt. Boecher Necessary.

prom The B4'ti.aore SIN.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-ln Demo-
cratic circles at the capital there is con-
siderable comment upon certain recent
expressions Of Henry Ward Beecher,
alleging that be has not asked for nor re-
ceived any political favors at the hands
OF the present administration, and then
indulging in caustic structures upon the
Democratic party generally. It is SAID
by Democratic Senators that MI
Beecher's utterances were pro
voked by limitations mat ms
sons nomination for collector OF Port
Townsend, Washington Territory, "ouId
probably be reported upon adversely.
The facts in the Beecher case are said DS
a Senator to be as iOllOws: soon after tne
advent Of the present administration al;
Beecher came 70 Washington ana secured
the appointment for his son az collector
OF POri Townsend. In due cJurse tns
nomination was referred 10 Jne oehaIe
Commerce Committee. Ia considering the
subiect evidence was submitted TO the
committee to the effect that Capt.Beecher,
prior 10 his appointment as collector
IF customs when captain OF a steam
boat navigating Puget sound, had been
requested by gentleman residing at one
of the steam boat landings on the sound TO
purchase $500 worth OF postal notes. Inc
Gentleman, it was claimed, delivered to
Cant. Beecher that amount Of money.
Time passed on. and as neither the postal
notes nor the money was heard from, the
gentleman appealed 10 Can't. Beecher for
0ne or tie OCA Capt. Beecher alleged
that ne turned the $500 over to a postal
route agent and requested him 10 purchase
the postal notes and deliver them
10 the proper owner. As Capt. |
Beecher failed to properly locate
the route agent, the committee was not
entirely satisfied with this explanation. |
The condition Of affairs was commune |
Gated 10 Henry Ward Beecher, who i'm |
mediataly came to Washington and used !
his efforts ia behalf OF mis- son, but did not /
make much Roadway. Afterwards Mrs. /
Beecher visited Washington on similar /
mission, but she met with no more sue /
cess tnan her husband. The committee |
insisted that Capt. Beecber must sat |
isfactorily explain the $500 transac- !
ton before favorable action would |
be taken on his nomination. de |
then came tn Washington and appeared |
before the committee and stated that be |
had used every effort TO ind the postal |
route agent to whom be bad delivered the ,
money, but without success. He de- |
clared that If the agent could be found be
must admit that be had received the
money from him. Senator'S DOlpn and |
Mitchell. OF Oregon, and the delegate
from Washington Territory are said TO be
opposed 10 Capt. Beecher's confirmation,
and but recently Senator Dolph received
a telegram from the route agent under
stood to be referred to, stating that he had
heard OF Capt. Beecher's statements re-
fectng upon his honesty and integrity,
and therefore he was anxious TO appear
before the committee and dissipate the
suspicious that had been thrown upon
him. The indications are that. unless ne
makes a more satisfactory explanation,
Capt. Beecher will not be confirmed. The
circumstances. Of course, must be very
embarrassing to his father, who naturally
believes mis- son without guile, but 1t is
not apparent why he should have any
more feeling against the Democrats than
Inc Republicans in consequence, as it
certainly has not been made party
question. IL is said that Senator, who
is a member Of the Committee on Com
merce, has been 10 the White House and
suggested TO the President that it would
be well for him to withdraw the nomina-
ti0n. This would probably not suit Mr..
Beecher. who, as he has very strikingly
shown. believes In standing fire.