Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-13
the citizen. in Maine knew it, and the whole

State was scandalized by 1t.
We do not learn from this reply 10 how
many cases there were different petitions.
like some that have been alluded to IN the
letters which I have read, where small
number asked for the appointment of GER
tain democrat. and be was Endorsed BY brown
and the appointment made, when ten times
or twenty times Is many asked for the ap
pointment of another democrat. OF that we
have no knowledge. The Postmaster Gen.
eral has sent US no information 1pJn the
crucial question whether or not the wishes OF
the people who patronize these Offices we're
considered. We have no account OF the VS.
itation. and solicitations of this man at the
Posi-Ofice Department, or how he beid
aioft there the authority given by his party
and the committee of his party, upon which
he based this infamous system of brokerage
in public Offices. That is not disclosed oy
the answer of the Postmaster-General.
But Mr.. Brown himself avows this con-
troll. Driven at last to bay. with the news
papers commenting upon il, with resolu-
ton Of the Senate hanging over his head, ~lth
an indignant people aroused against MIN,
from the retiracy and seclusion OF sick bed,
on the 10Th day of December last he sends 10
the public probably the most remarkable ex-
calpatory letter that the annals OF modern
poll teal literature have disclosed. shall
put the whole letter. giving him the behent
| of it, into the Record. 10 accompany my re-
marks, so that nobody shall say that L nave
in any way misrepresented this man. he
begins:
To the Editor ofth Ar9us:
A democratic paper at Portland, Me-
DEAR eIR: For more than two weeks have been
confined to my bed with AN attack OF pneumonia.
To-day Is the first time | have been able TO sit up
oh M ri 20 Ia
days ago first became aware Of what was being
Photographed from Washington about me, under the
inspiration Of J. z. Bass.
SO that this commune alton, this e;nana-
| ton is not hurried one, but Is the result OF
| careful reflection and thought.
The story comes I am "blackIisted" there because
OF the fact that certain gentlemen have seen nj 10
pay for expenses incurred In securing the fourth
class post Offices So far the blacklising business
IL concerned but little about that, but De II
true false time brings all things TO light, and
am content 10 wait. but don't want TO stand In d
false light among my own acquaintance ana iriehas,
aud hence write this letter TO you and ask you 10
publish It in the Argus, the only democratic daily
| In our state.
| Let me read some of she statements of the
manner in which patronage is disposed of
under the ruling powers in the State OF
| Maine.
| He says:
| Sometime in the early part of last summer our
democratic stale committee Determined was
import ant political Influence to have our fourth
class post offices filed with democrats soon as we
could have them.
have found nothing in the civil service
resolution of any party's platform that reads
precisely like that
We then agreed
1t was a Harmonious compact
We then agreed among ourselves by vote that so
far IS this class Of officers was concerned each
| Der Of the committee in his own county should
examine into cases in his own county, hnd out what
the wish of the local democracy to persons to
| be appointed. and recommend the person for post.
master whom the democrats receiving mail at the
varic US offices wanted.
The republican patrons of the office were
excluded, am not much surprised at that.
And each member of our committee was to re-
| spect that recommendation. and was reques ed, as
chairman OF the committee. to indorse the papers of
such persons, and u-e my efforts secure their up
pointnent have been trying for the last six
months to discharge that duty | visited Washing
ton three times in the discharge OF tn duty prior to
july. On these several trips | hal paid out over
$780, but had accomplished but little because the ad.
ministratioa WAS not willing to de anything tor us.
| But in July l secured quite u large number of APP
pointments.
The Postmaster General does not say that
Mr.. Brown secured any. Mr.. Brown says
that lie did; aud from that day the gateway
was open and the appointments were made to
| the extent that the list indicates.
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 appoint
mente-
Let Senators listen to this This is giving
the deliberation of the State committee of
the democratic party of the State of Maiue-
should be called upon to contribute each his part Of
| the expense. hen secured the appointments in
July notified by letters persont of the tact of
their apo ntments by my efforts, and suggested if
| they felt dspos ed to contribute small sum toward
| the expense 1t would be accepted. Some responded
and some did not. On reflection il seemed to a
| little undiguided to call in this manner for these
expenses, and since then have asked no to
| tribute toward this expense
1t seems that Mr.. Bass has picked up some of these
| letters and now has them exhibition in Washing
ton II he thinks this dig alfed proceeding and
one that will rebound to his lasting benefit, he Is
welcome to all he can make out of it.
have done the best could 10 put democrats into
| office have had no clients. have done nothing
that anu aware of that in any degree partakes of
office brokerage, bat have received the papers of
such candidates as lave been sent TO and such
| have found on file in Washington properly en-
dorsed by the members of my committee and other
leading dsmoc ats in their several mites and tried
to secure their appointment. The amount OF actual
work performed by me in answering letters. explain
ing about charges, and Civ ing all sorts of intorma
ton can not be well appreciated. have abandoned
| my law business for six months ami paid out at
least 4 90 more than have received. If some one
else will now tax 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.
| S. S BROWN.
Chairman of the democratic State committee of
Maine.
Mr.. President, this is reform with ven
Veance; this is purifying the public SER
vice." this is cleansing the Augean sta
bles :" this is turning the rasc ais OUT" this
i. securing a non-partisan service!" Let Sen
stors reflect for moment upon the PROPOSE
ton that men Tho are appointed to office shall
he assessed for the expenses attendant upon
that appointment. Does any Senator know
where the line would be DRAWN The whole
brokerage business is not even thinly dis
gused, Let any party proceed upon that
presumption that men appointed to office shall
be assessed for obtaining the office. then YOU
have got every source of patronage polluted
and the service is debauched and DESTROYED.
And tins man wa. empowered, az he saws, bv
his party t. do this.
| 1t is due to fairness to say that several old
democratic members IF the State committee
DENY their knowledge that Brown was given
such powers but that he acted by the general
direction of the committee there is no reason
to doubt.
WHY, Mr. President. Senators will remem
Der three ago when the Senator from Ken
lucky Mr.. Beck AMI and other. vexeh this
body for DAYS with our contention over a res
olution which he submitted calling for an in
vestigation wherr voluntary contributions had