Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-04
THE DAILY SENATE DIVERSION.
Animated War of Words Over Partisan
ship in Official Circles

Animated War of Words Over Partisan
ship in Official Circles
WASHINGTON CITY, Sept 4-Vest in the
senate yesterday offered resolution in
structing the select committee on civil sew
ice reform to inquire whether an employee of
the senate has been engaged in preparing
campaign partisan literature, and whether
the publication of the matter so prepared
has been made by this employe with his off
cial character printed thereon, and whatleg-
islation is necessary TO prevent and punish
such conduct. Vest showed book entitled
@Protection Echoes from the Capitol, edited
by Thomas Mckee, assistant librarian of the
United States senate He said that this gen.
tleman had no right TO issue such q book
unfair, unjust, malignant, and partisan in
its character, and to place on its cover las
letter of credit his official character. Dur
ing the discussion he sent to the clerks desk
and had read letter from Postmaster Judd
at Chicago, defending himself against the
charge of allowing the employees of the Chi
cago postoffice to be taxed for the Demo
cratic campaign fund. Mr.. Judd said it had
been done without his knowledge or consent;
that he had no control over Mr.. Esher's
4
had violated the law no senator more cheer
fully than himself would indorse his re-
moval and public disgrace
Cullom said that it was no part of the sen.
ates business what Mr.. Mckee did in his odd
hours in the way of preparing book Plumb
referred to Mr.. Cleveland's $4,000 subscrip-
ton to the campaign fund. He [Plumbl did
not object to it, even if it were coupled with
the insinuation from authoritative sources
that the example should be followed by all
officials under Mr. Cleveland But he did
| object to the snivelling and eanting hypocri-
sy that accompanied the whole performance.
| The senator from Missouri [Vestl thanked
the Lord the other day that he was not a
Mugwump; that meant his belief that to the
victor belong the spoils; yet he arraigned
Mr.. Mckee for issuing his book. The coun-
try knew that the administration while pro-
| Tossing one thing had done another. While
pretending not to do it, 1t had been cleaning
out of the service every Republican it could
lay its hands on.
| Vest denied this, stating that in the treas
ury department S24s, 600 was paid in salaries
to Republicans, as against $206, 900 to
Democrats. When he called upon Demo-
cratic head of bureau he was compelled to
talk in whispers lest the Republican clerks
should hear what he had to say in regard to
his party and its interests.
Plumt-W hat business has the senator to
be talking about the Democratic party to tn,
head Of bureau In office hoursl Laughter.
1t discounts Mr.. Mckee very considerably
Vest, continuing the discussion, said tina
when he considered how many Republican
who were praying for Republican success
were retained in office, he felt like quotin.
Lord Gives exclamation: "By Cd, gentle
men, wonder at my own moderation Re
ferring to the Chicago postoffice matter
Vest said he had never been able to tell
Republican from Democratic paper in tina
city. He had seen it quoted that This Time
was independent.
Plumb-It is supporting Mr.. Cleveland.
Vsst-Yes, and so is George William Cur
It's, but Mr.. Curtis would consider it per
sonal insult to be called Democrat
The discussion continued at length, Plum
ending it by stating that the Democratic ad
ministration had treated the public servie,
not as public trust, but as a private snap