The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-28
TO BE RID OF EEEcHER.

y
send, has been removed from this AS
trict 10 that Of San Francisco Special
Agent James McHale. late Of the
California district. has been ordered
10 Port Townsend with orders to take
possession Of Mr.. DeeeheF's books and
papers. and there IS every reason 70
believe that the reign Of the ing
which has so long dominated the PORT
Townsend custom house i at last at
an end.
Mr.. Beecher's official career 10
this territory affords material Tor
a striking commentary upon the
personaI and obstinate spirit OF
President cleveiand's admInis;ra-
ton. lie was nominated for collector
OF customs for The district OF Puget
Sound for the simple reason that he
was the son OF Henry Ward Beechsr.
II was not pretended that hepos-essed
any special fitness fer the position.
that he had any claims upon the party
which had elected Mr.. Cleveland or
that his personal record was such as
10 entitIe him 70 an Office of such ina
portance. Those who we're personally
acquainted with him did not even pro-
fess to believe that be was capable OF
performing the duties OF that Office.
He was appointed solely because his
father had rendered efficient service
toward the election Of President cleve-
land
No sooner was the appointment Of
Mr.. Beecher announced than there
came from the people OF Washington
Territory an indignant protest against
his confirmation. The most serious
charges were made against his perso-
nal character, and leading Democrats
and Republicans united in urging bis
unfitness for the position for which be
had been nominated. The senate cont
mittee on commerce made thorough
investigation Of the charges against
Beecher, and unanimously agreed
upon a report advising against his con
firmation. President Cleveland heard
OF this action and az once withdrew
the nomination Of Mr. Beeeher, thus
saving him from the humiliation OF
rejection.
Almost immedistely, however. the
president appointed his protege
special agent Of the treasury depart
ment aud stationed him at Port Town
send. This was an Office which did
not require the confirmation Of the
senate. and Mr.. Beecber thus secured
a better position than that for which
the senate committee had deemed him
unworthy. For some time before this
new appointment there had been ru-
mors Of erookedness in the cas-
toms service at Port Townsend,
and these rumors did not cease when
Mr.. Beeeher became a special agent.
A number Of Investigations were held
and enough facts were adduced by
each investigation TO justify the presi
dent in removing Mr.. Beecher and his
most intimate associates from Office
The stubbornness which had induced
Mr.. Cleveland 10 appoint Mr. Beecber
10 a responsible position in spite OF his
known uufitness and unworthiness,
however, iinpelled him TO keep him in
office In spite OF all the charges against
him. Report after report was pigeon.
holed. Charge after charge was disre-
garded. Beecher was kept In Office
though the Port Townsend custom
house became a stencil in the nostrils
OF honest men.
While Beecher's removal from this
district is OF itself confession on the
part OF the government OF his unfit
ness. he is still retained in Office in
another field The fac, is only one of
many circumstances which mark the
hypocrisy OF the Cleveland admins
traiiou respecting It's pretensions.
The facts known 20 the government
in connection with this ease were
sufficient TO have justified Special
Agent BeecheF's instant dismissal, but
they we're diNegardetl and hushed up
because OF the stubborn determination
OF Mr.. Cleveland 20 stick by his APP
pointee through thick and hin.