The Helena independent., 1889-04-17
OFFICE BROKERAGE.

DENT on yesterday regarding the tTaf-
hcking Ia government offices by the son
OF the president furnishes subject FOR
serious thought among people Of all
political parties, because ii shows such
an utter disregard fOr the proprieties by
one who should be- jealous OF the honor
OF the high Office TO which his father has
been elevated by the votes OF the electors
OF the United States. II is subject that
will attract all the more attention be-
cause of The indications that there are
strong grounds for suspicion that the
action OF the aon in establishing himself
as an Office broker has the tacit approval
OF the father, who is at The same time
the president Of the greatest republic the
world has ever seen. II shows that the
present administration takes an alto
gether different view OF the trust reposed
in a chief magistrate ~ the nation than
that which animated Grover Cleveland
when he declared that public Office Is a
public trust" Under The Harrison re-
gime, however. public Offices are 10
be regarded as merchandise - some
thing that member of the presidents
family may hold out a. premium for
the influencing OF transactions that
should be conducted upon strictly mer-
camille principles. II was such practices
by his sOn-in-law that brought about the
downfall Of President Greyy, OF France.
The statements in the INDEPENDENT
yesterday are absolutely incOntroyerti-
BILE, and show that Russell b. Harrison
has been instrumental In delaying the
appointment Of so important federal
officer AS the public printer until score
or more men in the employ OF corpora
tion In Helena in which he has 1nan-
cial interest shall come TO his terms.
The text OF the disgraceful letters
will only go TO prove the truth OF
every word that has already been printed
upon the subject, aud establish be-
yOnd question that X. Is. Harrison held
out as an inducement to the Typograph-
ical union to rescind a rule that inter
fered with what he considered 10 be his
business interests the promise (perhaps
indefinitely phrased, but none the less a
promise) that the government printing
Office should be put In charge OF mem
ber OF the union; that otherwise the ap-
pointment should be made In accordance
with the demands Of the employing
printers association. 1t will require q
very explicit denial OH the part OF the
president 10 make the public believe. lI
the face OF these facts. verified as the,
can be, that he was not party 10 III,
traflicking OF his son over an import
ant government Office. The people have
the right to insist that private business
interests OF members OF the presidential
family be kept entirely distlnc
and apart from the administration o
public affairs.
The subject in dispute between Nh
Harrison's corporation and the lielenI
Typographical union involved princi
pie that has very generally been hel,
by printers throughout the country
and which Is that on all daily newspa
pers all composition shall be paid for b,
the thousand ems, and that all reading
matter shall be measured by the com
positors, whether il is set In the office o
not, the purpose being toprevent the us
OF stereotyped plates and TO give EN-
ployment to the full quota Of men. Tn
plates are undoubtedly help to weal
and struggling newspapers. but ar
rarely resorted to by journals OF any pre-
tensions.
There are unwritten chapters regard
ing the deals over the appointments b
territorial offices which would make ex
ceedingly interesting reading for boil
democrats and republicans. Perhap
the time will come when these chapter
shall find their way into print, aud whel
they do the cheeks OF reputable republi
cans will burn with shame and indigna
tion at the course OF the son OF the high
est official representative OF their party