The advocate., 1891-07-15

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gresS.
AS nice sample Of the base party
methods In vogue in this national admin
istratiOn, which has cabinet officers in
Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin
and which has Its president of the Young
Mems National Republican League at
Des MoineS, Iowa, let the following be
noticed from the st. Louis Republic Of
July 2, 1891, which may tend to make
earnest men more thoughtful, as they
notice the piouS methods Of Republicans:
The Washington press dispatches yester-
day morning announcing the appointment
by the president of Mark N. Harrington,
editor of the American Meteorological
Journal, as chief of the weather bureau,
created no little surprise in the city, es-
pecially among the friends and acquaint-
ances Of Prof. Francis E. Nipher of the
chair of physics of Washington University,
this city, whose appointment has been re-
garded almost as a certainty. This was
based not only on the fact that Prof. Nipher
is one Of the most eminent meteorologists
in the country, but also on statement
given out at Washington that at a confer
enCe between the president and secretary of
agriculture several weeks ago it had been
definitely agreed upon TO give the appoint
ment to Prof. Nipher.
With the view of obtaining, if possible,
an explanation of the Presidents unex-
pected action in the premises, Republic
reporter called on Prof. Nipher yesterday
afternoon. He was at first quite reticent and
averse to makieg any statement, but finally
on being pressed by the reporter and asked
if he could give no explanation at all, he
answered: POSSIBLY I could give an ex-
planation and, as you persist, do not know
but what it is just as well to state that the
reason / was not appointed was, apparently,
because my politics did not suit the ad-
ministration."
"On what do you base this supposition?"
queried the reporter.
"On telegram received few days since
from one of the cabinet officers"
When urged TO make the contents of the
telegram public, Prof. Nipher said: GAS
the telegram is signed officially l see no i'm
propriety in giving it's contents, but for the
present prefer to withhold the name of
the cabinet official signing it. The mes
sage was dated at Washington and simply
read: 'What are your politics?" and was
signed officially by the cabinet officer,
gentleman personally unknown to me.
From the developments of this morning l
suppose that my answer was not satisfaC-
tory"
Sand what was your answer"
"My political views are not sufficiently
simple to be explained in the length of an
ordinary telegram and l accordingly an
swered as follows:
ST. LOUIS, June 20, 1S9l.-Hon. ---,
Secretary of -: Replying to your teIe-
gram, as requested, respectfully state that
l am not a politician and do not intend to
engage in politics. FRANCIS E. NIPHER.'
"When / received the telegram + lost all
further interest IN the appointment for /
saw that to accept the place, if rendered me,
would put me in position during the COM
ing campaign to be regarded either as
bad Republican or renegade Democrat"
Gas this telegram was signed officially,
why can't you give the name of the sender?"
"Simply because do not consider this
the proper time to disclose it. have the
telegram at my command, slowed away in
one Of the vaults Of the Safe Deposit Com
pany, and if any question arises on the au-