Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-22
Picayunish Conduct.
Norfolk Landmark.)

While most astounding 20 US. the rumor
seems to be true that there will be or
ganized opposition in the Senate to con-
firming President Clevclands appoint
ment OF Mr.. Fowle as Collector Of Inter
nal Revenue for the Western Distric,
Of Virginia. the position made vacant by
the nomination Of General Fitzhush Lee
TO be Consul General Of the United states
AT Habana The President evidently
did not consult any Of the party leaders
with reference to the promotion OF MI
Fowle. but named him for the place be
cause IL was most proper and logical that
he should have It, His qualifications az
far as thorough acquaintance Win the
duties Of the office are concerned are un-
questioned. as he was for years deputy
under Captain Ham Shepperd, and held
the same position under General Lee
Thus IT will be seen that Mr.. Fowle
advancement Is directly In the Inc OF
natural promotion. On this ground no
opposition could be made to him. pu'
ever since his appointment those VINO are
dissatisfied, whoever they may be' nave
been searching for something TO give
them an excuse for their opposition. They
have given full ventilation to the circum-
stance that Mr.. Fowle is the cousin OF
Mrs. Lee: but that has failed TO pro-
ducc wild excitement, because the Gene
raj came into the Internal-Revenue De-
partment long after Mr.. Fowle. That
beinc the case, II is unreasonable 10 IN
sinuate that the relationship was the
motive for the Presidents action.
Recognizing. apparently. the weakness
I'm the exposition OF the relationship
which there has never been any attempt
to conceal. Mr.. Fowle's detmctors nave
devoted themselves with ardor to MI
mute study of his life. After delving
| backwards for twenty years, they have
| discovered that he was once engaged in "A
| card-game whereby he lost n large sum
! Of money. At the time OF the occurrence
there was some talk, as Is usual, and the
matter was Investigated. with the result
| Of a complete VindicatiOn OF the Deputy
| Collector from the charge Of any WTohg
| intent. Mr. Fowle was then member
| of the Virginia House OF Delegates. lie
| resigned as delegate. but did so purely
! on his own accord. The loss sustained
| affected his private pocket alone
Since that time L IS stated on emf
nently-reliable authority that Mr.. Fowle
| has never touched a card. and that he has
I conducted himself in an exemplary man
ner In every respect. He Is personally
liked and respected by his neighbors and
acauaintances. and has shown thorough
competence in the discharge Of his official
| duties In the light Of these facts, the
! attempt to injure him by bringing up oc-
| currences that have been by-gones for
twenty years Is most unfair and ungene-
rous. We hope that II this sort Of cam
| paign is continued, the Senate VIII
promptly discourage a repetition by rati-
! fying Mr.. Fowle's appointment with a
flattering majority. If Mr.. Fowle y ntteo
for the position, he ought TO have IT, ano
no amount of unjustifed nsinuation ant
small talk should be allowed to keep hin
ont of IT,
(Our information IS that Senator DAME
never has had thought OF opposing Mr.
Fowle's nomination. While we are no
so well informed as to Senator Martin
position. we are by no means sure tina
he will object TO the confirmation OF Mr.
Fowle either upon the ground that h
was not consulted as to the appointment
or because Of the poker scandaI-Th'
Dispatch)