Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-12
LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?
Investigation Of Senator Calm
gers Political Assessments.
Civil Service Commissioners to Decide
If Rules Were Violated
In Asking Political Contributions from the
United States 0ilicehoIders.

SOACofu, N. H., July ll.-SlNll ser
vice Commissioners ]. b. Harlow and
Mark S. Brewer opened an investiga-
ton at the Eagle hotel in this city. this
morning, into the charges made by
eX-Gov. Charles A. Busiel that United
States Senator Jacob H. Gallnger, as
chairman of the Republican state COM
mittee during the last campaign, vio-
lated the civil service law by assessing
United States ofiiceholders for politi-
cal funds.
The investigation opened behind clos
ed doors, the attendance being limited
to the parties involved. one counsel for
EACH and the witnesses, who are ad
mitted one by one for examination.
Attorney General Edwin G. Eastman
of Exeter, acts as counsel for Senator
Gallinger and Edwin II. Shannon. Esq,
of Tacoma, for Gov. Bushiel. Senator
William f. Chandler is present as a
party interested, though whether as a
prosecutor or defendant is somewhat
uncertain in view of the charges and
counter charges made.
The witnesses who were asked to be
present. the commission having no
power to compel their attendance.
were William F. Thayer, Concern, n.
H.; Ira C. Evans, Concord; John II.
Walker, Washington; James o. Lyford.
Boston; James A. Wood, Portsmouth,
N. H.; Orrain ID. Knox. Manchester;
Frank Gilman. Laconia; w f. Chand-
/ Ter. Concord: Edward n. Pierson, Con-
cord: Thomas +. Clifford, Concord: Ed
ward H. Carroll, Warner, n. H.: Rufus
n. Elwell. Portsmouth. n. H; John A.
Spaulding, Nashua, n. H; John I.
Walsh. Dover. \. H.; Henry Robinson,
Concord, n. II.
This investigation is held to allow
the commissioners to examine the eVi-
dences to decide if it warrants the fur
Their prosecution OF the case. If they
decide that it does, the United States
authorities of the department of JUS
tice will be called in.
The charges which the commission is
investigating were made by Mr.. Bush
iel during the last campaign and have
| been actively followed up by him since
that time.
Ex-Governor Busiel, who is Re
publican. claims that his action is
based solely upon his belief that it
would not be honest for any man to
let his party get the benefit of moneys
collected in violation of the law. Mr..
Busiel says he wants only 4 fair and
| impartial hearing of the case. Sena-
tor Gallinger says: 1t has been charS-
ed publicly throughout the country
| that | have violated the Federal stat
utes; it remains to be seen whether the
gentlemen who have undertaken the
prosecution of this case have any proof
to substantate their charge.
The senator says he regards the pro-
ceedings as being very unclean. and he
expects to be completely exonerated.
At the conclusion of the morning SEES
sion it was announced by the commits
sioners that report of the proceedings
of each session would be furnished at
the conclusion of the session to the
newspaper men. 1t was given out that
at the morning session the only wit
ness examined was Ex-Governor BuSlel.
who detailed the circumstances attend
ing his making the complaint TO the
civil service commission. last October,
and testified as to the correspondence
between him and the commission.
Senator Gallnger asked the commits
sion if he was to understand that the
Senator Chandler. The commissioners
informed him that he might draw his
own conclusions.
Gov. Busiel read long statement as
10 his reasons for action in the matter
saying that he was animated by de-
sire to see the civil service laws en-
forced He was not actuated by any
unfriendly feeling towards Senator Gal
linger and he had no desire for re-
venge upon him.
Senator Chandler said that he de-
sired to make statement and the
commissioners informed him that he
would have an opportunity later in the
day.
The morning session concluded with
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