The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-07-18
The New Hampshire Civil Service In
vestigation.

The New Hampshire Civil Service In
vestigation.
The civil service commission inyes
tigation into the charges against u. S.
Senator Gallinger is over, as far as the
city Of Concord. n IL is concerned.
Commissioner Mark s Brewer has
given 10 the members Of the press who
had reported this proceedings Of the
investigation speech of an hour
and half in reply to charges made
against him by Senator Chandler and
Governor Busiel through the press.
Senator Chandler was invited 10 be
present by Mr. Brewer, but declined.
Mr. Brewer stated 10 the newspaper
men that when the FIRST letter came
from Gov. Busiel making the charges
against Senator Galliuger, ne was alb
sent from Washington. Had l been
present, my first suggestion would have
been that Gov Busiol should put the
charges in form and present them to
the district attorney for the State Of
New Hampshire lnasmuch rs they
seemed ID indicate a violation Of the
statute and not Of the commission 5
rules, the district attorney could have
brought them before the grand jury Of
a federal court and compelled the at
tendance Of witnesses which this COM
mission could not do
- Il have had personal acquaintance
with both Senators from New Hamp-
shire for more than twenty years, and
| have been on friendly terms with
them both account Of those friend
ly relations | did not desire TO come
here and try this case. | did come sim
ply because | was ordered to do 50.
Upon our arrival here, my associates
insisted that | must conduct the pro-
ceedings. This | did with as much
vigor as ever displayed in trial in
court. | have sought in every way to
elucidate pertinent facts. / never have
had thought Of screening anybody
from trial or from conviction fJr any
violation Of the statutes
In relation to the statement in the
course Of the investigation that he had
himself contributed 10 the campaign
fund, Mr.. Brewer stated that he had
never contributed one dollar IN viola.
tion Of any statute.
Il have accomplished ten times more
for the cause Of civil service than Sem
ator Chandler ever dreamed OF, ~ re.
marked Mr.. Brewer parenthetically
With reference - the fact that he
notified witnesses they were not obliged
t. answer certain questions, Mr. Brewer
said he did only what any Judge in
any court in the land would be eX-
pected to do; that il, inform witnesses
~ to their legal rights Commissioner
Brewer quoted Senator Chambers re-
marks that the other investigators
Commissioner Harlow and Agent
Wales, were good fellows, " and ex
planned, Il did nothing here except
get mad that has not met the approval
Of these two good fellows and take
the responsibility for getting mad. II
Senator Chandler had continued those
insinuations would have flung him out
Of the window No man with particle
Of elf-respect could sit still and permit
such allegations to be made by gem
tleman Of his position.
As to Senator Chandler s movements
for his removal, Mr.. Brewer said
BLESS his dear heart, he knows moth
ing about my relations with the Presi'
dent. and no more about the civil ser
vice commission than does the man in
the moon. l am not filing the position
at my own request and through my
own seeking, but simply and solely be-
cause William Mckinley sent Cor me
and urged me to take it II President
Mckinley should decide t. take the adj
vice of Senator Chandler and Gov.
Busiel, and should ask me for the chair
| have occupied for the past eighteen
months, it would be almost as pleasant
to me as to Senator Chandler.
| am earnestly DESTROYS, as a
member Of the commission, and as
a citizen, Of having the law aud the
rules thoroughly, honestly and straight
forwardly enforced in every State of the
Union. Senator Chandler and have
long been friends, and will be again in
a few days | doubt not. "
Senator Chandler, when seen later,
said that his position is not at all
changed by Mr.. Brewers statement.
He will prefer charges against Commits
sioner Brewer, not on account of any
personal discourtesy, but on account Of
the general misconduct Of the hearing
by the commission.