Evening star., 1899-07-12
SENATOR ATTACKS SENATOR
Mr.. Chandlers Statement at the Investi-
cation Of M. aailinger.
An Interesting Incident of the Inquiry
Now i'm Progress at Con.
cord, N. H.

The principal feature of the Gallinger
hearing at Concord, N. H., yesterday was
a long statement by Senator Chandler.
previous to which, however, Col. Rufus N.
Eiwell, collector of customs at Portsmouth,
stated that he had received circular let
ter from William F. Thayer. treasurer of
tYfes republican State committee. asking for
a contribution. to carry on the committee's s
work. Ossian D. Knox postmaster of Man
chester. also testified. but he said that he
saw no such circular. and. furthermore,
had not been asked to contribute to the
1898 campaign.
Senator Chandler then came forward with
his statement. which he prefaced by short
history Of his connection with political COM
mfttees. He said he retired from the
republican national committee in 1854 and
from the state committee in 1890.
Thought He Should Leave Committee.
Senator Chandler continued: / said to
Senator Gallinger in 1895 and again in
1896 that he ought to leave the state COM
mittee for reasons connected with the civil
service law, but he would not go. In 1895
much to my surprise, he took the chair
manShlp OF the state committee. After /
had recovered from my surprise 1 went to
him to endeavor to cooperate in the work
of the campaign. We talked over the
means of raising money, both agreeing that
very little would be needed. We spoke of
individuals, of nominees for state Offices
but nothing was said of federal officehold-
ers. This was on October 10. Between that
time and October II 1 heard that an as
sessment circular had been sent to federal
officeholders. Governor Busiel asked me if
l knew of this assessment He said that he
had reason to believe that a circular for
assessment had been sent to office
holders. and he produced circular
which had been sent to state officers
nf fhar had
to federal ofiicehoiders We had long con-
ference, the result Of which was that he
said he would complain to the civil service
commission unless some other way could be
found to prevent these officers from being
assessed. Accordingly, Governor Busiei
with my knowledge, asked the commission
about the terms of the law. He came to
me later and said that he had determined
to make a complaint. In this l concurred
and the letter of October 25 was prepared,
containing the names of those to whom ii
was believed that the circular had been
sent l did not go again to the commission
during the campaign. The rest of my con-
nectfon with the business was all in the
correspondence with the commission.
called on the commission when | went to
Washington last fall and told them that l
would be at their service. Tkis is substan-
TALLY all wish to say. If l find that the
federal officeholders who have been re-
quested by the commission to appear here
do not come, or If they come and do not
testify, L shall tell the commission all |
know about the matter
Warm Words Interchanged.
At the conclusion of Senator Chandlers
statement he exchanged some warm words
with Senator Gallinger on his (Senator
Chandler's) contribution to the party funds
in 1894 and 1896.
James o. Lyford, naval officer at the
port of Boston, was the last witness, and
testified to receiving the circular from
treasurer Thayer. He also stated that the
assessment circular was sent to federal
officeholders in 1896