The times., 1899-07-14
Chandler Ys. Brewer.

The only feature of national interest de-
yeloped by the fiasco at Concord, n. H,
where a United States Senator appeared
against his colleague charged with Grim
inal violation of the law, was the deter
mination reached by Senator Chandler to
prefer charges against Civil Service Com
missioner Brewer for himself violating
laws which he is sworn to enforce.
The charge preferred against Senator
Gallinger is trivial compared with the ac-
cusation against Brewer, which is support
ed by many physical evidences of truth.
Senator Gallinger was being tried for an
offence which is so common as to be al
most regarded as necessary feature of
successful politics. There can be no sort
of doubt that he sent out circulars, as
Chairman of the New Hampshire State Re-
publican Committee, soliciting subscrip-
tions TO the party campaign fund from
Federal offceholders in his State. Sena-
tor Gallinger would be laughed at by every
practical politician in the country If he
should seriously deny this accusation. He
would also be laughed at if he should at
tempt to make welI-informed people be-
lieve that he was not aware that his po-
sition as a member of the United States
Senate, wherein resides the power of Veto
ing appointments to Office made by the
President. gave peculiar force to his re
quest for subscriptions to the campaign
fund. Indeed, we shall venture to go so
far as TO characterize this act as hold
up" on the part of the Senator. But
,ho,. ....l II.
Gallinger, for, IL we should start quarrel
with everybody who does the very thing
for which he has just been fareically tried
and acquitted, We should have no time for
other more congenial and entertaining en-
ployment- II is, of course, well under
stood in New Hampshire that the charge
was brought against Senator Gallinger for
the purpose of retiring him to private life
at the end of his term Of service, and of
giving another the honors and emoluments
of the office. Senator Chandler's interest
in the prosecution of his colleague was not
unmixed with the motive OF personal gain
by breaking Galiinger down as a potent
factor in New Hampshire politics, 1t being
the popular understanding that Gallinger
ance in the Senate.
But with this factional strife we have
no particular concern. 1t is its exposure
of Mr.. Brewers unfitness for place on
the Civil Service Commission which
should arouse the active interest of all
the friends of good government. His dis
play of bias and his palpable attempts to
shield Senator Gallinger show that he has
no appreciation OF the grave responsible
ties of his official position. Senator Chand-
Ter should vigorously press the matter
upon the attention of the President who
may be too busy with the War Depart
ment and other affairs to read the news
paper reports of Civil Service Commits
sioner Brewers grotesque performance at
Concord. II the Civil Service Commis-
sioners are to wink at and defend viola
tions of the civil service law. the country
ought TO be informed SO that voters will
know exactly what they are doing when
they cast their ballots. And Congress, too,
ought 10 be advised, so that the civil serv-
by legal enactments that Civil Service
Commissioner, if disposed to himself ig-
more or defy the law, will dare not do so
with effrontery.
Senator Chandler can perform a service
of real value to the country by pressing his
charge against Mr.. Brewer on the atten-
tion of the President.