The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-19
WHO Is CHANnLERa


stood that William E. Chandler
claimed to represent sundry Demo-
cratic senators, and to speak for them
and from them. Those Democratic
senators declare that they understood
William E Chandler represented the
president, and claimed he spoke for
him and from him. The decision OF
this controversy turns upon what VIII
liam E. Chandler really said. IN
view of the possibility that Mr.
Chandler may have made both state
ments, then the public will naturally
inquire, How could he make two
statements SO contradictory in their
nature?"
In an effort to throw some light on
the matter the Democratic Brooklyn
Eagle submits the following outline
of Mr. Chambers character ana his
tory:
Mr.. Chandler believes what he says,
when he says it, and he believes the
reverse of it, when he says that. This
cannot be accounted for by logic or by
reason or by moral uniformity. But it
is fact and. as a fact, it has more
than once been shown. It has led
those with whom Mr.. Chandler has
sustained intimate relations, to drop
them, with the effect of dropping him.
Ihey never held against him any par
| ucularly hard feeling, but they per
suaded themselves that it was better
| for them, and perhaps better for Mr.
chandler, to pass him along to others.
With cabinet officers in several ad-
mintstrations Mr.. Chandler showed his
ability or facility to start relations
which were more strong than long
rive days after 1incoln's second in
auguratlon he was appointed Judge
advocate general of the navy depart
ment. Gideon Welles and he got on
Ill together, and on June II, 1865 he
was made first assistant secretary OF
the treasury. Andrew Johnson's ad-
minlstration was not a happy one for
nm, nor was Chambers influence
happy for it. His resignation was ac-
cepted and he did not again figure In
federal affairs until the Tilden-Iayes
contest.
He was sent to Florida to nullify the
democratic majority and nurse the
republican returning board on its way
TO a reversal of the vote OF the state
Ihat he accomplished. Mr. HAYES
owed his accession to Office to Mr.
Chandler's feats In Florida. But Mr.
CnanQler was soon denOuncing the
president he had made, and Mr. Hayes
/ found cause for happiness in Mr.
| Chambers denunciations. Mr. Chan
| dler then long figured as an attorney
! in Washington, but was not nominated
! for anything until Mr.. Garfield named
/ him to be solicitor general in the de-
! partment Of justice. The senate re-
/ jected the nomination.
When Garfield died, the gradual
| changes which President Arthur made
| in the cabinet led him to nominate Mr..
| Chandler to be secretary of the navy,
| in the spring of 1882. He held that
place for a longer period than he had
occupied others, but he retired on the
incoming of Cleveland in 1885
Two years afterward New Hampshire
chose him for the United States senate.
1 There he remained for two terms with
| tiyity Of a wasp and the penetrating
power of q bent pin. No man was more
bitter of speech or more skillful in be-
ing a cause Of discomfort to Others He
had friends. among his kind, and he
made enemies by an ac1d1ty of tongue
and Of temperament. In accounting for
them to his constituents he was skillfuI.
They were either unrecOnstrueted trail
tors or disobedient Republican ingrates
who had wiekedly differed from him
New Hampshire. however, got tired of
Mr.. Chandler. in spite Of the habit of
the state to continue its senators in
definitely in office. It elected a dulIer
and a better man to be his successor.
His term expired when the second
| term of President Mckinley began.
That amiable and loving man preserved
Mr. Chandler to public service by max
/ ing him president of the Spanish treaty
claims commission. Within the duietude
of that virtual sinecure. Mr. Chandler
escaped criticism by escaping observa-
ton until the recent denotement Of hin
as an intermediary or go-between
esta blishing confidential relations witt
the president, on the one hand. and
, with Democratic senators. on the other
His principals for admittedly he ha,
had two sets. agree IN saying that t
each he declared he spoke for the other
and now both md themselves at vari
: aIfce on account Of his facile versatility
? which has been the embarrassment o
all presidents and the comfort of none
e The important principles establishe,