The Washington herald., 1915-09-17
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Which One of the Chambers Was 1t?
Written expressly for The Washington He-ald.)
BY DR. f. J. EDWARDS


, One of the curious condolences asso-
ciated with our political campaign his
tory was spoken of at the time it occur
red as likely to become traditional. In
| 1876. Zachariah Chandler. who had been
for several terms United States Senator
from Michigan, was elected chairman OF
the Republican national committee. AS
sociated with Senator Chandler in this
work was William E. Chandler, who
served his party as secretary Of the COM
mittee. William E. Chandler. in his
later career, matched in some respects
the earlier career of Zachariah Chand-
Ter. For William z. Chandler served in
the cabinet of President Arthur as Zach
ariah Chandler had served in the cabinet
of President Grant William E. Chand-
| Ter was elected United States Senator
from New Hampshire after his service as
cabinet officer. although several years
later. He was reelected United States
Senator. Zachariah Chandler was re-
elected Senator after he had served in
the cabinet of President Grant. He died
a few months after his reelection.
These two Chambers were not near of
kin. although they may have been re-
motely connected. Both of them were
natives of New Hampshire. Zachariah
Chambers native town Bedford was not
far distant from William E. Chandler's
native town of Concord. The older poll
tician, however, moved to Michigan ana
in early life was elected mayor of De-
troit. William Z. Chandler has always
remained citizen of Concord and, al
though now in his soth year. he is active
ly occupied in the practice of his profess
sion
To these Chambers Is attributed the
beginning of the dispute about the
a1nCfi0n nr Prit Yn W n
them is due the publication. about dawn
OF the day after election, of the claim
that Rutherford B. Hayes had been
elected President by majority Of one in
the electoral college has always been
mystery. 1t is certain that Zachariah
Chandler went to bed shortly after mid
night of election day in his apartment
in the Fifth Avenue Hotel. New York
City. presumably believing that Gov.
Tilden had been elected President. Will
lam E. Chandler the secretary, remain
ed in the Republican national committee
room. An hour or two after midnight. he
learned from the late John c. Reid--at
that time managing editor of the New
York Times-that II the Republicans car
ried the electoral boards In the States OF
South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana
then they had elected Hayes by a ma
jority of one vote.
There was hurried consultation Detweeh
Secretary Chandler and Chairman
Chandler. whom the secretary had awak-
ened- AS a result of that consultation.
Secretary Chandler authorized publica-
ton in the New York Times OF the
statement that the Republican national
committee claimed the election of Hayes
by one vote. Both OF these Chambers
were Of the type OF mind and tempera-
ment which would justify the belief
that whatever was said in the confer
ence between Them then there was never
theless no disagreement as to what should
be done. That was the beginning of the
dangerous condition which was not set
tied under the election commission was
invented as a sort of arbitration board
to pass upon the matter.
Copyright. 1915 by E. J. Edwards. AL rights re-
serred)
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell why
Secretary Window Left the Senate.