Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-12-10
SECRETARY Bristsw and the sspsrvis.
III Ina Architect.
IY.shinetoa Czronisle. Dec. II

Twashingtoa cA,onieie. Dec. u
The statsments that have been sent
from here In relation to the difficulty be-
tween Mr.. Bistow and Supervising Arch
itect Muliett have been, from beginning
10 end, O tissue OF plumbers, misrsprs-
ssntations, and, In some instances, alb
solute and Intentional fAlsehoods. Now.
however. that the imbroelio has been
treated BY the New York papers a. likely
TO lead to Q disruption Of the Cabinet
and an alteration Of the plans OF all the
public buildings now In course OF con-
struction, O full statement OF the . 10
certainly in order. II il true, a. has
been stated. that the law OF Congress
requires the chief clerk TO control the
expenditure OF money appropriated by
Congress for alterations, repairs and fur
niturs OF the Treasury building. But 1t
Ia not true, a. has been stated, that Mr..
Mullstt has directly or indirectly con-
trolled. or even attempted or desired to
control. this appropriation. II has,
from first to last, bsen controlled by the
chief clerk. through his " subordin-
ate. the Superintendent OF the Treasury
building.
II has been the custom Of the Super
intendsnt, whenever alterations or new
furniture were required by the Secretary
or bureau officers, to call upon the Su-
perviaing Architect for plans, which
might or might net be adopted.
Bills for making the furniture or alter
atoms were submitted to the Supervising
Architect as an extra %precaution against
oysrcharess, but no bill could be paid
without the approval Of the Chief Clerk
or his assistant. the superintendent OF
the building. The Supervising Architect
had no more control over tho sIpsndi-
lures in question than the mechanics
Who did the work. He was simply called
upon for designs, and frequently asked
II the bills rendered for executing them
were right and proper. His opinions
might influence the Chief Clerk or Su.
perintendent, but he could not, and did
not IN any instance, control them. In
this matter the Supervising Architect
merely acted in o subordinate capacity
to the Chief Clerk and superintendent.
The whole trouble grew out OF a misap-
prehsnsion on the part OF the neg Chief
Clerk, Mr.. Avery. who, when called upon
BY Secretary Bristow for n report OF the
expenditures In question. replied that
Mr.. Mullett controlled the matter. Now.
Il 30 happens that both Secretary Bris-
tow and Supervising Architect Mullstt
are men Of "short patience" or rather
high temper. and that morning both
were somewhat irritable. 30 when the
Secretary sent for the Supervising Arohi-
tect and called his attention to the
alleged violation OF law. which. as has
been seen, did not exist, he got a short
answer, and a few unpleasant but not
violent words passed. which both officials
have since regretted.
Supervising Architect Mullett's resig-
nation will take effect when his success
sor Is appointed, which may be in one
week or two years. Meanwhile he will
attend TO the duties OF his Office, and
perhaps have q three months leave OF
absence to 60 to Europe to restore his
health, which has been somewhat shat
tered by close attention TO the duties Of
his office.
The reported change in the plans OF
the public buildings now in course OF
construction will not be made. Neither
will any Cabinet changes grow out OF
the unpleasantnsss, as has been report
ell by the New York papers. IL the
chief clerk. Mr.. Avery. had only known
that his own subordinate. the superin-
.sndent. controlled the appropriations.
there would havs been no trouble. II
all grew out Of his mistake in stating
that they were controlled by the Super
vising Architect. when that official only
acted in n subordinate capacity in the
matter.