Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-27
OFFICIAL INSOLENCE.

4 GHBtcsAsstntaess DctAeSA ccA<etON Ao'
gan and Supervising Architect nful.
| letf-The Latter Sharply Rcbuked
| by Secretary BristOw.
Washington (June 2i) Special to the Cincinnati
Commercial.
Newspaper Row was thrown into a
state Of feVerish excitement this morn
ing by a rumor that Senator Logan, of
Illinois. and A. B. Mullet, Supervising
Archite ctof the Treasury, had INDUCED
in a knock-down. Three or four Ver-
sions of the alleged encounter were
soon in circulation. One was that
Mullett had called Logan a liar, and
been badly beaten for his irPertinenee.
Another was that Mullett had dismissed
Radkin, Superintendent of the Chicago
Custom-house, and upon being inter-
viewed on the subject by the Senator,
had grown angry and hit out from the
shoulder. A third story was that Null
let and Logan met in Secretary Bris-
tow's Office, got into an alteration,
abused one another in an ungentle-
manly manner, and had both been
elected from the premises.
A little inquiry only served to put all
the above versions of the affair to flight
and to reach the real state of the case.
1t would appear that in constructing
the new Postofice building in the city
of New York, the Government adver-
tised for proposals for putting in pass
enger elevators. Among the RESPONSE
bic bidders were the Messrs. Hale, of
Chicago. When the bids were opened
it was found, according TO the state
ment of the Chicago firm, that their
bid was the lowest, and being re-
sponsible men they claimed the
contract. They further state that
upon making their demand
to be awarded the job Mullett raised
various objections, and finally told
them that he had promised the contract
to friend of his in New York, but
would give them the contract for
putting the elevators into the Chicago
customhouse and postofice, on condi-
ton that they would withdraw from
the contest for the New York work.
They refused to listen to this proposal,
and continued to urge their claims.
On the other hand, Mullett claims that
the Hale Brothers deceived him. He
says that upon the opening of the bids
he asked the Messrs. Hale to produce
some evidence that their elevator was
what they claimed it to be, and
that they invited him to 60 to
New York with them and inspect
one of their elevators which was in op-
Grafton there. He believes, he says,
that they thought he would not accept |
their invitation, for on going to New |
York he found they had no elevator on
exhibition. Therefore he had refused |
to consider their bid. This story ofthe
Supervising Architect is not borne out |
by the subsequent actions of the Messrs.
Hale. 1t is not at all likely that they |
would continue to prosecute their suit |
had they been caught in the scrape al
legged by Mullet; but be that as it may,
the Chicago men have worked assidu-
ously to obtain the contract for the |
New York work, while Mullett has been
doing his level best to prevent them.
This morning one Of the Hale Broth
ers, accompanied by Senator Logan,
called at the Treasury Department to
see MGllett. On meeting Mullett Mr.. |
Logan addressed him about the bust
ness about which he and Mr.. Hale had |
come, and was abruptly requested TO
come again alone, and he would receive !
an audience. This arrangement did |
not suit the convenience of the Senator |
from Illinois, and for a few minutes |
he gave vent TO his feelings. Mr.. Null
lett, warming with the occasion, poured |
forth a torrent of abuse Of Mr..
Hale, thickly studded with |
paths. Logan got mad also, and was
only prevented by the smallness Of the |
creature from scattering little Mullett |
around prOmiscuously. Finally, after |
their stock Of abusive cpl |
thets, the two contestants retired to the |
room Of the Secretary OF the Treasury, |
where Mr.. Logan proceeded to pour out |
his grievances. Mullett interrupted |
him frequently during the recital, |
and, when Mr.. Logan had finished, |
began to swear most OutrageOusly. !
He had not proceeded far, how |
ever, until Mr.. BristOw called a halt, |
and in his severest tones informed |
Mullett that he would not permit him
or any other man to use profane Ian
guage in his Office, or any other part of |
the Treasury building. He also i'm
pressed upon Mullett the fact that his |
insOlence to visitors, and especially
Senators, would be no longer tolerated,
and that the repetition Of the scenes of |
to-day would lead to the acceptance of
his resignation. With this rebuke