The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-11-26
MULLETT.
Something About that Resignation.

Washington Special, Nov. 29 Chicago
Times.]
The resignation of Supervising Archi-
tect Mullett, noticed in last nights dis.
patches, was to-day accepted by Secre-
tary Brlstow, to take effect as soon as
Aullett's successor can be named. The
change has caused a positive sensation
in Washington, for Mullett's unlimited
expenditure Of millions, the vast
patronage which he controlled in let
ting contracts and selecting builders.
clerks, workmen, ETC., in, the erection of
the new public buildings, gave him a
power that has been felt for many
years. Every effort was made to-day
to induce the President to- interfere to
save him; for although Mullett apollo
gized to Bristow for his. language to
him on Saturday, the latter insisted on
accepting his resignation Boss Shep-
herd and Mullett visited the President
during the day, as did
Treasurer Spinner and. others, but
it appears without result. It is de-
clared that the President did not want
to interfere with the reforms which
Secretary Bristow had made in the
treasury department, and especially
with any disagreement as to the man
agement of affairs in the bureau of the
super vising e'chitect. Had the Presi
dent interfere j, it is we'll understood
that he would have received Bristow S
resignation without moments delay.
SO altogether there was at one time to-
day promise of very considerable
storm. Secretary Bristow denies the
sensational story that violent language
passed between Mullett and himself.
NEW YORK, Nov. ga dispatch
from Washington announcing that Null
lett, the administration architectural
fraud, has resigned, and that his resig-
nation has been accepted. has given
general satisfaction mere. Mullett has
long been regarded among architects as
a charlatan Of the worst stripe. The
last of his quack architectural fixtures
was that of placing on the top of the
front of the new postofiice building a
large gilded arrangement which was
out of all keeping of this really fine
structure. in the design Of which Null
let had no hand.
A special dispatch to the New York
Times tonight, Oh the subject, says
the real difficulty between the Score.
tary and Mr.. Mnllett is much more re-
mote than any controversy about the
treasury furniture. The architect S
Office has had rather an abnormal con-
nection with the treasury department
and Mr.. Mullett has, exercised, during
several years, almost absolute author
ity in his bureau. Secretary Bristow
differs from Mr.. Mullett in the
policy of constructing costly pub
lie buildings. While he does not OBJ
lect to large expenditures and fine
buildings in some of the most important
cities, like New York. he doubts the ex
pediency of building elaborate anc
costly structures. all over the country
but thinks thinks that palmer and more
substantial buildings would be more il
| accordance with the wants Of the gov
eminent, and that for the same expcnd
iture q greater number of building
should be erected. 1t has been FOL
some time manifessly Impossible tina
the treasury department could contain
both the secretary and the architect
since the secretary, while not arrogat
ing to himself unusual powers, is de
/ termined to exercise according to hi
own Judgment those which are necessa
~ for the discharge of his official re
! sponsibility. Mr.. Mullett. in referrin,
to MS resignation. said that the secre
tary had accepted it on account of h
| bad temper.