Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-02
Mr.. WENTWORTH EIpL iINS.

The following letter VIC find in the Portland
Press of yesterday, containing Mr.. Wentworth's
statement concerning the position which he holds
in Kittery Navy Yard and his connection with the
same.
KITTETY, Dec. %, 1874.
To tie Editor ofthe Press.
| will thank you for little space in your paper
to make a statement of few facts. Mr.. 1Ianlin
is charged by Mr.. Buileigh and others with hav
ing created sinecure offices in the kittery Navy
Yard or me, also quoting from the Star editorial,
we find the following: Senator Hamlin had the
position of Naval Storekeeper at Kttery, with its
large salary re-created and returned to Col. Mark
Wentworth after it had been solemnly abolished
as utterly without reason for existence, &C."
| will state here that the office of Naval Store
keeper existed indispensable until 1867 when
it was dvidedinto departments, called the Bureau
SYSTEM and never since has the Office Of Naval
Storekeeper been re-crea'ed, or myself or any one
else returned to such an office. l was first APP
pointed clerk in the Naval S;orekeepers office,
through the influence of Gov. Fairfield. in 1876,
and remained until 1919. In 1861 was appoint
ed Naval Storekeeper on recommendation of the
entire delegation from Maine, Mr.. Uamlin rot
being one of them. In 1862 went into the army
and resigned in November, 1864, on accoant of
wounds ret eived. In December following was
re-appointed Storekeeper through the influence Of
Senator tessendcn alone. In August, 1866, l was
removed through the influence Of j. III. Burleigh
and others because would not support Andrew
johnson. About the year 1867 Capt. j. S. Thorn
ton appointed General Inspector, succeeded
by Commander Oscar Badger and then Command
er Carpenter. In July, 1867, as herein before
stated, the present Bureau System went into OPP
Grafton, and Z. q. Pierce of New Hampshire, was
| appointed Receiver and Inspector. In 1869 he
vacated the office, and, through the influence Of
Mr.. Lynch was appointed TO the last named pc
| stion without solicitation on my part. In 1872,
| through the influence of Democratic officer in
| the navy yard, was discharged by the then act
| ing Secretary of the Navy. letter was then
written to the Secretary of the Navy stating that
an appropriation had been made by Congress to
pay Receiver and Inspector, and asking my res
| toraton, signed by Messrs. uamlin, Blaine, Pet
ers and Hale, and was reinstated. In 1873 the
appropriation for Receiver and Inspector being cut
OFT, and the former General Inspector having been
| assigned 10 other duty, was appointed Inspector
| by the Secretary of the Navy, and had entered
upon the dutes of that Office before Mr.. IIamlin
knew anything about it.
| The signing by Mr.. Hamlin Of one letter herein
before described is all that | ever requested him
to do for me in regard to offices, and all that he
ever did do, and all statements to the contrary are
| false IN every particular, even as stated by MIR.
Burleigh and the Press.
| As to the manner in which have performed
the duties of the offices have held in the navy
yard the officers can testify. In only only one in
stance, as before shown, have had any other
than the most cordial relations with tine officers OF
the navy yard and never, to my knowledge, have
any complaints been made of derelcton of duties.
| never was absent from duty on the yard while
| holding office, without the consent and appro-
baton Of the Commandment.
''Who stef Is my purse, steals trash;
But he that hches from me my goo nsme
Robs me of that which not enrche5 him,
And makes me poor indeed"
NJ. +. WENTWORTH.