Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-07-03
The baltimore Custom House right.

MOTE LIGHT on THE MATTER.
Toe Baltiu-ore cusio n-ho Ise wsr - Great
ing a good d nj OF excitement I'm thai ".
wILKI~s ASKED TO STEP down AND orr.
IL appears that on the ID OF June last, Sec
rotary sherman w.ots a letter TO Collector
wilkins stating that he the Secretary was
directed by ihe President 10 say thai under
all tie circum fsnces. after the fullest con-
sideratio1 and reconsideration ne matter
OF ne collector OF customs NJ Bs more, DC
had made up his mind that IL wa his duty
10 restore Mr. John l.. Thomas to that place,
and the Secretary added, Il know he the
Presiden.) does his with sincere respect for
your character and positios The letter
closed with request Tor wilkins uesigna-
ton on July LIST.
WILKINS WONT.
Collector Wilkins replied June 3lth, saying
that In August last, without solicitation on
his part, b. was appointed collector of Gus
toms al Balt more, and recsSVed commits
sion which states that his term OF ONCE
would continue for four years nom i's date,
adding. y our letter gives me tue gratifying
assurance 81 Tie Presidents sincere respect
for my character, and I appeal 10 the records
OF your depsr. ment for the evidence OF my
satisfactory performance OF official duties.
Under sucn circumstances. and IN view Of
repeated statements m the publis papers,
am compelled 10 believe that In requesting
my res ignstiou pho President has a tel under
grave misaPprehenSionS OF fact In connec-
ton with my appointment % and Mr..
Thomas removal from the cOllectOrship.
The suddenness OF this action deprived me "a
tie oppori nifty 10 refute these ALLEGATIONS.
which involve my personal character, and 1
would he wanting I'm self-resPec, % by COM
plying with The request OF the President I
seemed I'm the least degree 10 admit the truth
fulneSS of statements OF interested parties
which am abundantly able 20 disprove."
lie closed by sincerely regretting his ina
billy 10 comply with the request.
WHAT Mr.. FULTON SAID.
IL appears that Mr.. Fultol, thecditor Of tho
baltimore AmcrToUl, wrote a letter 10 the
President n support Of the claims 81 Mr..
Thomas, I'm which ne ,FultOn' set forth that
Wilkirs was appointed by President Grant
with The understanding that when Grants
term expired he was 10 give way . Mr..
Thomas. Mr. Fulton sets forth in hls letter
that when Thomas was succeeded BY the
former collector, Washington Booth, That
President Grant had ~ his own volitton -
sUTed him that he would ask M. Booth %
resign and appoint NJ. Thomas. admuu1g
that he had done the latter great iu jul &c
and was DESTROYS OF undoIuE a.
CONTRADICTION FROM EN-rEESInENr
GRANT.
To contradict This latter statement Mr..
Booth telegrapned Gen. Grant I'm London a.
FOL ows
10 General - s Graa,. Loaiss Did you
tell Fulton hst YOU would ask nae - resign,
SO thai you might appoint John D.. Thomas
important WAsHING ROY BoorH.
Cen. Grants reply o. a. follows
Be5n,, b@tunoyc. 4 Hl.ricl Misrepresenta-
ton. Letter - mai GRANT.
WILKINS HOLDS THE PORT.
The Bait more ADlsg rGl OF to-day avs thai
Collector wilkins was IN his onice during
Yesterday. and transacted husiuc> a. usNal.
The reporters found no difficulty iu gaining
access 10 has Office and were 'udly received
but with TIE Information always that ne ha
nothing new 10 communicate. Being
pressed lille, however. he informed the
Amer7cdn representative that he intended ID
contest the issue 20 the bitter end. You are
gong 10 carry your case into the Senate
them" queried the reporter. Garry IL int D
the Senate" sad the Colonel, raising his
voice: Eyes, sir; am going 10 carry q into
the Senate. When, however. Mr. Thomas
| appears with his commissionI viii yield up
| the Office TO him atonce."