The New York herald., 1877-09-05
THE CHICAGO CoLLECToRsHIp.

REMOVAL OF j. RUSSELL JONES AND suBsTI-
TUITION OF PERSONAL FRIEND OF THE
Observation-Disclosures CORRESPONDENCE
ON TIE suBJEcT-GRANr APPoINTEEs TO pE
SACRIFICED.
lDY TELEGRAPH 70 THE HERALD
CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 1877
Hon. j. Russell Jones, Collector OF Customs this
port, having to-day been removed by President Hayes
and william Horny smith, agent Western Associate cd
Press and former political associate in OHIO with the
PRESIDENT appointed to tho place, representative Of
the HERALD called upon tho former TO elicit his opr
ion OF the manner in which he had been rccsatcd
OF Office. Mr. Jones stated tnat lie had no informa.
ton on the subject other than appeared In tho papers
this morning The first official knowledge he had that
n change was contemplated was letter from S,cre-
tary sherman stating
l am directed by the President to write to YOU that
alter careful consideration he thinks II would be best
aud he wishes me TO ask you TO resign your oico
Collector oil Customs OF the Port Chicago at time
and IN mode that Will DO agreeable to you.
In subsequent note from the Secretary he ind-
Gated desire that my resignation should not take
place later than tho 10th of September.
MIR. JONES REPLY.
To this request replied 40 folows:-
SIR have the honor acknowledge the recon, OF
your letter informing Inc that you directed by the
President TO write me that after consideration, hc
to resign the oce OF Collector OF Customs of the Port
OF Chicago at time amt in mods that will he agree
able TO me- The President in his letter OF acceptance
said:
rhe founders OF the government meant that public
officers should DC secured In their tenure as long
their personal character remained und the
performance Of their duties satisfactory IL
elected shall conduct the administration o: tho gov
ernment upon these principles, and all constitutional
powers vested in tho Executive Will be employed to
establish thus REFORM
In his inaugural no rcassertcd tho same pr ncipes
HO since repeatedly said where hos
commissions had not expired aud VINO in tho
faithful discharge Of their duties charges would be
mado.
In the absoncs of any intimation TO the contrary
am warranted in assuming that no charge has been
GENTLY and economically to discharge my duty. Ny
commission has not yet expired An officer OF your
OF s ha
found everything pertaining to the conduct OF tho
office satisfactory condition. Tho only criticism
hc made was that III examining the record OF the
penscs OF tho Office he discovered that there
were number Of inspectors employed
although the inspectors who have been in
the service ut this post Tor years, experienced mcn
upon whose shoulders tho bulk OF Inspectors duties
arc laid were pad but So per diem. Those to whom
he called my attention were men sent here by you
with orders TO assign them to duty at 81 per diem.
Tho officer referred To has undoubtedly rocominc nded
that tho men sent by you shall not receive greater
compensation tnan Is paia to mon occupying samo
position who have been IN tho service number of
years The records OF your department show that
the expenses OF this olicc have been reduced my
appointment "a perlon OF less than TWO years. IN The
aggregate s37, 900.
In view Of these facts sclirespect impcls to dc.
ciine compliance with the Presidents request,
through you Tor my resignation. Your obedient
want, j. II, JONES.
Hon. JoHS SHERMAN, Secretary OF tho Treasury,
Washington.
MR.. SMITH ACCEPTS.
Mr. Smith says he has in formed the President that
he Will accept the Office. 1t Is also stated that he will
continue in his position as agent OF the Western Asso-
cated Press This is personal apponm of Presi-
dent Hayes. He has long desired that Mr. Smith
cept some position under tho admin istraton, and has
offered MIN anything he desires from u second class
Mission down
WEDDING OUT GRANT APPoINrEEs.
Mr.. Jones OF what known under the
Grant regime as tho Gacna Ring, and of the
Presidents most confidential friends The process OF
wedding out tho Grant appointees, which, as alleged,
determined upon before the whether
terms OF Office have expired not, Will undoubtedly
be continued iurtncr u this vicinity.