National Republican., 1877-08-24
RUMORS AFLOAT
As TO THE DISCHARGE OF DISTRICT
EMPLOYEES.

WHO ARE TO GET THEIR wALRING-PApERs-
WHY THEIR SERVICES ARE NO LONGER RE-
CURED - WHO WILL SUCCEED THEM IN
OFFICE, AND OTHER TALES TOLD BY THE
oossiPs.
The town Is full ofrumors. Intact within the
past twenty'four hours the crcdulous people
have been stuffed With stories that were float
ing In the air until their abdomens have ex-
panded TO the dimensions Of Sir John Fall
stafs. II would have heen utterly impossible
for one man to have retained In his memory
all the statements as to charges made and to
be made, that we're circulating, In order to re-
tall them to his friends or everyone whom he
might catch sufficiently open to let In the
sound Of his voice. Ever since the hour that
Mr.! William Foresythe picked up his Panama
and walked out Of the surveyors office whist
ling Goodbye, Sweetheart, Goodbye" and,
on reaching the street, turned to look at the
familiar spot that would know him no more,
have these rumors been working their way
about town, like snow.balls gathering in size
as they rolled.
They lost nothing by being retold but, on
the contrary, received additional coloring,
until now they have maenifed to such an ex-
tent that. unless the brakes are applied soon not
only will the gossipers have every official under
the District government removed, but In the
grand change the Capitol Of the nation might
be picked up, carried of and set down in some
other locality.
Mr.. Forsythe gave up his hold upon public
office with reluctance. In fact, so strongly
was he believed to be intrenched behind
maps, charts, influence and petticoats that
an effort to oust him was not dreamed Of by
the remaining employees Of the District. His
position was thought to be impregnable,
and 1t was generally understood that the sur.
veyorship had been as a life estate decreed TO
the Forsythe family. The announcement Of
the summary removal was, therefore, not only
astounding news TO the remaining govern
mental employees, but they imagined If that
stronghold could be so quickly stormed and
subdued then their own positions were un-
tenable and unsafe.
Hats were Immediately In demand, and
chiefs Of bureaus or clerks that enjoyed the
luxury Of an influential friend went out in
search Of that individual to secure assistance
In prolonging their official lifc as they sur
missed that the work Of decapitation had be-
gun and would not terminate until o heavy
contribution had been made to satisfy the
removing power. Taking the conduct Of these
men and removal together can be traced the
foundation Of the many stories anoat, some Of
which will be given to the public to show how
men, wholly ignorant Of what was to trans.
pire, by conjecture tried to anticipate the true
state of affairs and display their wisdom to o
gaping crowd. Another purpose was also ac-
complished In making the ignoramuses believe
that they had the confidence of the District
Commissioners, and spoke by the card.
The first man that was to succeed the sur
veyor in walking the plank was Lieutenant
r. l.. Hoxie, the engineer Of the District. This
officer had made himself obnoxious to the
community generally, and particularly to all
persons who have business intercourse with
him. In his office he was pompous, domineer-
ing, conccited and inefficient. He tried TO
make the public believe he was boiling over
with knowledge, when, in fact, his noddle was
empty as q gourd. Tho District Commission
ers had for some time past been convinced Of
his unfitness for the position, and wanted to
get rid Of him. They were satisfied that cor
ruption existed in his Office, and they were
now investigating charges that had been pre-
ferred against him for illegal action in the
discharge of his duties. If the Commissioners
did not demand his removal the citizens would
The latter wanted an older and more ex.
perienccd man to ill the place. After dis
missing the engineer with this volley Of
charges, the next man turned over was the
inspector Of buildings, who received q fine
dressing down. Mr.. Thomas NJ. Plowman,
tho present incumbent, rumor said, was totally
unfit for the place. He was using II as q cloak
to subserve his own ends. He was making
money at the Districts expense. He was an
autocrat, and tried to make every builder,
mcCuauiC WHO CdIuc IN
contact with him kneel before his authority
He did not conduct his department on honest
principles, and the sooner he was got rid Of
the quicker the District would be benefited.
He had to 60, sure, and his successor was al
ready settled upon. 1t might be Adolf Cluss,
or J. L. Smithmyer, or p. J. Lauritzen, but
one of these three would get his place That
could be bet on for certainty.
After these two were disposed Of the next
man expected to step down and out was Mr..
Charles w. Cunningham, superintendent of
streets. He had done sufficient to bring him
into disrepute. He put horses and carts of his
own on the public works, and carried them in
the names of McChesney and Gregg, one his
foreman aud the other q laborer. The trick
had been discovered by the Commissioners,
and his day Of reckoning had come. He had to
go. It was not decided who should succeed
him, but II would be man the District Com
missioncrs were satisfied was honest, and one
who would not use the position to enrich him
self-one that would give the laboring man q
chance. and have no favorites.
Another employee sentenced to let 20 his
hold on the government teat was Mr.. +. b.
Townsend, superintendent of public property.
salary Of 81 800 q year for doing nothing but
ride around the city In buggy behind fast
horse. The District did not have so much
public property that they need pay man that
salary to superintend 1t, few good watchmen
was all that was required. Any one seeing the
blonde superintendent speeding on the streets
with his white driving gloves, would take him
for commissioner instead Of subordinate.
He had held his position long enough and made
sufficient money to let some new man take his
place II II was necessary TO have q successor,
but II was believed that the money could he
saved, and the position Of superintendent left
vacant.
Another man that was marked out as going
was Mr.. George W. Beall, chief clerk of assess
ments. This gentleman did not seem to stand
high with the rumor spreaders. In the first
place, he was o creature Of the old ring regime,
and they deted any living man to point to
anything that was good en,anating from such
a source. In the next place, he did not make
out correct papers, and men had certificates
recepted by him which he reported as remain
ing unpaid. Tho investigations had demon
strated this fact, aud yet he remained an em.
ployee Of the District government. But now,
under this fresh, stimulating reform, he would
have have to find occupation elsewhere and
make room for better man. Who that man
was to be rumor did not say, and conjecture
has not yet furnished the name.
There are other persons holding places un-
der the District Commissioners whose names
have also been mentioned as booked for dis
charge, according to the circulating stories,
but those given will show the nature of the