Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-01-16
Chief Of the Bureau OF Construction
of the Navy Department.

To the editor 81 The Alexandria Gazette:
Having read in the Gazette dsy or tvs ag,
an article in regard. to the civil service poll
CO Of tie President, Am urged by friend; 20
ofar you our congratulations upon tho great al
vance made by your able journal in publishing
al matters Of public interest. thereby saving
your patrons from the expense arI necessity O.
purchasing 'ci:y'' papers a: high rates to salts
fy ssid wslt: and to procure said Information
We are justly proud OF the Gsz ,tc sn1 its e.
terprisipg prop!ietor:. who sacm determined i
be up With the tima: and to keep their patrons
posted with sll nstioIsl, stats ana domesti:
news, st the shortest notice. Go on-a brigat
future awaits you. By the publication Of the
article referred to hundreds OF your rssde,:
have been deeply Impressed thereby, owing to
the fact tbs. it is one OF tho strongest case; snt
calls louder for executive interference thsa
any yet before ths President I slluds TO the
appointment the Chief of the Bureau Of Goa.
siruction sid repair: OF the Navy Department.
The gentleman who occIpisd the position Until
Congress met vas Lieut.. John ". Ra;by sni
whose nsne was sent IL ID the Senate foc a..
pontmeut and confirmation; bu. wise and in
teliigenl Naval Committee Of the Seaste did . ,.
consider him the proper pe.s - for the position,
especially so as he hsl been put there over tho
hesd of one OF his superiors in rank s1d Gu.lI1
cations He was, therefore, !ef: out, snd up -
the present there is 20 Chief Of the Bl-asu .!
Construction and r:osi1s 8: Washington. Cap!
Thomas z. Webb is II, proper pe:sol By So
niority of rank, cspsbi!i:y sad honesty. For
his character refer you 10 the record. II tau
language Of the Naval Com ni!!es on The 1--WE:
tigstlon Of Robson see paza 81. vo,. n, rspoe;
44th Congress, 1st session. We believe tn st Capt
Webb regards the public interest with the same
Jealousy thst the vrtuous citizen protects the
honor of his family that he is the most exact
and conscientious public officer we have mat;
has no superior SIS nay al constructor. SO Ads
the report. Now why has this good man been
overslaugh ed-over.j umped? Because the Pres
idenLs civil service policy has been dsregsrdet
by the Secretary Of the Navy And. secondly
tina. gentleman says the honest Captain Webb
is democrat, and that no democrat shall be put
in Easby's place if be can prevent it. Is not
this enough to arose the indignation OF all dem
ocrats But the President ia determined that
icy, and by the help of hone.t democrats hs
shall te so aided. Captain Webb is warm
hearted, Southern man, and. this is the bruot OF
his offending. Oh. Christian Secretary claim.
ing to be a Virgnisn. We blush for you. This
man has received tie highest compliment that
csn be paid 10 any man by the Naval Com
mlttee, AID If being smocratls odlous to you,
the party ID able to cause you great uneasiness
and will, as far as possible keep sharp look
out upon!you in order that justice shall be done -
one who so richly deserve! il and by the order
Of thu President 10 carrying out his own policy
it will be me!ed out to the proper persons,
though TIA sevariDg OF ties between thu Secre-
tary and his dear friend Easily ba as The cutting
of g hand or plucking out of an eye.
Falls Church, January ID, 1878.