New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-04
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
NETWORK FEDERAL OFFICERS.
THE END OF MR.. BURTs .TERM-THE NEW APPRh-
sER-ANOTHER APPLICANT FOR OFFICE.
IRr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


| lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-There is no agitation IN
the Treasury Department as to what may happen
the moment the terms of Naval Officer Burt and Sur
veyor Graham expire. It has been the Uniform
practice OF the Department where term has ex-
pired without the appointment OF
successor to allow the incumbent to
continue until his place is filed Since
the decision of the United States Supreme
Court that boldsmen were only liable for the term
| for which the officer was appointed. the Depart
ment has made it a rule to pay the force under an
| officer who was holding over directly from the
Treasury instead of through the officer as before
thus avoiding risk Of loss because of the lack Of
bond. 1t is the opinion of those best informed IN
| the Department that Mr.. Burt entirely wrcng in
his law. The section in the Tenure of Ofis act
making it msdemean0r for an officer to exercise
or attempt to exercise the duties OF an office to
which he "a not entitled does not apply TO the
Of an officer who has held an office and is merely
continuing the exercise of its functions for lack of
successor. The law directing the Collector to
| appoint some person to perform the duties OF the
Naval officer or Surveyor In of the disability"
of either obviously applies only to physical or mon
| tai disability. n,
A well-informcd New-Yorker says that the Presi-
| dent feels very kindly toward General Graham,
and that he may be allowed to remain Tor soine
|
! not be a politician but merchant and That COL
lector Robertson will not he disturbed at present
| General Ketchum was unanimously confirmed LOT
| Appraiser to-day.
Governor Foster, Of Ohio, arrived in Washington
| to-day from New-YOrk. In conversation with a
friend he remarked that he heard consideraoss
| speculative talk about "New-York appontmentS
when he was in that city, and on his arrival al tne
capital he found thai De Witt {. Wheeler was al
ready on tho ground wearing ditst;o one an New
| York business man who arrived in Washington to-
night said he had luncheon at the Aston H0nse ana
all the talk in the crowd there was about the New.
| York appOn mentS mingled with expressions OF
dissatisfaction at the sef-assumod leadership OF
De Witt c. Wheeler in New-York matters
But Mr. Wheeler Is by no means tn" only New-fork
statesman in Washington. Edwin M. Johnson Is
here Paint and not politics, ne SAVE Drought Nun
to the National capital MI J0nnson ami. s
the offices If he can be permitted 10 tuInlsh
the paint for this administration. win prudent
forethought however, Mr. johnson came armed
with two strings for his bow. The Administration
needs q Superintendent tor the Bureau OF Engraving
and Printing, and 1t may not care particularly Tor
paints Mr.. johnson is printer as we'll as dealer
in paint. Besides the circulars and pr0spectnses
setting forth the excellence and cheapneSs OF ms
merchandise Mr. johnson brought documents
vouching for his qualifications as printer, AID his
fitness 10 be Superintendent OF the Bureau OF En-
CRAVING and Printing. Among the latter it IS I'M
4gFSod pS descT Gbt6r f H JoRnsons
qualifications and commencing ms ieaiy
10 ;he Republican party, especially
mcnt This letter, il Is understood was add dressed
to the President Secretary FOlger Will appoint the
Superintendent OF the Engraving and Printing
Bureau.
General Graham Surveyor OF the Port, says that as
matters now stand will consider his duties at an end
at noon February 7. Ie said yesterday: 1.-THE law
IN clear on this point and shall have right to dis
charge any duties after February unless by order OF
the Collector. without this or appointment from the
President % perform any OF the duties Of the office g
high misdcmoanOr punishable with not more than i've
wears, In pr-Onment more than $4,000 ineOr both
lie term OF Burt tine Naval Officer expires to-day