Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-23

The Lieutenant Commander Resigns Hi
Position in the Maya Quarrel Will
Secretary Chandler the Cause-Goringe's
Statement.
New YORK, Feb. %. A representative
of the Associated Press called upon Lieu
tenant Commander Gorringe this evening
and asked him whether it was true that he
had rendered his resignation as an officer
of the United States navy. He replied
that he had done so, but the president had
not yet accepted his resignation.
@. It is reported you have had some
sharp correspondence with Secretary Chan
dler. Are you willing to furnish the press
with copy of that correspondence?
A. AS long as I am in the service, it
would be very improper SO to do, although
I am perfectly willing the public should
know the contents of the letters. AS soon
as am freed from official restraint will
give you the correspondence.
@. Is it true you represent English cap
italists in your new enterprise of ship
building at Philadelphia.
A. It is absolutely and unqualifedly
false. Not dollar of English
capital has been solicited or
subscribed, and money to operate the
Reading yard. which has been leased to me
Individually, has been wholly subscribed
by my personal friends in New York city.
@. Have you ever represented English
capital or foreign interests in any of your
consulting business since you have been On
furlough?
A. Never, with one exception. 1 was
asked to make critical examination of
the progress of the Buffalo & West Shore
railroad by an English banker, personal
friend, from whom I declined to receive
compensation of any kind.
@. It is rumored you have been advo-
eating free ships in the interest of English
builders. Is there any foundation for such
rumor?
A. pronounce the rumor unqu alifedly
false. 1t bears on its face the evidence
of falsehood from the fact that
I myself am about to engage with the as
sistance of American capital in building
American ships.
@. What explanation can you give of
the secretary's action, as reported in the
special dispatch from Washington pub
lished to-day?
A. The secretary of the navy has placed
himself in this matter in an attitude to-
ward me which cannot fail to
rouse against him the indignation
of every honorable man in this country.
His attack on me was without excuse,
as will appear when the correspondence is
published, unless he was himself acting in
his official capacity in private interests.
@. When did you make up your mind
to tender your resignation?
A. When I received the secretary's
letter of Feb. 10, which was grossly in
sulting to me as an officer, and man, 1
determined to have redress. My reply to
his letter elected no reponse, except that
in the course of several days
came a peremptory order to come to
Washington and await further orders. l
came to Washington, and upon inquiry at
the department found it impossible for me
to have redress so long as 1 remained an
officer and subject to his control; and as
I was determined to have redress L re-
signed in order that I might seek it from
the highest authority.
0. What is the sentiment of the naval
officers in regard to your resignation?
A. All yesterday afternoon and to-day
I have been receiving personal visits, let
ters and kilograms from my brother Off
GERS, begging me, if have not resigned, to
my determination, and express
ing for me the warmest regard and their
regret that 1 intend to sever my connec-
ton with the service. l have given them
all the same answer-that the course 1 am
pursuing is in the interests of every officer
of the navy, and that, as I have never
hitherto regarded my personal interests
more important than those of the service,
do not do SO now.
(, PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22.-Lieut. Gorringe
has taken possession of the Reading rail
road ship yard.