The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-02-24
THE eoRRINGE-C CHANDLER CONTROVERSY

THE GORRINGE- CHANDLER CONTROVERSY
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-The full text of
the voluminous correspondence between
Secretary Chandler and Lieut.. Commander
Gorringe is given out for publication to-
| night.
On Feb. 3rd the secretary addressed
| Gorringe at New York, stating that his at
tention has been called to a statement pub
| lished by Gorringe in the New York even
| ing Post, in advocacy of free ships, and de
| manding of Gorringe to know whether or
| not he was engaged in any business outside
Of his naval position; if so what, and for
what compensation or interest.
To this Gorringe replies on the 5th, that
he is employed as consulting engineer. He
calls Chambers attention to his (Gorringe's s.
letter of June 26th wherein he stated to
the department that he did not know what
business would occupy him during the
extensive furlough (which he there
in re9uested), but generally that
Of consulting engineer, and that
ii he formed a business onnectIon that
would interfere in the remetest degree
with the duties of the department he
would promptly resign. In reply to this
letter, GOrringe continues. I received
June 26th, an extension of furlough until
Aug. 1st, 1888" Gorringe then informed
the secretary that has not yet formed a
business connection that would interfere
IN the remotest degree with his official
duties, and states that with the exception
Of being in the employ of FL. McTwomby,,
as consulting engineer he has no other
employment or interest, and that he eX
pected to receive adequate compensation
for such employment.
To this Chandler replies on the 10th,
that the inquiry of the department arose
Al--
ployed by interests not American. and
assuming that your statement negatives
and such employment your reply is salts
factory. There is no objection to public
expression by any Naval officer of his
unpurchased opinions of any subject of
general interest"
On the 14th Gorringe replies to the
secretary, stating that his (the secretary'sl
letter was the first intimation he had
that such suggestion" had been made,
and that any suggestion" which conveys
the intimation that he (Gorringe) ever
expressed purchased opinions" is by f'a
corrupt, unscrupulous and malicious
coward, who judges others by low, con-
temptible standard" He closes by request
ing of the secretary the name of this in
former without delay, SO that he may de
fend his right and reputation.
To this the secretary, on the 18th, in a
brief note orders Gorringe to report i'm
mediate to the chief of the bureau of
navigation at Washington. Whereupon,
Gorringe on the 21st, from Washington,
addressed the president, rendering his
resignation and requesting that the secre-
tary of the navy be required to inform him
whether any charges are pending against
him in the department, or has within his
knowledge any expression of Gorringes
that should be investigated prior to the ac-
ceptance of his resignation, $50 that his
record as the commanding officer, at differ
ent times, of thirteen different vessels in
the navy, in war and peace, may he closed
as honorably as it has been maintained.
On the 21st, Chandler replies to this,
accepting Gorringe's resignation, to take
effect Immediately, and stating that his
request that certain information be given
TO the President viii be complied with.
Chandler, in an interview tonight said
the resignation was accepted by the Presi-
dent He said he regarded Gorringe as an
officer, put that he was now
a private citizen and had the same right OF
as any other citizen. Chand-
Ter said he objected to Gorringes giving
his views on free ships in British EN-
ploy," and that the information reached
him that Gorringe was representing Brit
ish rather than American interests
BOTH PARTIES INTERVIEWED.
At late hour tonight Gorringe stated
to reporter of the press that he had a
interview with the President to-day and
that the President told him he had received
notice of his resignation through Chandler
Under the circumstances Gorringe does
not receguize the vail dity of Chambers
acceptance of his resignation. and awaits
The acfian of the President.