National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-03-16
Commander Robicy ID. Evans.

Yesterdays Washington Post says that
in handing this officer his orders to duty
as inspector of tho fifth Lighthouse dis.
trict Secretary Whitney said to him, 'If
l had any doubts on the subject, COM
mander, should not have reversed the
action of my predecessor" The Sunday
Herald also says that Commander Evans
had been removed because he had re-
fused to appoint negroes as lighthouse
keepers at the bidding of Senator Malone
and Congressman Libbey."
This charge was at the time Com
mander Evans was relieved from duty,
made to President Arthur by Representa-.
tive Thomas, of Illinois. His letter was
referred to Secretary Chandler, who re.
ported to the President in letter dated
jan. 60 1856, the facts in the case. This
Mr.. Chandler, not being now in office, will
doubtless If asked by Commander Evans
or his friends, give the reasons which led
Secretary Folger and himself to detach
| that officer
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WAsHlNUToN, Jan. 20,
/ lsSj-rO THE PREslDENT-Sr; ON July IL
last Hon. John Il, Thomas, NJ G., addressed
to you letter, which was referred to me for
my personal Information, concerningth order
dGtachinS Commander X. d. Evans, L. :. NJ,
from duly under the lighthouse board OF the
| treasury department aud placing him on wait
ing orders. Notice has not hitherto boen taken
by me OF this letter, because l have expected
Mr. Thomas would withdraw the same
| Commander Evans was on duty under the
secretary of the treasury, and to dctaCh him
/ was the Joint decision of Secretary Folger and
myself, initiated, however by the former. No
/ reasons were assigned for issuing the order,
| That they should be called in question, as they
are in the letter of Mr. Thomas, Is indeed ex.
trRordnary.
/ 1t is true that the custom exists OF continu.
/ ing officers on duty, both at sea and on shore,
for terms OF about three years. Butas the Gus
tom only exists In the exercise of mere
discretion by the navy department it is com.
( Plctely within such discretion for the depart
mcnt to depart from the custom In particular
cases without being liable TO be called upon to
give reasons therefor, either to the officer or
to any patrons or protectors Of him. Ifoillccrs
consider that this custom gives them con.
tract right to remain on any particular duty
for fixed period, unless the department as.
| signs reasons for change and satisfies the
officers and their friends that those reasons are
good and sufficient, the sooner the custom is
utterly broken up the better.
lfan officer, in such case, can turn around
upon the department and make an issue con
cerning the reasons for his orders, when no
reasons are assigned or intended TO be as
signed, military administration is Ht an end.
No such privilege, during my administration
of this department under your direction, ha.
been allowed to naval officers or to their rcla
tiyes or friends whether private citizens oil
mombeA Of other branches of the govern
mcnt II cannot be allowed or tolerated with
out the destruction of all discipline.
Secretary Folgor informed me that he de
sired that Commander Evans should be dc
tached from duty under him, for reasoni
which he stated to me. ! deferred concur
renee with him in order to satisfy myself tina