The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-30
AT MATsON'S DEMAND.


Clerk James e. Darnall Is Bounced as an
Offensive Partisan.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, July 29-Consternation was
created to day among the Indiana Republicans
holding positions in departments here, by the
removal of James E. Darnall of Bainbridge,
Putnam county, 81, 600 clerk in the Fourth
Auditors Office of the Treasury. Darnall
received notice from Secretary Manning, early
this morning, that after the 31st inst his
services would not be needed. and it soon be-
came noised about that his dismissal, and also
those of several others, was the score of
Offensive partsanship," based upon the fact
that they were members last fall, of the State
Republican Association in this city. If the
report was true, it meant that nearly every
Republican would have to CO. and is was but
| natural that trepidation should seize them. The
Journal correspondent saw Darnall about noon.
He stated that he knew no reason for his
dismissal except that he was a member
of the Indiana Republican Club here,
last fall. He had committed no
other political offense. However, he had asked
Fourth Auditor Shelley for the charges preferred
which brought about the order for his removal.
Late in the afternoon Darnall was found
again He said that he had seen the Fourth
Auditor, who informed him that the removal
was made upon the demand of Congressman
Matson who represented the district from which
Darnall came. Matson called upon the Fourth
Auditor some time ago. the latter stated, and
asked that Darnall be removed as an offensive
partisan. The Fourth Auditor wanted to know
if it would not do to reduce him to a lower
grade, to which Matson replied that he wanted
him removed; that he was a Republican, and
that that ought to be sufficient. So the Fourth
Auditor asked Darnall to resign, but he declined
to do so. A few days ago Mat
son called upon the Fourth Auditor
again, and seemed out of patience that
Darnall had not been removed The Fourth
Auditor then recommended the removal, and the
letter giving notice to tina. effect was issued by
Secretary Manning this morning. The Fourth
Auditor sympathized with Darnall, who has been
a very efficient clerk, but said he was impeled
by political ties and obligations to do as he had
done.
Darnall Immediately determined to appeal to
the civil service law, and addressed letter to the
Civilservice Commission. setting forth the fact
of his having received, much to his surprise,
notice of dismissal from desk he had occupied
for twents years, with entire satisfaction to his
superior officers. "Presuming that ciyilservice
regulations" wrote he, were intended to give to
the clerk or clerical service such per-
manency as their proficiency and good
behavior warranted would respectfully ask to
be informed if l am correct or if the tenure Of
| Office will continue to depend upon the pleasure
Of %Loh hoaI of +ba &c 49,
opinion that removal can properly only be
made for cause or upon charges, and that the
clerks should have an opportunity to answer. If
| I am mistaken, ] will thank you to correct me-"
Darnall also addressed letter of similar i'm,
port to Secretary Manning, asking to be allowed
to meet the charges, if any had been filed
against him. This request" he wrote Secreta
ry Manning, in conclusion, 'is based upon the
| assumption that having had charge of
an important desk in this Office for
twenty years for fifteen years I have
never lost day beyond the regular leave) and
enjoying reputation in the community to
which can point with pride, my removal must
be the result of some very grave charge"
An official in the department. high in author
ity, remarked to the Journal correspondent that
Secretary Manning would not give Darnall a
copy or even y brief of the charges, were there
any fled but, matter of fact, none had been
fled that the removal was made upon it's verbal
statement by Matson that Darnall was Re-
publican, probably adding an offensive one, too,
by being a member of the Indiana Republican
Association. 1t is likely, though that the civil
service commission will investigate the matter
that it will become a test one of importance, in
volving the oficicl life of several thousand Re-
publican clerks