New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-14
DEMOCRATS FIGHTING FOR AN OFFICE.
BOTH FACTIONS IN POUGHKEEPsIE SEEKING MR.
CoIwEIL's PLACE.

CoLwELLs PLACE.
lrRoM 4 srEcI,L CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.l
| PoUGHKEEPsrE, July 13.-The fight of the
Kilkenny cats was a tame affair compared with the
squabbe into which the Democratic factions OF this city
have cntanged the appointment and subse
quent removal Of harles Monfort Superintendent
OF the Construction OF the Federal Buildings Neither
side made any happier by TIE TRIBUNE exposure oil
their internal disturbances onj Sunday Before
then the fight had been confined to the leaders OF the
wrangling parties but when 1t became known publicly
through THE TRIBUNE that the Republican superntend
ent, Mr. Colwell had been removed by Secretary
Manning to give place to man backed
by the kicking end OF tho Democracy,
led by Cyrus Swan and that letters cxtant said to
compromise the chosen candidate; that Democrats OF
the regular faction had teegraphed protest against
Monfort's appointment. together with statement
OF tho contents OF the letters the
Secretary, and that Mr. Manning had
tlorcupoD taken back track and revoked the appoint
mcn then the fight was taken IN by the friends and
sympathzers of each faction and to-day has been spent
In efforts by each side to balk the other.
Mr.. Swan at first gave 1t out that he would sink or
swim with his friend Monfort, but he seems to have
considered discretion better part OF valor, and he
made n shrewd move to-day. The plan OF the kckers
Ia to induce the Secretary to appoint Henry Seaman
to the superntendency. Mr.. Seaman Is broeher
Of Harvey Seaman. prominent worker for the cause
OF reform aud Democracy whose home Is In this city,
and whose partisan patriotism was rewarded by his
appointment rs boss carpenter on the New Capitol
building In Albany. Harvey Seaman came
to Poughkeopsle this afternoon. presumably
at the request OF tho Swan contingent lie
proceeded from the depot Swans Office, where he
manned for some time Tonight no went down OH the
$50 train and got of Mt Yonkcrs. The Swan people
that his errand will them tho Influence Of
John OBrion, who Ia member OF the Democratic
State Committee and heavy contractor on the new
Anueluct His HEADQUARTERS nrc NJ 1OEkcfS.
This backing IA supposed To he all that IL necessary 10
secure Henry seaman's appointment. The dropping
spirits of the kckcrs have pcrccptibly revived
Tonight under tho Influence OF this nope; Ihey
dcfea,ng The MA IA Of the regnars even II they
force the retention OF their first choice The srewdncss
scheme lies IN the fact that the scaan- are I'M
cles to the present Republican superintendent II Is
expected In view OF the possible appolntm
OF his unclcs that Colwell VIII let mohI"ft d0"h
Mr. Coiwei aid Tonight When was Informed by
Mr. Manning that was to relinqnish my p ace TO Mon
fort, thought IL my duty 10 SHOW what considered
10 sufficient why lie should not be given the
place. considered his letters TO oe an attcn DrDs
me to give him contracts, and II struck me thai man
who would make such AN offer was not the
where such offers could be made to him. PERHAPS am
wrong In Interpreting bis words that way pnt when
writes II you can throw anything IN our way, re-
fcrring to the post Office contracts VIII pay YOU LOT H.
which is no more than ngnt and you oush. 70 nv
t., then don't know what else 10 max vi u.
In another letter he says. IAN work done by Us you
may consider percentage on. This Is conhden'iS a.
known only To NE. am pau 20 u uSy
BY the Government for my work as super
iitcnucnt. IL without Saying that am
entitled to make anything out OF contracts on the
building when should be giyen to the man who Will do
the work cheapest. IL seemed 10 me that a man VINO
took any other view of the subject was not the proper
person FOR the place aud so put the letters at the dis
posil OF the Government"
cyrus swan has Office in Main-st.. where
he was this evening When asked II he
would say anything concerning the AFFAIR, he answered
angry. lie denounced IHE lRiBuNEs informantsi DIT
ter guagc and when told that they chiefly mom-
beis Of his own party. he sald:
lhey all blankcd liars. All had 10 do with tnls
appoiu. Iscnt write a letter favOrng It, Moniort
good man-better than the fellow who 10 there now
aud better Than the whole banked rabbc who are howl
ing against him"
q Have you seen the ettersF'
"Yes. they are here In my desk" This statement
seemed peculiar view OF the fact that the originals
that moment In the possession OF prominent
Democrat IN NewYork city, but tho correspondent ony
remarked: /" DO they bear the construction put upon
them by Mr. COwe and your Democratic adversarrsi
"No. they don't" ans wercd Mr.. swan, and only a
BANKED a blaukcd scoundrcl would they did
Monior backed by the best part OF the Democratic
party"
VIII you continue 10 urge him for the placef
That's none OF your blanksd business And now
want to away ioryou will be printing another
batch OF lies Tomorrow"