The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-25
INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS.
Eeviving the War Against the Late secre-
tsry EOlger.
Special 70 the sentinel.

Special TO the Sentinel.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 22.-The war against
the late Secretary Folger seems to still con-
tinue, as is demonstrated by a contest going
on in the Office Of Supervisor General of
Steam Vessels. The facts seem to be that the
late Secretary chose to exercise some of the
rights of his Office in the matter
of discharges and appointments In the
New York inspection service. which dis
pleased the Supervisor General to a high
degree In several cases when the Supsr.
visor General tried to have men ren,oved
and others appointed. the Secretary inter-
ferred. Charges were also preferred against
the Supervisor General aud entertained by
the late Secretary, and in fact thsir official
intercourse was very strained. 1t
seems TO be the policy of the
Supervising Irsoector's office to
make that service a close corporation. The
supervisors stand shoulder to shoulder with
the Supervisor General, and If a man in the
service displesses one, he is fought by the
whole crowd.
A prominent New York gentleman met
the Sentinel correspondent to-day and gave
him the following facts about the present
fight Nearly three years ago Colonel Jesse
Il. Strickland, of Brooklyn, who had spent
q number of years of his life at sea as first
mate of different steam and sailing vessels,
s1d who had CALAMITY commanded q regi.
ment during the war, was strongly Endorsed
for vacancy then existing amnug
the assistant inspectors OF hulls. The
Supervisor General had man
be wanted appointed, and some
way. Strickland paper did not reach Secre-
tary Folger's hands Meantime Naval Con-
structOr POOk had given Strickland q rigid
examination. and had recommended him
highly for the appointments. Strickland
was personally well known to Secretary Fol.
ger, and when the facts were brought to his
attention he promptly appointed Strickland
to the position.
Since Cleveland's election the Supervisor
General has been looking around for anchors
that would hold his official ship in the
troubled Democratic sea. Places were
needed for good Democrats who had in
fuence with Cleveland, and who would use
it to retain the Supervisor General. Two
men were selected In the New York Office to
walk the plank. One was Caldwell and the
other was Strickland. Strickland was asked
to resign. HIS friends asked why?
The answer came that he was
incompetent. The Supervisor Gen.
eral was asked for specific charges.
Finally they came-three specifications,
which were absurd on their face. Meanwhile
Strickland, though alleged to be incom-
wa af nd hoe f1u fod
three vessels since the charge was made.
. The funny part lie that out of nearly seven
hundred vessels inspected in the past three
years by Strickland not the slightest accident
has ever happened to any one of them, and
the vessels, his reports upon which the Su-
pervisor General claims, showed his in
competency, were inspected one and two
years ago, respectively. Yet II is only since
Cleveland's election that the charge has
been made. 1t has taken two years for the
Supervisor General to comprehend the stu.
alton.
6tTickland's defense. which is complete,
Was submitted to the Secretary OF
the Treasury on Thursday. together with
the strongest.indorements of Stricklands
ability and nautical knowledge, from his
brother inspectors in the New York Office
from the Old Diminion Steamship Company,
Clyde line of steamers, the big East RIVER
Ferry Company, John Starin's line, and doz-
ems more from nautical experts.
Strickland may fail q victim to
the Supervisor Generals hatred OF
FoIgsr, and will desire to hold
his Office under Cleveland, but there
are half dozen Democrats who want bis
place. and many experts who are ready to
testify to his OWN unflnsss for the position