New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-27

WILL SENATOR EDMUNDs OPPOSE HIS CONFiRwA.
TIoNf-TALKs WITH GENERAL WELLS AND COLO
MEL sMsLLyY.
lsr rsLEo1ARu TO THE TRrBusnJ
Boston, July 26.-A dispatch to The Journal
from Burlington vt says: The news Of the suspen.
sion Of Collector William Wells and the appointment Of
Colonel Bradley B. smaley to the oface created
something Of o sensation among the Federal once-
holders here. and has been the prevailing topic
Of conversation among all classes to-day Democratic
partsans aud oce-seekers are jubiant over tho sp-
pointment while some Republicans express surprise
and others regard the change as the logical
and inevitable result Of Democratic ascendency
in tho Nation. The Mugwumps are In
quandary These so-called Independents. who
cast about seventyhve votes last fall for the Demo
cratic ticket and contributed to deoat the Republican
nominees at the Of Senator Edmunds do not know
whether the suspension Of Collector Wells
or to rejoice the appointment OF thorough
bred Democrat who is pronounced partisan.
The matter Of the retention In office the suspension OF
Collector Wells has regarded by many test OF
President Cleveands policy regarding offensive parts
anship I'm Federal officials. General Wells appeared
somewhat surprised by the annou OF his suspen
sion. He said he that charges OF ononsve
parsanshp had been preferred against him but he ex-
oncrated Colonel smaey from any completely In the
preparation thereof General Wells expressed the
opinion that Senator Edmunds and the Republican Sem
would demand to have the causes for his removal
laid before them and that they would insist on an op
portunity being given him TO disprove the
charges made by Vermont Democrats.
General Wells is cognizant of the
character of the charges and while he did not review
them all In the presence of The Journal representative
he specific denias Of the acts alleged against him.
General Wells said that II Democrat was to have the
office there was no who worthy OF the place
or e. whom he would more cheerfully turn over tne
Colectorshp than Colonel smalley.
. Dan bIic,.p
will oppose the confirmation Of Colonel smailey
IL well known that the personal aud political relations
Innate Il ia said that senator Eimunds before his de-
parture for Europe. advised the Collector 70 sek ann
be az least for the present 1t is not probable
that he requested President Cleveland to retain
General =, W Me wsetbnr senator Edmunds would make
a night the suspension OF General Wells. Leading
the Senator i" r"' would intcrpose no objection
TO Colonel smalley's confirmation. They base
Edmunds in the Presidents and his apparent
friendly feelings toward President Ueveand nney ao
tion by factious opposition to the CONFEDERATION Oh
"coonel smaley was found this afternoon in his pleas
ant house yerookng the akc Regarding his appoint
Go one saaey SAID ne mad n% 10 ec,op lIec
that the President contemplated an immediate change
P Pace ac Coast next MONTH but now he feels obliged
stay at home and take charge OF the custom house @
of enteri"S npor the duties OF the Office General
Wells has made an admirable Collector said Colonel
am Repubicanism The Democrats OF the sate.Are en-
ile to the best office In Vermont which is the Collec-
iUis"p Sed by "a' ver &c Democrat The party state
presented my for COLLECTOR to PRESIDENT
Concerning the charge made against General wells,
Colonel sSalsy said have persten.y sdsses te e
parsanship AGAINST the Collector II General Wells
was not ro%D 10 sn hs end Of his sSa worry a.
little about the chances of my confirm alton oy the senate
a. I have concerning my appointment. IN q party
GENERAL WELLS NOT PARTISAN.
RUTLAND, VT, July &c. Some curiosity Is
felt In vcrn, concerning the probable course OF Mr.
Edmunds IN tn Senate winter concerning the ap-
pointuieut OF Bradley b. smaey as Collector Of the
Port Of Burlington. That city is the Senator's home
and tho present incumbent Of the office, Gen.
eral william Wells, Is friend OF. Mr.. Ed
munds. General Wells was reappointed for
second term OF four years scarcely twelve months
ago. and during all his service proved an emcient
and faithful officer Indeed. Mr. Smaley Is reported 70
have said that II he could not get General welss place
without f NJ charges would get 1t at all An odd
feature OF the case Is that the pres
cut ihent, though Q Republican, Is
nothing Of q partisan; whereas the man TOT
whose ,a h is turned is Secretary Of the Demo-
cratic Nat ON 4, Committee aud shares with Hiram At
kins Of pslier the distinction OF being the CHIEF
manager IT @ Bourbon mschne In Vermont Another
iuterestinL cumstauce Is tnat Wue non- partisan
Republir,n dismissed before the expiration OF his
term TO IN Ike room for partisan Democrat OF
the most no ounced type Smaey has himself been Kept
in the ffc OF Clerk of the United states Distrlct
Courtn er uont for ABOUT twenty years under Kepuo
can Ad nj lratons spite Of his politics This pos
iton is T. rhaps, worth us much now as IL was under
the Fed, al bankruptcy law; yet the tolerance vita
which be ha been treated stands out IN markea con-
tast To he treatment Of General Wells oy the Demo
cratic A. mini ,tration. -.
The ur lgton Custom House has on It's pay.
roll wa Il of sixty employees, ana tho once
OF cole, or the In crative In the state which Is
filled by Executive appointment Ever since MI Cleve-
and's au suration Mr. smailey has been working Tor
the prz md when July passed without his receiving
the ann In nent greatly vexed. He ga!e vent
coude Tia about that time TO his disgust at the slow
ness with which Federal offices were parcelled out 70
Vermont Democrats. Soon afterward he and Mr.
Atkins went to Washing n, put In some
hard work and soon largo grist Of small postal
anno,nmets for their constituents Senator Edmunds
beinx from country he could not easiy inter
serr i'm behalf OF his friend General Wells, nor In de-
fence Of civil Service reform principles and 50
smalley at last has secured the coveted prize Mr.
Atkins understood ia willing to take the Internal
Revenue Colectorshp.
THE ETPE RECORD