National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-01

sail for San Domingo, when on last Friday
he received a dispatch from the Secretary
Of State calling him to this city Immediate
ly and informing him that protest had
been filed by the Louisiana delegation In
the House of Representatives against his
retention in Office, upon the charge OF of
fenslve partlsanship, the charge being that
he had some years ago canvassed the third
district against Mr.. Gay, the present repre-
sentative from that district.
Since Monday last the Department OF
State has been hearing the protests Of the
Louisiana delegation, but they failed to
make any charge against Mg. Astwood, ex-
cept that he was Republican, and they
thought that the place ought to be filled by
a Democrat. On Tuesday Representative
King, upon the request of +. s. Shields,
surveyor Of customs at New Orleans, with
drew his opposition to the retention Of Mr..
Astwood. During all the time that the
case has been under consideration Assist
ant Secretary OF State Porter has been
warmly In favor Of the retention of Mr..
Astwood, maintaining that he had dis
charged his duties faithfully and efficiently
and that under the civil service rules he
ought to be retained. On yesterday morn
ing Mr.. Astwood was informed that the
department had determined, after due con-
sideration, TO retain him, consequently he
will leave this city in few days for San
from the board OF underwriters Of the
cities Of New York, Boston, and Phlladel
phia and from Messrs W. p. Clyde d. Co.,
OF New York, Mr.. Astwood Is also strongly
indorsed by Mr.. John Wanamaker and
Messrs. L. Remington e. Sons, Of Philadel-
phia; by Mr. II. g. King, of New York, and
by Mr. s. p. Tuck, special agent of the
State Department.
New York and Philadelphia are the only
cities In the United States having any con-
siderable business with San Domingo, New
Orleans not having dollars worth OF
business with that port. Mr.. Astwood is
thoroughly well educated, speaking both
Spanish and French fluently, and his reten-
ton in office is but the proper appreciation
Of the valuable service he has rendered the
| government and the great commercial In
| terests Of this country. Herewith we pub
lish some Of Mr.. Astwood's Endorsements :
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF UNDERWRITERS, 81
WALL STREET, New York, Nov. 13, 1Ss5-HIs
EXcELLRNcY GROVER CLEVELAND, PRESIDENT
sire TO bear testimony to the efficiency and
| fathiulness OF Mr.. II. G. G. AstwOod, the
| present consul of the United States at San
Domingo. Mr.. Astwood has acquired intimate
| knowledge of the shippers and receivers of
goods at the island of Hayti. He has rendered
| himselfvery popular with the government of
| tho Island. by which means he has acquired
| nn influence that enables him to watch care
| fully and 10 protect American commerce. He
| has been the means OF unearthing number of
| gross frauds attempted on the underwriters OF
| the United States, and by his timely advice has
| prevented their consummaton, aud by his
| assistance to agents has been the means OF fur
! nishing to underwriters the proper evidence
for deiense against attempted wrongs Tho
| files of the Department OF State will confirm
| these statements. For these and other good
| and sufficient reasons we feel constrained 10
ask your eNcellency to renew the appointment
| Of MIR. Astwood TO his position, In the belief
| that If granted twlll be In conformity with
| civil service reform rules, and will rebound to
the credit of the government in protecting
| commerce. We remain, very respectfully,
| your obedient servants, ]. 7. PAuLESoN,
| CHAs. DENNIS, Secretary. Vice President.
The above letter is also signed by W. G..
| Comes, president ofthe Commercial Insurance
| Company; u. u. Blocker, jr,. president of the
New York Mutual Insurance Company; J. p.
| Paulison, president of the Sun Mutual Iusur.
ance Company; Alfred Ogden, vice president
Ferdinand Motz, president Of the Great West West.
| ern Insurance Company; Charles Dennis, yice
president Of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance
scribers at United States Lloyds; L. A. Wight,
| underwater for the British and Foreign Mu.
tual Insurance, Company. New York. and
Stephen Croweli, president OF the Phoenix In
Insurance Company of North America; Jones
4 Whtlock, attorneys for the Union Marine
Insurance Company, limited James lawson,
| attorney for the Universal Mariue Insurance
co.underwriters at New York NJ under
| writers; Chubb d Son agents for tho Marine
| Insurance Company, limited, of London; Percy
| Chubb, for the Sea Insurance Company, lin.
tied; II. & @. l.. Despard, agents fort Boyls.
ton Mutual Insurance Company OF Boston, and
seventeen underwriters OF Philadelphia and
| Boston
NEW York, Feb. 10, 1Ss6--HoN. THOMAS F.
| BAYARD. SECRETARY OF STATE, WASHINGTON
d. C-ST: AS owners and managers of the
only line of steamers running TO Santo Do
mingo, we beg respectfully TO state that Mr.
II. @. C. AstwOod, at present consul at SantC
| Domingo city, has during his occupancy oil
| that position been most dlligent and efficient
in the performance Of his duties, and In look
ing after our own and other American inter
Csts at that port. We say, without hesitation
that he has been the most energetic and
efficient representative of American interests
that has occupied that position within oul
| knowledge or experience, extending over some
ffteen years, and this opinion Is shared by
all the Americans with whom we came In
contact in this business. He has a thorough
knowledge of the language, laws, aud Gus
toms Of the people OF Santo Domingo, and fol
this reason, IN addition 10 the other reasons
given above, he would be much more eficlen
in the nrtherance and protection OF American
interests at that port than any one else taklnf
the position could possibly be until he haC
some years experience. We therefore respect
fully add our petition TO those which have al
ready been presented 10 the department fol
his retention as consul at that port. Yours
| very TQsn1Qtfnlly kVNf { - CTXpp n IN