Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-12-31


not always agreed with Senator Edmunds.
but often with somebody else, yet in his
greater and original efforts for the up-
building of men, we must acknowledges
that he Is the leader in the most intricate
and important Legislation
The Case of Mr.. Combs
There are four general appraisers con
nected with the customs department of
the United States. The office is a re.nop.
sihle one, requiring high practical busi-
ness experience, sound judgment and
Judicial quality of mind. one of the foi,r
lew weeks since was Mr.. II. W Com,s
OF Baltimore. He was considered ono of
the best officers in the department hoi,o,
able, experienced, uncorruptible Sud'
denly, the other day, without a word or
warning, Mr.. Combs was Superseded hv
disappointment of Democratic parti.,,
as his successor. As this case has soma
noteworthy features, as illustrating the
methods in vogue under the present Gro.
form administration, we copy below the
larger part of letter addressed by Mr.
Combs to President Cleveland. detailing
the principal facts in the case. The facts
largely carry their own comment, and all
that need be added is that Mr.. Combs
has never received any reply to his LET
ter.
lhXtracts from EN-Appraiser Combs letter.
~ Dec. -, 1856.
To the President:
SIR: In view of your repeated public
utterances in favor of civil-service reform
and the execution of the civil service law
according TO its spirit and letter and your
declaration that a public Office is a nm blic
trust, any suspension from public office.
especially upon the eve of the convening
of Congress, without The cause therefor
beng assigned, naturally creates IN the
public mind the impression that the sus-
pended officer was incompetent or recreant
to his public trust
Having earnestly endeavored. during
my Two ana half years Of public service
as United States general appraiser IN
discharge the duties of my office vim
diligence and fidelity to the government
ana FAIRNESS and impartlalltV to imnort
ers' ! feel that in justice to myself and
my friends, the circumstances connected
WIN my suspension 10y you on the 10Th
ut. should tie brought directly to vour
attention, in the hope hat YOU will pive
me an explanation OF the causes and ron
sons therefor which will eXonerate me.
before the public, from the reflection on
my character ana illness for public trust
which such summary suspension must
create.
! II had been guilty of the grossest mis-
conduct the manner of this suspension
could not have been more summary and
the hearintr of a ra-,rr"oi, ~ C"'nileuce
IN enrIv hrnr on tha Pptn"r,'i,1. .doe az
inst, when an importer called nv atteu-
ton to notice in the JOTld of the an
pointment of my successor, Mr. Downes.
heart and nor yi.bir', * i HV.iiineHt AZ
IaVaI Cnnniic,+ions ~, , .H,oIte !. ~
dntiee ~ ,n otIica ~ q Pti loi iil!i- !He
migbt NOT evnn tbnn harn h' vi "iIGH
RI EXERCISE imtediataiv t .ie ,chIl X NJ
SECRETARY MANNING ne f9l1Ht'. " ti'H..o
announce the .n,Gint,,,,yt ~ 3Pel9
nraiser 1T Raltir'orn Sb,iI 'dS,u az
nntinIsbad casa. nr l,s ,',i Oo'lC4 iue
tnkan pffect = An.Jrar %,. Via a. rpeHSlQu
lie hnsiness Of tba alr9 a. (, i ne P55oI
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w my su H,t nti H'l oetu uelNereu
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u"A u" .lilit coIlu I ne iosl ~ tne ueual
So Q 'sS'e9 vi sICH occfSioHs caIItI' upon
/ II.