St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-07
The Ex-Coliector Talks.

Joseph w. BoOkwatter, the eX-collector
of customs at st. Vincent. who was dis
missed from the service last September, and
who was succeeded by Dr. Guernon of Lit
tie Falls. whose appointment was rejected
Dy the United States senate last Tuesday,
was in the city yesterday. He said that,
while he had no personal feelings against
Dr. GuemOn, he was not overcome with sor-
row at the result Of the affair. His removal
from Office, he said, was accomplished by
charges preferred against him by a saloon
keeper, drunken negro and one or two
men whom he had punished for violating
the laws. These charges had never been
seen by him, he maintained, although he
had written the secretary of the treasury
for the purpose of being informed on the
subject, but had never received reply
AS consequence, he did not know the
character OF the charges, although
it was currently reported that they
were against his official integrity. He
claimed that it was an injustice to dismiss
him from office without letting him know
the charges against him, without giving
him an opportunity to refute or even an
Swer them.
He said that at the coming in of the new
administration he had rendered his reSgna-
ton or had made known to the president,
through a mutual acquaintance, that he
BOOkwater) did not wish to embarrass the
administration and would write out his
resignation at the wish of the administra-
ton. The friend was informed that the
resignation was not desired and that if
BoOkWater attended to his duties as faith
full officeholder he would be permitted to
serve his term out Acting under this adj
vice he said that he paid no attention to the
prattling of Fergus Falls saloon keeper
who came up to st. Vincent and announced
that he was going to turn BOokwater out of
office. The custer gave it out that anybody
assisting him in
GETTING UP CHARGES
against Bookwater would be rewarded by
subordinate position. ThiSlrew to him
a colorcd man. an Irish clerk who. dur
in the presidential campaign had become a
strong Blaine man, saw that his chances of
retaining office very slim, and so turned
round and secretly preferred charges
against his chief (Bookwater). In short
time after BookWater was notified of his
discharge. No reasons were assigned.
Letters seeking information on the suiect
were never answered.
Mr.. BOOkwalter said that he recognized
the fact that it was a Democratic admins
tration. and that the office should be oc-
cupied by members of the dominant party
Had he been accused of being a Republican
and DISCHARGED on that account he would
not have raised his hand to prevent the con-
tirmation of his successor. Had he been
notified of the charge against him. and
been given an opportunity of replying
thereto, he said there would have been no
disposition on his part to fight the confirm
alton of his successor. He denied that the
failure to confirm DR.. Guernon was due to
the so-called senatorial courtesy. or the de-
sire TO do Senator Sabin, who it was known
was friendly to Bookwalter favor. He
claimed that it was a decided vote against
countenancing any such methods as had
been employed in getting rid of an Office
holder. He thought that Democrats and
Republicans alike were disposed to see fair
play in the premises. and while there was
no objection to DR.. Guernon personally, he
happened to be mixed up with an unfortu-
nate combination and suffered as result.
MIR. Bookwalter said that as a matter of
right he, now that his successor had failed
to be confirmed, was entitled to the Office
from which he had been deposed. The
office. however, was at the disposal of the
president. and the speaker could not secure
it without an order. He did not intend to
try and get possession.