Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-29
THE WITHDRAWN APPOINTMENTS.
A Talk with Beverly Tucker-His Con-
nection with the Confederacy..

The Haytian commission muddle is still I'M
settled. The appointments were undoubtedly
Withdrawn on account of representations made
to the President associating Gen. Beverly Tucker
with the assassination of Lincoln and other
conspiracies. The appointment of General
Tucker was at the instance of Mr.. Blaine. and
the fact that no voices were raised against the
appointment of the same man to places of
distinction by Presidents Hayes and Gar
field, leads to the suspicion that the
purpose now is to cast some sort of reflection
on the Secretary of State and to place him in the
light of being turned down by the President
Both at the State department and at the
White House silence Is persevered in as to the
matter. 1t Is still under consideration, how
ever and is being considered with relation to
the charge made against General Tucker.
The question that withholds the commissions
Is not whether or not the commission should
yet be appointed, but is that of the propriety
OF Gen. fuckers appointment.
Mr.. Blaine, it is understood, is prepared to
maintain himself in the selection. He sent for
copy OF Gen. fuckers disclaimer. published
during Johnson's administration, and is. it
is understood, prepared to vindicate
the appointment. 1t is likely, however, that
nothing will be done in the matter until after
the Presidents return from New York. At
the next cabinet meeting the matter will doubt
WHAT GEN. TUCKER SAYS.
A STAR reporter found Gen. Beverly Tucker
this morning at breakfast with his brother
Judge Randolph Tucker, at Chamberlin's. Il
have not seen Mr. Blaine" he said HE was
down the river yesterday, you know. and
have not been to the State department to-day;
so L know nothing about the situation. | do
not know the reason for the withdrawal of
the appointments of the commission nor what
10 ,,lo4..1 II
only surmising to attempt to discuss it, and
l cannot of course, do that"
HIS CONNECTION WITH THE CoNFEDERACY
"As to the sensational stories about my being
associated with conspiracy and the like attacks
upon me, the whole thing is without an iota of
truth. All that was answered in my address to
the people during Johnson's administration.
The only positions ever held under the con-
tederate government were perfectly legiti-
mate mission abroad to purchase quarter
masters stores and a mission to Canada to ex-
change cotton for meat. l had nothing what
ever to do with any of the military operations
of the cOnfederacy, their guns or their soldiers,
or their military plans in any way, and l was
in absolute ignorance of them. l was in
Canada to trade cotton for meat. pound for
pound. President Lincoln and Secretary
Seward were aware of my mission; knew its
character and all about it.
BY PERMISSION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN
President Lincoln issued a permit. under
the Treasury regulations" for Mr.. w. G.. Ford,
of this city, to go to Canada to trade with me-
The permit was written by Mr.. Lincoln but
four or five months before his assassination.
lie wrote it while in barber-shOp, resting the
paper on his hat while he wrote. | had the
permit and would have it now but that it was
left with my other valuable papers in the bank
OF Baron. FOrbs " Co., in Mexico. You know
was in Mexico during the last years of Maxi
milian's reign. and left with Marshal Bazaine
When l left placed trunk with my papers in
the bank. Mr.. Emilio Baron, the president,
died and | never got them again But Mr.
Ford is living i'll New York. / believe. Mr..
Lincoln gave this permit but about four months
before his death. Do you think it likely that
should want him killed?
PROOF OF CONFIDENCE AND TRUST.
81 came back to this country during Mr..
Grants administration, and have been here
since. When | went to San Francisco Secre-
tary Sherman and Secretary Evarts intrusted
to me an important service. President Gar
field appointed me ore of the board of visitors
to the naval academy. There was no cry
against me at that time
AIMED AT BLAINE.
"The fact appears" broke i'll Judge Randolph
Tucker, that some of the enemies of Mr.
Blaine are trying to hit at him over my
brothers shoulder. 1t is a feeble attempt to
hurt Mr.. Blaine, presume"
WHILE IN CANADA.
General Tucker said that while in Canada he
and Mr.. Clay were in the same house, and he
often saw Clay and Thompson, but
that he heard nothing at all
of the business of those gentlemen and pur-
posely avoided learning. Never a word passed
between them on the subject of Mr.. Clay's mis-
sion and he, Tucker, would always leave if any
one called to see Clay on business when he was
in the room.
He did not know or suspect, or care to know
what Clay and Thompson were doing. He had
no interest in the military or political in
trigues. His mission was that of trading for
meats.