Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-08
FrNoR,s REMOVAL.
II Was Evidently Made For n Pur-
pose which liz Thus Far "A Mystery
MIR. KyIe's Dentai-WhatS Senator
upigyins Saws.

1t Was Evidently Made For n Fur
pose which kS Thus Far n vi ysiery
MIR. KyIe's Dentai-What Senator
Higgins Says.
The sudden dismissal of George j. .
Finck from his position OF deputy col |
lector and inspector at the custom house |
Is political mystery. 1t wss OF first re- !
garded as fair warming TO oil Democratic |
Federal officials in this city to prepare to |
go forthwith, but Senator Higgins de- !
clares that no removals ara contemp plated |,
before the expiration of tho terms of the
monuments. 1t was also supposed that
charges were preferred against Finck, in
order TO encompass his removal, but Sen.
ator Higgins said On Monday that no
charges whatever had been preferred
RRainst him. This leaves his removal an
absolute mystery, as there seems to be
no vslid reason why he should have been
so summariy removed il the work is to
stop with his official decspitstion.
Something OF a ssnsation was occa-
stoned Sunday by the publication, In
the Sunday Star, of letter signed
Democrat" which accused Deputy Col
leotor CHARLES J, Kyle of being RESPONSE
BILE for Finck's removal. Among other
things the letter stated: 81 write to you
to say that there 10 well founded belief
among large number of Democrats that
the removal OF George j. Finck from O
position in the customs house was not
the work Of Senator Higgins, but was
due to the connivRnce of Deputy Col.
lectcr Charles j. Kyle. The full de-
tails OF the story put the deputy col
lector in very unenviable light. II
Is currently reported that some time ago
Mr.. Kyle sought On interview with Harry
Mabaffy and said to him that IL 1t wss at
all desirable that Mr.. Finck be removed,
there was way in which 1t could be
easily accomplished. MIR. Mahaffy, SO the
story goes, thought il would NOT be bad
think to have Finck out of the way, as 1t
would make room for Mahafy Republi-
can. Just the nature of the deal that
was thus set mp is not clearly defined, but
II is understood that it involved the
trumping up OF charses against Mr..
Finck, which charges, though false, were
used to secure his dismissal. Democrats
who claim 10 be in position to know all
the facts are not slow to express their in.
digpstion at the treachercus manner III
which Mr.. Finck has been used by fal-
low-member and fellow office-holder Of
his own party"
MR KYLE's DENIAL,
IA To the above anonymous charge
Deputy Collector Kyle, when called or
by reporter of the GAZETTE Monday
morning, interposed positive anC
unequivocal denial He said that as fai
ns hr. Finok, whom he had always con
sidered model officer, was concerned
he had always treated him with kindness
and consideration and was o. mucl
astonished as any body at his suddei
removal. Ee knew nothing whatever o
the circumstances that resulted in Mr.
lf Firck's dismissal, Gnd dGfisd the anoDy
moua author OF the Star letter to com
ont cver his correct name and produo
~ the slightest proof of his charges. 40
IN il any other man." added MIR. Kyle, zeal
prove that Rm in any way implicated il
Finck's removal, want him to come 4
Fl the 'front.'"
HI Accompanied by the reporter, Mr.. Kyl
called upon senator Gray at his Office
M Here Mr.. Kyle, after stating the charge
that had been laid at bis door, sgai
tN made an emphatic denial. He desire
l Eenator Gray 10 investigate the charges
5 aud if he found them unfounded to sa
& 80 publicly, ever his own signature. II
M also asked Senator Gray anout anotht
statement cnntsined in she Star letter,
the effect that he had assented with gret
reluctance TO MIR. Kyls's appointment 6
deputy collector.
Senator Gray replied that this asseYtio
was incorrect, as he had willingly recon
mended Mr.. Kyle for the appointment
As for the investigation, he declined
& make II, as he had neither the time n,
the inclination to take up such q task. Z
KID further said that in his opinion Collect
,F RRSlow, MIR. Kyle's superior oficer, vi
N fine proper one TO make such an inveBtig
@ tior.
Isl NO CHARGES AGAINST FrNcK.
IA The imputation OF completely in al
So deal is also denied by MIR. MahBffy, OF
M Senator Higgins said that the ststeme
VI that KYLE aud MHhsffy had anything
~ do with the appointment OF Federal offic
is untrue and absurd.
NJ A reporter OF the GAZETTE 81
N Senator Higgins Monday morning al
NJ talked with hin about the matter. L
senator said thag no further removals
Federal officers in this city was 90
"A templated bBfore the expiration Of thu
terms. "At least IS far as l ana avs
Of" he added.
Then why was Finck singled out al
removed p was asked.
"Thau cannot tell you, )" rsspondedSe
ator higgins. "Not for awhile anyhow
"Wers any charges preferred again
hin2"
"No," replied the senator, "there WI
no charges of any kind preferred agai'
him. have understood that he WA
vary exemplary man and sstistaoto
offiSial." ....=
"Then, why was he removed?n
"Thgt I cannot tell you for the prese
wish / could. Good morning"
And so the cause of the removal of
Finck remains desp and profou
mystery.