New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-10
MR.. EDGERTON REMOVED.
PAYING PRIVATE SCORE AT THE PUBLIC
EXPENSE.
THE PRESIDENT SENDS THE SENATE HUGH S,
rHoMPsoN's NAME IN PLACE OF THE De-

THE PRESIDENT SENDS THE SENATE HUGH s.
rHoMpsoN's NAME IN PLACE OF THE De-
POSED CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONED
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TkBUsE.l
Washington, Feb 9.-The President astonished
the Phistines to-day by sending to the senate tne
nomination of Hugh S. Thompson, OF South caro-
lima. at present First Assistant Secretary OF the
'rreasurv' 70 be Civil Service Commissioner, vice
- Alfred p. Edgerton of Indiana, removed" That
M Tbomuson WIS a candidate for the position
80 Civil Service Commissioner was understood
some time ago. but it was not believed tnat the
President would go so far as to remove Edgertoh
in order to make room for Thompson IL was
halieved rather, that he would I'LL the vacancy
still existing by reason of MIR. Oberlys transfer
~ .he head of the Indian Bureau, and thus pro-
vide what would under ordinary circumstances
ha,,e been regarded as sort of permanency for the
Vsrst Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury AT
nrosent il looks, however, if the whole plan OF
rrov;ding for Thompson would miscarry alto
ratber for the Senate is in no temper either 10
Eli, the President in carrying out his little scheme
- having private political obligations at the
o,bl,c expense or to confirm for such place as
.hot ~ Civil Service Commissioner South Caro-
uno Democrat and one of Mr.. Ihompson's ante
aonts and record as o spokesman in the Treasury
Department especially.
Judge Edgerton was quito willing apparently,
% take the public into his confidence. lie sald
today TO the correspondent of The Tribune: " The
6yst intimation l received of my proposed re-
moval was yesterday, when the President sent for
me After beating for some time about the bush
he asked me to resign my place as Owl service
Commissioner. Now, am not The person to retire
nnder fire. and as there had been some minor
noints of difference between the President ana
myself in times past l asked to be informed OF
the reasons why my resignation was demanded,
The President hemmed and hawcd great deal
at first, but finally blurted ont:
81 want your resignation because l want 10
rive the place to Hugh S. Thompson, the FIST
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury"
rs this the only reason p asked.
The only one the President replied
Then said !, i shall refuse 10 resign. Mr..
President
i shall remove you, then retorted the Presi-
dent.
DO as you please said l. Remove me II
vou coo fl hut remember that l shall not lend a
hand in this dirty business And then l said
.Good-morning' Well, to-day went TO the rooms
of the Commission TO attend TO my business, but
somehow or other my hand felt little cramped,
and I refused TO sign some papers submitted TO
memo physical disability, or mental, mind you,
but rather a legal difficulty, you understand.
At o'clock notice Of my removal was sent to
me. That's all know Of the matter
Did you ever have any controversy or diff
Guilty with the President?
of Them and then he added with a good deal OF
emphasis: The trouble, you see WIN inc
President is that he is Mugwnmp-a Mugw1lmp
of Aiuevumps / am not md the 'udge arew
himself up to his full height and adjusted his
old-fashioned aat-brimmed tile with an ar OF
bold defiance. a.
May inquire" the correspondent Ven'ureu 10
ask what you are, Judgep
A smile of pity and consideration stole over the
osizzled countsnanoo OF the Judge as he surveyed
the correspondent ne repeatSha' ,ars s't ah S.
every drop Of blood in me is. Don't make any
mistake about that. That's where the PreSioeno
and differ. yon see -,
such long standing how is it, Judge, that the
President, after bearing with you 80 long, ohy
found out twenty-three days before ne ~ gong
GU of Office that he can bear with you no longer
Well that's the cOnundrum. But suppose
the President acted upon the same principle that
the fox did when he said 70 the coon, after they
had been INDUCING for long TINE IN nshIhln nss
Look here coon, let's stop this thing night mere
and have en- end. for sooner or later we are sure
to meet at the hatter's" " a.
There is good reason for believing that ens
Senate will refuse 10 confirm Mr.. Thompson ana
that it will insist on knowing ohiclaliy "a, the
reasons why Mr. Edgerton was removed MI.
Tbompson's record in the Treasury Department
where he was in charge of all the appointments
has been that of a consistent spokesman lie
never in his life WAS suspected Of being either
in sympathy with Civil Service principles, or 70
looiy with ANYTHING but disfavor upon law which
kept southern patriots from feeding at the public
crib While Edgertoa was probably everything
that his own characterization Of himself lmpneSa ed
10 wit. a Democrat-he, at least. never prete nned
80 he anv+hinp else This, certainly, is more
Than can be said of Hugh S. Thompson