Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-14

JUST BEFORE HE WAS RHLIKvKD-rHE ArroR-
SEY CALLED uroN TO MAKE REPORT.
Since the President made the order relieving
Maj. Raymond as Engineer Commissioner OF
the District there have been many reports con-
corning the way in which the action was
brought about II has transpired today that
there were some interesting proceedings at a
meeting Of the board Of Commissioners held
January %, two days before the order relieving
Maj. Raymond was made. That session was
secret and il was rumored at the time thai
there was some unpleasantness. A record was
made Of the proceedings on the minutes Of the
board in the form Of memorandum, as follows
january %, 1890.
III have been informed that Mr.. George G.
Hazelton, attorney Of the District Of Columbia,
called on the 18th instant upon an officer OF the
purpose Of obtaining information with refer
ence to the politics Of engineer officers in order
to select successor to myself as Engineer Com
missioner OF the District; that in the resulting
interview Mr.. Hazelton stated that my removal
was fully decided upon and he was DESTROYS OF
obtaining an Engineer Commissioner who
would be republican in politics, and
that he further stated that have
persistently voted with the democratic Com
missioner in opposition to the
republican Commissioner. / desire that this
memorandum may be referred to the attorney
OF the District for immediate explanation.
(Signed) CHAs. ". RAYMOND,
Commissioner, DC.
Respectfully referred to the attorney OF the
District OF Columbia with request that he will
return this memorandum with his remarks.
eisneD J. J. e. q: b basa;
A STAR reporter was informed when he ap-
piled at Mr.. Hazelton's Office today to see what
he had to say about the statement made by
Maj Raymond, that the attorney was away and
would not return until tomorrow.
Mr.. Hazelton has not, it is stated, yet made a
report on the memorandum referred to him.
A STAR reporter was informed that Mr.. Ha-
zelton made the inquiry referred to after Com
missioner Douglass had called upon the Presi-
dent and been requested by the President to
name an engineer officer who would be accept
able as the successor Of Maj. Raymond.
MAI. RAYMOND SAYS SIT WAS UNwARRANrABLE
TNrERFERKNCE."
'sIs this your memorandum" asked STAR
reporter as he presented copy of the above
to Maj. Raymond.
"Yes, it is" replied the major. 81 was in
interference, and as matter OF course
submitted that memorandum for the
consideration and action of the board.
l think the matter Thoroughly IN
PROFESSIONAL and an unwarranted interference. "
did Mr.. HazeltOn reply to the order OF the
Commissioners" asked the reporter.
mo, sir, he did not, and had not been re-
lieved at the time was 1 should have I'M
doubtedly offered resolution to dismiss him. u
Don't you think there could possibly be a
mistake in what you heard2"
Undoubtedly no. l am positive that Mr..
Hazelton did this thing. He misrepresented
me, however, when he said that l had
always voted with the democratic member OF
the board as against MIR. Douglass. This ID
not so. never believed that the District gov
eminent should be run as political machine,
and whatever my actions In the past have been
az regards changes voted in the interest OF
the people and not in the interest of poll.
tlcians."
MR.. DOUGLASS DECLINES TO TALK.
When STAR reporter approached Commits.
sioner Douglass today for an interview in
reference to Maj. Raymond's memorandum
MIR. Douglass said: ~ have nothing whatever
to say about it and must decline to be inter
viewed"
THE OFFICER REFERRED TO.
The engineer officer to whom Mr.. Hazelton
is said to have applied for information about
members Of the engineer corps is understood
to be Col. Gregory, the engineer secretary OF
the light house board. Col Gregory has gone
to Fort Monroe for his health and could not be
seen today.