The evening world., 1891-07-29

The report OF the Collectors resignation
caused q bigger sensation In the old granite
building IN Wall street this morning than his
wholesale olcial slaughter which was an
nounced late last evening.
The work OF the Oftcial headman's axe was
almost lost sight Of IN the news that the
chief UI the department was going out with
hi, men. and that the action OF the Admins
rrlriJn IN cutting down his stan had met with
hl, profound disapproyal
At first even the Collectors immediate sub
o.Iiuares refused to believe the story, for his
determination mas been surrounded with such
close secrecy that up to last night not the
tIlateaL suspicion Of his intention had got
abroad.
The collector arrived at the Custom-House
This morning at o'clock. and was apparently
ia rla best OF spirits. He was Immediately
b,-la-ad by a host Of friends and newspaper
mau, who were anxious TO learn the facts in
r.-ard TO the ruMOrs which were fytng
about.
1t Is perfectly true that have resigned
the C0llec,orship," replied col. Erhardt,
calmly to an EVENING WORLD reporter, &" but
IIld not intend that the fact should be made
puu.i, quite so soon.
How It got out do not know, for It was
oGcla.ly known to only three persons beside
myseli-the President, Secretary Foster and
FIRST Assistant secretary Spaulding
However, these things always leak out in
some mysterious way, and there Is no use In
ny denying the report now
Are you prepared to make any statement
as TO the reasons Tor taxing this step;' he was
asked.
Not at present" he replied. " although
NAY have something 10 say later on that
point"
"w0uld you have rendered your resignation
II the Department had not ordered this large
reduction in the stan at the Custom-Housef =
Well, that IS rather a leading question,
and must decline TO answer" replied the
Collector, with a smile.
ADO you think that this reduction IN the
working force will in any way cripple the
erici-LCy OF the seTvice:" pursued the ques-
TONER.
Thine alone will show" was the reply.
The Collector then withdrew 10 his private
room. lie was very busy, he said, and could
answer no more questions
He afterwards stated. however, that he had
heard nothing as 10 the appointment OF his
successor, and did not know who he would be
As 10 his plans for the future he had
nothing 10 say, nor would he confirm the ~
port that he intended to connect himself with
an important business enterprise.
As soon as he retlres from the CollectorshiI
a. viii Join his family in the New Hampshire
mountains and take much needed rest.
II Is -atd that his resignation, which wa
sent % President Harrison more than
month ago, has been practically accepted
and that steps have already been taken 10
ward rhe appointment OF his successor.
The collector himself would not sa
whether any Efforts had been made 70 per
suade him 10 retain the omce, but declare
that nothing would Induce him 10 change hi
decision.
well-kuJwn local Republican politician
and ;riead Of Col. Erhardt, SAYS there IS u
doDb- that he Collectors resignation was
direct consequence II the refusal Of the Al
Ulni,yrati1n to support him in his views Z
lA requirements OF the customs service a
HI, port.
When a reduction Of the stan was mr.
Sh-d ~, the Collector protested very %
l-a.iealiy against any further lOppiugs Of
and i11', the position that the deplrtmet
was being run upon as economical basis d
was assistant with the demands q the SCI
u..
tAn business % the Custom-HJuse was II
''sAs'ng, and, n anything, more men '-er
ard 20 perform the complicated duties
"a apartment A reduction In the EoTdn