Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-05
HARRISON'S TACTICS.
He Is Making Texas and Arizona
Solid for Himself in 1892.
A POPULAR OFFICIALS DOWNFALL
Second Term Politics Bring q Shock to
Him and His Friends.
SECRET OF WEBSTER FLANAGANs LUCK
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

| rFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
| WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.-The removal OF
Frank Clark, Collector of Customs at El
Paso. Tex, and the appointment of "web'
Flanagan, of "What are we here for
notoriety, has been subject for more gos-
sip to-day than the Importance Of the office
would seem to warrant. No more bitter
factional fight has been known anywhere
than that in tbe district of Paso del Norte
and the district of Arizona, the town dis.
tricts bordering on the Rio Grande. Frank
Clark was appointed collector of the former
district early during the administration Of
Mr.. Harrison.
One of the applicants for the place was
| George Christ, q very shrewd and able
politician, and another was Webster Flan-
agan. Christ did not give up his race 70,
collectorship. Downed in his fight
against Clark, he succeeded in having the
| district of Paso del Norte divided, the new
district of Arizona created, with the port
at Nogales, and himself appointed collector.
Not quite reconciled to the success Of
Clark, he probably contributed good deal
to his downfall and the elevation of the re-
doubtable and truthful Flanagan.
A FIGHT ON CHRIST.
At the same time the anti-Christ faction
has kept the clever Nogales collector con-
stantly under fire, Charges were made
against him, and special inspector was
sent to Nogales to investigate him, who ex-
onerated him, while special inspectors at
the same time sustained the charges against
Clark, which were, principally, that he alb
sented himself from his post for some time
without leave, and while absent did not
conduct himself in becoming manner.
Mr.. Clark came on to Washington to de-
fend himself and went home only two or
three weeks ago, convinced that he had
satisfactorily explained to Secretary Foster
that he was absent in the interests of his
office, and that the story of his consorting
with improper characters while absent was
untrue. Another charge, that he had con-
nived at evasions of payment Of duty, was
dismissed as being unworthy of considera-
tion on the evidence adduced.
1t is asserted by Mr. Clark's friends that
he departed assured that everything was
satisfactory and that he would not be dis
turbed, and his removal came with dis
agreeable shock to them. They assert that
second term politics are at the bottom of 1t
all, and that the President became suddenly
convinced that Flanagan in the collectors
OAuSC MOulu huOW DtbICA Wuds uC Mdo biiCiS
for than Clark would
SOLID FOR HARRISON.
Texas and Arizona are now considered
solid for Harrison. n. w. Quincy, the col
ored collector at Galveston; Flanagan at Ell
Paso and Christ at Nogales will control the
great Southwest for the President for a Sec
ond term, though secretly not one of them
has any personal or political liking for Har-
rison, and would like any good excuse for
jumping to Blaine.
The President has plainly sought only to
know which faction was stronger in these
districts, and thinking he had made mis-,
take as to Clark he turned over without
warning to Flanagan.
The blow is cruel one to Clark. He is
handsome, we'll educated young man and
very popular. Recently when he returned
home from his conference with the Presi-
dent and Secretary Foster, the news having
preceded him that he had made matters
straight with those officials, the citizens of
Ell Paso turned out almost en- masse with
bands and fireworks and met him at the
railroad station. 1t is but fortnight since
that time and he is now summarily bounced.