The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-09
"ERHARDT DID IT." DID HEl
NOW IT CAME ABOUT THAT TETkRANS'
HEADS WkRE CUT OFF,

NOW IT CAME ABOUT THAT IErHRANs'
HEADS WkRE CUT OFF.
rhs CeiIsetsr Does Not Rstsrt che Aces.
sasion which the Secretary or tho
Treasury - Said 20 Have Maae. Sst
He xecites the Facts.
Collector Erhardt returned yesterday from
Little Doar's Head He received word that II
would be i'm possible for Senator Fassett to
take up the reins until Wednesday next. Col.
Erhardt aoauiesced In the now arrangement
Tho dismissal OF the Grand Army mon. undor
the requirements OF tho Wilbur and Chance
commissions recomme q dations. las caused
trouble, and Secretary Foster has laid the
responsibility on Collector Erhardt. Mr. Fos-
ter says that whom he signud the order remov-
Ing the G. A. r. men he didn't know whether
the unfortunalss were white or black. Demo-
Gratis or Republicans Collector Erhardt ex-
plains bis position In this correspondence with
Major Joseph W. hay. Acting Chairman OF the
Executive Committee, Veterans Rights Union:
MAJOR KAY's INQUIRY
"Mr DEAR Biz AND CoMRApE: In the recent
reduction OF force in tho customs service at
New York by order OF tho honorable. the
Secretary Of the Treasury. very large pro-
portion Of those DISCHARGED from employment
ars honorably discharged soldiers and sailors
Of tie late war. This involves discrimiE alton
against veterans In disreeard Of tho provisions
Of chapter 276 Of tho laws OF 1876 In cases
whore those thus discharged are equally com.
pstent with others who have been retained.
and 10 cer,ain violation Of both the letter
and spirit OF Section 1854. Revised Statutes
United States. whore those rsnovad were
honorably discharged from the military or
naval service by reason OF disability resulting
from wounds or sickness incurred In the line
Of duty II such persons nre now competent
1T Is not possible that It was the intention
Of the secretary or yourself to do any injustice
By veterans OF the late war In this reduction OF
your force. But the facts speak. And II was
stated to me BY a gentleman who stands high
IN the councils OF the Republican party. % also
In The q. 4. y. t. whom made; prSt s.Ns
zvsaas h a"is on he day sss
met there last week. that Erhardt did It. and
dGn, sh. my
your acts in this respect / pronounced any
such statements false.
would care to assume tho Iesponsibiiity for
this wholesale removal Of Veterans IN contra
:nG9 Of ns ana q h. ss
not believe, esneeially 90 in this case. And /
IL N ne' b. hns
divisions in, your ONCE. or on direct designs.
rSs relnststement to their places lp tho
public service Of all worthy veterans who in
f: s&oSu s.
IN any event. in Justice TO al concerned. the
ss.1.; So aCs Sed a'
i properly belongs: ,The cor, Sc ioI ys'sEans
+ the concern OF all comrades. and because
thereof an injury to them or yom Affects all
sidera!ion IN matters affecting veterans OF the
war which 1t has been my privilege TO bring to
S.. PG 70 ss N: DO: 4. y.
sSsS ssS!Is ;
M Hon JOEL l. ' GnH1npr. ccliseior. AA
THE COLLECTORS ANSWER
r.9.,aS x %Sh 1st pmo s"a'a" k''s'' e""
found your letter, which hasten t to answer,
tssinss yeterans under the last order Is NO. not
Justified by the facts. The Secretary. owing to
~ as n
IN. subjeSt was referred Sy h'm to two sps s
Cd and the occupants discharged. and that. 10
ether cases; certain reductions should 10 made
Secretary for his action. and by him 1t was =.
duction should BE- made alter careful aud IN.
ssxsn Of all the
ands9saandine by reason q io"9 espsrisus CO
pruning iis Knife. and Who should also have sui.
fcisnt knowledge OF the complex duties boz
eiais the. effect Of their recomme aiions
The department subsequently decided. IN
.p. IL. AZ ss e ss rss si
to reduce tho force according to their recon-
% .sn he
ssslxrS. from the secoad division 90 many.
These orders were forw ardsd to the chiefs
IN charge Of the various divisions. i've Of whom
70
that the heads Of divisions Understood the
any one else. and would do justice TO aIi con-
csrned. l made no change In their recon-
H. and s Wsre b. L
seems that there were some Veterans among
THE special sgents Investigating the, mat
they might have 6esn RCr Is ths sso,s;nry 70
subjecls himself personally, but he concluded
enc, and. not having funds enough, he directed
their report to be adopted as they had recon.
ga ss hest hs he, sca Ss t Wss
done. and In ono instance | was directed to
discontinue three Offices, whereas two
out 81 tho three were filled By Veterans: in an
other instance was directed to reduce the
clerk at that salary 10 that division. to whom
the order could amply and Il could not, b
out two clerks at s. 200 salary; Al ths 81: 200
mos. efficient men. Under the order two were
dismissed and was criticised severely.
II am very glad to ascertain from current
rumor that the department is very snx ious to
CORRECT any mistakes that its subordinntes
have made by hnsty action. and to- reinstR ate.
g far as possible. veterans who have been
ptnist, alton to discriminate against veterans.
There have occurred three vacancies within
the past week. and the places have been filed
by me by recommending three veterans who
we're dropped undor tho recent departmental
order. The number OF veterans dropred under
the report OF special agents were as follows:
One teller. clerk. messengers Z watchmsn. q
lAborrrs brennan bsing total or 49,
The total number OF veterans appointed by
the Collector aud approved by The department
10 as follows:
"Appoinlsi-Four deputy collsctors superintendent!