Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-31
THE POLITICAL CHESS BOARD.
Comments as to the Influence of Erhardt's
Resignation Thereon.

Resignation Thereon.
WASHINGTON, July 9l.-One of the best
kept political secrets on record is the res
ignation of Collector Erhardt, of New
York, which, instead of being sent on
only the other day, had been in President
Harrison's hands for six weeks before the
fact of the resignation was allowed to
transpire Secretary Foster was much
tickled Wednesday when reporters called
upon him to inquire about that '.ru-
mored" resignation of Erhardt. Yesterday
when asked II the resignation really YVES
In hand SO long, he said: Yes, his resig-
nation was in the presidents hands before
went out to Ohio" Erhardt's state
ment of why he resigned contains the as
sertion that the New York custom house
Is run Fat the dictation of private indi
vidual," and the wiseacres here imniedi-
ately named the private individual" Hon.
Thomas E. Platt, of New York.
As Viewed by Politicians.
Politicians see in the appointment of
Fassett shrewd political move to insure
Harrison representation inside the ma
tlonal executive committee, and at the same
time offset the retirement of Quay and
Dudley. They say that by selecting Fas-
sett, who is a member of the national Re
publican committee, for collector at New
York the president secures representa-.
tion in the committee, and at the same
time secures man who will be satisfac-
tory to Hiscock and Platt in New York.
and make the chances Of a Harrison dele
cation from New York very much i'm
proved. All this carries with it the idea
that Platt secured Fassett's appointment.
Platt Not Running the once.
"Wprp the reaspvE asSicrpa1 ba Sap,a
which he [Erhardtl gave to the press
last nlght:" reporter asked Secretary
Foster
substantially the same He had an
idea that Mr.. Platt was interfering with
the appointments of subordinates in the
custom house. l don't know Just what
special ground he based this complaint on.
Mr.. Platt has not interfered in
anything of the sort since | be-
came secretary of the treasury.
fancy the feeling between the two gentle
men was of long standing. The reason
why the resignation was made final oc-
CURED, however, after the collectors let
ter had been in the presidents hands for
some time. refer to the cutting down of
the custom house force.
Had to Cut Down Expenses.
1--WE were obliged, on account of the re-
fusal OF congress to make adequate appro-
priations, to economic on all sides We
entered into correspondence right and left,
and the collectors generally ito whom we
applied signiied their willingness to sub
init to reductions. Colonel Erhardt stood
out, however, asserting that he could not
get along with smaller force and do I he
business of his Office properly. We sent
special agents to investigate the matter,
aud on the strength of their report we de
cided to reduce expenses in New York by
some $4,000 year. Colonel Erhardt took
this very much to heart, i believe"
Fassett Pushed by Nobody.
as Mr.. Fassett still Mr.. Platt's choice
for the office"
"Mr. Fassett's appointment was decided
on by the president, to the best of my
knowledge, without anybody pushing
him. The president has had him in mind
for some time, has canvassed his merits
fully, and has appointed him because he
regards him as the best man for the
place"
The New Illinois Member.
The selection of William Campbell as
the Illinois member of the national execu-
tive committee creates considerable
stir here. 1t is generally conceded by
politicians that Campbell will be at least
an anti Harrison man and probably a
Blaine man, though for Cullom as a mat
ter of local pride. This movement offsets
to a considerable extent the move made by
the president Wednesday in the appoint
ment of Fassett, as it makes one more
sure anti-Harrison man in the commit
tee.