New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-01
THE NEW COLLECTOR HERE.
SENATOR FASSETT WILL VISIT THE CUSTOM
HOUSE TO-DAY.
HE WILL ASK COLONEL ERHARDr TO REMAIN
IN OFFICE FOR A FEW DAYs-A CALL
ON THE PRESIDENT AT
CAPE MAY

Senator j. SlOat Fassett, the newly appointed
Collector of the Port arrived at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel last evening. He said that be had seen
the President at Cape May, and had thanked him
for the confidence rep0sed in him. lie told the
President that he would accept the Office which
had been offered to him.
i shall call on Mr.. Erhardt tomorrow" Mr..
Fassett continued, land will ask him
to be kind to me, and act as Collector little while
longer l think he will, for he has always
been very good to me. ] want to go to Elmira
and straightcn up my affairs there. You see, |
have been away from home a good deal lately,
and have not devoted much time to my personal
matters. l shall try to start for home at o'clock
tomorrow.
Il can't tell how long it will take me TO
qualify. | understand it takes some time for the
authorities in Washington to act on such matters
perhaps a week or ten days"
Mr.. Fassetts stay at Cape May was short. He
arrived there yesterday morning and started for
Ncw-York late in the afternoon. lie had the ap-
pearance Of being fatigued by his rapid travel
ling. lie assured n number of friends who had
called to congratulate him last night that
although honors had been thrust upon
him, still his hat was too large for his head.
AS for his policy as Collector, he had not thought
upon that subject.
The popularity of Mr.. FasSett was shown by
the mass of letters and kilograms which he found
on his arrival. They were principally of a con-
gratulatory nature, although a few had the ap-
pearance sf being applications for places.
Colonel Erhardt received the following letter
from the President yesterday
Cape May Point y. j.. July 90, 1891.
Hon. Joel b. Erhardt. New York City.
naar In I God M
resning your Office Of Collector OF the Port Of New.
York, and advised you that | would ot later date,
resignation TO take effect upon the appointment and
qualification Of your successor, and in doing so, beg
public of cer in the highest esteem and confidence.
and had no other thought than that you would con-
expiration of It's term. With the kndcst wishes and
''' -'7'' ''s''-'' ''''''' BENJAMrN HARRISON
Colonel Erhardt had a number of callers,
among them being Colonel De Peyster, who came
TO pay his respects. Colonel De Peyster said that
he thought the new Collector would be a great
success, and he added that he considered that the
office was too small for the man.
There is the best of feeling among the Rcpubli-
can employees at the Custom House the change.
Not one of them appears TO be the least bit
uneasy over the situation, for they all believe
that the new Collector will treat them justly.
Dewitt Clinton Wheeler, who has taken the
81 400 place of custodian Of the building, and
who was Colonel Erhardts last appointment as
Collector, was on hand to be sworn in yesterday.
lie took the oath Of Office as custodian, but II
will not be great surprise to his friends to find
bim an Assistant Appraiser soon. lie is eminently
fitted for that place.
Another of Colonel Erhardts callers was
tsas biy,naI Charlie T. NcNlclland lie came 20
bla his old chief good-by. Mr.. McClelland was
the Special Deputy Collector under Colonel Err
hardt for q long time after the President had
named the Colonel. Mr.. McClelland is a hide
bound Democrat. who received his appointment
under Daniel Magone and he was the Democratic
leader Of tine Assembly last winter.
Mr.. Fassett has not intmated in any way that
he will make any changes, but many Re
publicans believe that Deputy-CollectOr
tharles A. Burr will be the special
deputy collector.