The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-22
SHOCKED OFFICIALS.
Collector Phelps Considered a
Very Solid Man.
His Reported Dismissal Is Not Believed by
His Acknowledgements and Rumors
in Federal Circles.

The Federal buildings on Washington
street were full Of suppressed excitement
yesterday.
When the many officials who spend few
hours every day in the endeavor to make
some showing for their salaries arrived they
were extremely nervous.
Early in the morning they had read in THE
CALLS dispatches from Washington that
1t was rumored in the national capital that
the dismissal of Collector Phelps and Assist
ant Appraiser Shaen is likely to happen
most any day, and then right after that
shock came the earthquake. IL seemed as
If the powers in heaven and those on oarth
were allied In Joint effort TO shake mat
tiers UP.
Everybody was satisfied thatsneither the
cracked walls Of the Appraisers building
nor the delicate position of many Of its oc-
cupants could remain firm if this double
shaking-up is continued.
However, as far as the removal of the
Collector is concerned, there was no one in
the building who considered such an occur
renee probable, and the same may be said
In reference to James L. Tucker, the Assist
ant Appraiser.
Collector Phelps himself occupied his seat
in the inner office of the Custom-house as
usual and did not seem TO be much disturbed
by the news published about him. He said
that he had only Monday received dis
patches from the Treasury Department
which entrust him with the supervision of a
most important and confidential matter and
that he considered il very improbable that
the Government should place SO much con-
hfence in man whose removal is contem-
plated.
Colonel Evans, the special treasury agent.
when seen gave the assurance that he had
every reason to believe the man who sent the
news from Washington concerning Collector
Phelps removal had been msnformed.
1.-The department. and all the highest Gov
eminent officials" said Mr.. Evans, 'have
and efficiency, aud as for myself who for
long time have been in daily contact with
him, respect the Collector most highly
and | know Of no reason why his dismissal
should be contemplated"
CARRIERS KNOWLEDGE.
United States District Attorney Garter, who
Claimed TO be IN position to know great
deal about the matter, said that Special
Agent TIngle and Solicitor Hepburn had
only words of praise Tor Collector Phelps
when they were here. They not only said
that they had utmost confidence in him. but
showed il by consulting him OH everything
of Importance they did. Mr.. Garter also
said that he knew that Collector Phelps is
the authorized heal of all the investiga-
lions TIE Government is at present engaged
in making in local custom-hOuse affairs, and
that the fact that Tucker was placed in
charge OF the Appraisers office when Leavy
was dismissed ought to be sufficient proof
10 show that he is considered above suspi-
con by the Government
Assistant Appraiser Tucker takes the
whole matter as a joke and laughed when
he was asked about his rumored dismissal.
Mr.. Tucker evidently is in a position TO feel
easy. for, although Democrat, he has the
most powerful influence and the closest
connection with the powers which rule in
Washington. Therefore having as he
stated, not received any direct information
he does not consider the news worth trou-
bling about. III | am discharged for some
cause said Mr.. Tucker, you can rely
upon it that l would be advised of it ini-
mediately and you can also rest assured that
If such thing should happen | would inl-
medlately request that an investigation
should be held" and then Mr. Tucker
added smiiingly, Il guess / have enough in
fiuence with President Harrison to have
nm grant such request If l should be conf
PEELED 20 make il"
inspector NOyes received a dispatch from
Washington yesterday ordering him To re-
port to Collector Phelps for special work 10
be done under the latter's direction.
Tbat mysterious indictment fled by the
Grand Jury on Wednesday also caused some
talk In the Government building yesterday
THAT INDICTMENT.
No arrest has as yet been made and the
BENCH warrant issued by Judge Morrow is
still In the United States Marshai's hands
The few officials who know who the in
| dicted party is are as dumb as the proverbial
| oyster when approached on the subject, and
| although many theories are advanced by the
| people not in the secret they are only
| guesSes at the most. Yesterday a rumor
| spread that prominent attorneys name is
| the one inscribed on the latest true bill
found by the Grand Jury. but no substantial
reason could be found why il such is the
| case the man has rot been arrested, since il
| Is known that he is not absent from the city.
The Government yesterday rested its case
In the Liebes tobacco investigation tempo
rarlly, that Is with the understanding that
| the introduction OF further testimony shall
| be permitted later on IL the prosecution so
| desired.
a stipulation was filed yesterday, accord
| Ing 10 the termS of which Liebes admits
| that the % bales of tobacco s1mpled by
Agent Mccoy in New York were a part OF
the cargo OF 146 bales received by L:ebes
| Bros. y Co. In this city last September
In consideration for this admission the
Government, through the First Assistant
| Secretary of the Treasury, promise ed TO re-
lease the 146 bales which were seized.
Attorney CoOmbs left for New York last
night, and Liebes' defense, which COM
mences to-day, will be conducted by his
associate. Judge Dibble.
An unusual activity prevails in the office
OF United States District Attorney Garter.
Up to late hour last night his Offices in the
Appraisers building we're brilliantly lit, and
Mr.. Garter, as well as his clerks, were as
busy as bees.
The doors were all carefully locked. and
the District Attorney had made sure that
he would not be interrupted in his labors,
whatever they may have been.