The morning call., 1892-05-12
PHELPS DISPLEASED.
Two More Custom House Officials
Discharged.
W. G. wagstaff, a Sampler, and Joseph Frag-
ley, Laborer in the Appraisers Depart
ment, Receive Their Walking Papers.

In response TO a recommendation sent on
to Washington, by Collector Phelps, two
weeks ago, William 6. Wagstaff, sampler in
the Appraisers department OF the Custom
house. was yesterday discharged from the
service by special order from the Treasury
Department.
When Collector Phelps spoke of the
recommendation he had made to dismiss
another man. at The time he sent the papers
East, he declined to state who the Victim OF
his official displeasure was and refused to
give the reasons for this action. Now be is
perfectly willing to give the name, but he
still keeps silent when asked what Wag-
staff has done to deserve this sudden de-
capitation after having been for more than
10 years in the service of the Government.
Ignoring the fact that the discharge was
made owing to his own recommendation the
Collector explained it by saying: The de-
partment in its wisdom has decided that o
change of this kind would be for the good
of The service and that is all there Is about
it,"
WHAT wAGSTAFF SAYS.
Wagstaff himself when seen protested
profound ignorance of any wrongdoing on
his part, and o one could be found in the
Appraisers Office who knows OF anything
derogatory TO the ex-sampler.
II suppose after 10 years work in the
Custom-hOuse / had to go to make room for
somebody else for whom tie Collector had
to find a place." said Wagstaf, and then he
added that he was sorry he was discharged,
for he was poor man VIII family.
There are three samplers employed in the
local Appraisers Office. and Wagstaf was
the only Old-limer among them, he having
been appointed under Grants first admins
tration. The other two are Charles r.
Evans and W. K. Hatch, who owe their
positions to Collector Phelps.
The position Of a sampler, who is paid
$500 year, is a responsible one, be-
cause it is one OF trust A sampler who
desires to be crooked has many opportunities
To be So for ii is he who selects the portions
Of each case or bale imported which are
afterward examined by the examiners Of
merchandise,
WELL THOUGHT OF.
Wagstaff has of late been working in the
dry-goods department under NJ. W. Stack
pole, the examiner, who speaks very highly
of him.
Together with the discharge OF Wagstaff
came the appointment of his successor,
Daniel c. Stiyeys of 104 Market street. one
of the men who passed the ciYil-SeTyice eX-
animation in ApTil, 1891.
Another labOrer in the Appraiser stores
was also discharged Yesterday. His name
| is Joseph FIagley. and he was Immediately
succeeded by George ID. Bunker.
As IN all such cases there is no reason
made public for this change, and it must be
considered, in the Collectors language, 'fOr
the good OF tie service" but Fragiey hay-
ing been employed in the cigar department
his discharge may have some connection
with the recent tobacco frauds now under
investigation.
The place OF Andrew Hollywood, who
was suspended by Collector Phelps a month
ago. has as yet not been filed, but il is IN
sent on to Washington naming his successor.
Hollywood was an examiner of merchan-
disc, and il is understood that his suspen-
sion means final discharge.