The morning call., 1893-06-23
Why Republicans Have to
Retire.
COLLECTOR WISE is FRANK
The Dismissed Employees Were All
Competent, but Their Places Are
Wanted for Democrats.

"piS"l 10 lhe civil Service COmmlSS ion,
created sensation among the officials at
the Federal buildings.
On June p the probationary terms of
Sampler G. D. Bunker and Examiners
Raymer Sharp and Charles j. Evans ex-
plred. According TO their commissions,
issued by Collector Phelps. they were to
serve six months upon probation, at the
end of which time, if their work was salts
factory to the Appraiser. they were to be
absolutely appointed.
Upon their appointment Appraiser Raj
ston was instructed by Collector Phelps to
report to him at the expiration of the six
months concerning their work, and upon n
favorable report, and in accordance with
the civil service rules. their appointments
were TO be made permanent.
The following is q copy of Collector
Phelps letter:
DECEMBER %. 1892
Sharp, is appointed examiner OF mercha1dise
no. l, Grass l, 10 your division, at $1,000 per
atnuiR' lot probationary period of six months,
wee I: u. Scott. promoted. If at the expira-
ton OF that period his conduct and capacity
nave oeeh proven satisfactory you viii report
viii be absolutely appointed, otherwise con-
sideTed out OF the service.
T. G. PHELPS, Collector.
MI RalSton being we'll satisfied with the
conduct of the probationers he forwarded
the following letter to Collector Wise:
Hon. John z. Wise, Collector Of Customs
SIR: The probationary period of six months
OF Examiners sharp and Evans and Sampler
Bunker expires TO morrow. They have
proven themselves efficient officers eS-
pecaly Examiners Sharp and Evans Mr.
Sharp is IN Assistant Appraiser fuckers
division. MIR. Evans was sampler for several
years. They have been puuctual, Industrious
ana show themselves to have the ability TO mi
their positions thoroughly. ( commend them
10 your favorable consideration aud recommend
that they be appointed according to tile civil
service rules. Yours respectfully,
w. c. RALsToN, Appraiser.
Mr. Ralston says that he received no re-
ply to his communication TO Mr.. Wise, but
tnat on the following day large envelope
addressed to him was received from the
Collector and upon opening it he found
three smaller envelopes addressed to
MeSsrs. Sharp. Evans and Bunker, which
he delivered o them.
The envelopes each contained a notice
OF dismissal and the following is a copy OF
the one received by Mr.. Sharp:
JUNE 81. 1898.
Raynler Sharp. Examiner No. l. Class /
SIR: Your conduct and capacity not having
been satisfactory 10 me- as nominating officer
you viii not be ab>Olu ely appointed. and there
fore. in accordance with he terms of your tenn
porary appointment you Will be out of the serv-
civil service rules and regulations. Respect
fully. JOHN H. WISE, Collector
1t having reached the ears of Collector
Wise that the dsm ssed employees proposed
appealing to the Civil Service Commss on
he reviewed his correspondence in relation
to the case and discovered that he had re-
ferred them to a wrong rule and which
did net apply to their cases.
Ubon learning this he addressed a letter
to Appraiser Ralston requesting him to
tba Lott ha bod
Evans Bunker and Sharp by informing
them that his action had been taken under
rule + and not Z.
To this Mr.. Ralston replied that it was
impossible for him to make the corrections
because they were delivered to the gentle
men to whom they were addressed and are
out of his possession.
Mr.. Ralston in discussing the matter
said that Collector Wise has never visited
his office OF made any inquiry regarding
the qualifications of his assistants; that
the changes were made entirely without
his knowledge and after he had recon-
mended the men for permanent employ
meut.
Nj Sharp is a graduate of Harvard Col
lege ana is one of the most thorough and
efficient men in the Appraisers depart
ment. Mr.. Evans is a graduate of the
State University, and has proven himself
fully competent
The dismissed employees have prepared
copies OF the foregoing letters and other
evidence tending to prove that they have
been dismissed without cause, and will
forward them to the Civil Service Commits
sion in few days.
About three years ago Examiners Under
wood and Morris, who have now been re-
appointed by Collector Wise, were re-
moved by Collector Phelps. Underwood
was a Democrat and vas removed 20 make
a place for T. F. Jerome, who had been
n far, hrr oil
Morris was removed because he was un-
able, by reason of private business, to at
tend to his duties. Mr.. Dennison sue
ceeded him.
When Appraiser Ralston was appointed
he asked for the dismissal of Jerome and
DennisOn. which was done. Raymer Sharp
was selected from those who had passed
an examination and appointed examiner
Evans, who had been q sampler for two
years, WIS promoted to be an examiner
and Bunker was appointed sampler In
Evans place. The late appoin.ees are
Republicans and succeeded Republicans.
Collector Wise, when asked for an eX-
PLANTATION Of the charges made, said:
II declined to recommend the permanent
appointment of Messrs. Sharp, Evans and
Bunker for several reasons, and l believe
/ have full power to DO just what l have
done.
Underwood and Morris are old ex-
aminers, and because thew were Demo-
Gratis they were removed by Collector
Phelps. l think il is only right that they
should be reinstated. SHARP and Evans
did not succeed them directly, but as they
are new men and on the probation list |
can remove them. and thus provide places
for Underwood and Morris"
"Mr. Wise, have the conduct and capacity
of MessrS. Sharp, Evans and Bunker been
satisfactory" was asked
"Certainly, and nothing can be said
against them in that respect" replied the
Collector. LAS far as ! know there has
never been a complaint against them.
mo. / did not remove them because OF
dissatisfaction regarding their conduct and
capacity. but because [ wanted the places
for Underw God and Morris, who had been
unfairly removed"
When asked il he had received letter
from Appraiser Ralston concerning the re-
tention of the employees removed, he said
Eyes, | believe there was such a letter re-
ceived, but | did not pay much attention
10 It, l would not pay the slightest atten-
ton to any recommendations Mr.. Ralston
might make in such cases"
Continuing the Collector said: when
Evans was appointed examiner he was
promoted from The position of sampler, but
as his successor has been confirmed it is
not within my power 10 place him in his
old position. He must now step down and
out Of The service.
.'Whv did / remove Sampler Bunker?
just because i had TO make place for
Mr.. Prouse. Mr.. Bunker performed his