The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-30


mission. and that, after examining into
the facts in the case. the President de-
cided that he could much better spare
Mr. Johnston than Ar. Roosevelt and
therefore asked the former FOR his resg-
nation. This. 1t is said. Mr.. Johnston de-
clined % give. and was al once informed
By Nr. Cleveland that either the resisna-
ton must be forthcoming or he would be
dismissed.
The Correspondence.
8ir. Johnston feels that the removal Is
an impatatian upon h.m. especially as 40
further explanation is made. He feels
that il il due 10 himself that the follow
ing correspondence in the matter be made
public.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. Nov. q. 1873.
Hon. George d. Johnston:
Dear Sir.-I am sorry 10 hear through
your friends Senator Caffrey and Mr.
Secretary Herbert. who conveyed % you
my request that YOU acQuiesce in your
transfer from the civil service commission
d another post Of honorable duty. that
you decline the proposition and refuse TO
resign your present position. I am so
certain that the public good requires a
change In the commission, involving your
retirement that I am constrained 10 re-
quest YOU 70 reconsider your decision and
put me IN possession Of your resignation
az early as Monday afternoon the 9th
Instant az 4 o'clock.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
To this Mr.. Johnston replied as follows:
L. :. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
Washington. ID. c., Nov. q. 1926.
The President.
Sir.-Your letter Of the 2sth instant is re-
ceived Senator Canrey and Ar Secretary
Herbert conveyed 10 me your off- Of the
consuiship al Victoria. which meant. OF
course. that you propose 20 retire me from
the civil service commission. You did not
communicate 10 me through these gentle
men your reasons FOR my retirement: nor
have you ever spoken 20 me in regard TO
this or any other matter connected win
the discharge II my duties or relating 10
the commission or its work Though con-
scious Of having discharged the duties or
my Office faithfully. and. as / believe. in
furtherance Of the best interests Of the
people and the government. 1 would
promptly acquiesce in your wish that /
resign had you given me an opportunity
70 be heard before YOU decided upon your
action. Under present circumstar ces. how
ever, ! cannot consistently with my sense
OF duty 20 myself or my friends who re-
commended my appointment. consent
either 10 resign or accept position In
ferior 20 the one l now hold. Respect
fully. GEORGE d. JOHNSTON.
Summsriiy Dismissed.
Upon the receipt Of this reply Mr..
Cleveland sent The following letter OF re-
mOval.
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Washington. Nov. =. lsy3
Hon. George ID. Johnston
SF-Nou are hereby removed from the
Qhce of the United States civil service
dommissi0ner. Yours truly
GROVER CLEVELAND.
hr Johnston acknowledged the letter
~ removal ar follows.
The President.
slr.-Nour note of this date informing NE
that you have removed me from the Office
OF United states civil service commission
90 Is hereby acknowledged. Respect
fully, GEORGE -. JOHNSTON.
Nr. Johnsfon's statement.
"This correspondent states a part Of the
story, said Mr.. Johnston. Il would. how
ever add the following statement. which
viii suffice for the present.
II am lifelong Democrat and have
been tie advocate and friend Of the Presi-
dent, yet he decided upon my retirement
irom the commission without ever giving
me a hearing. / have good reason 10 be-
lieFe that Dc did this upon representations
made % him directly by or through GER
tam kepubiicans. who were interested in
having me out Of the commission The
President made mp his mind and could
have made up his mind only on these ex
parte statements And set be claims I'm
his letter ~ be certain that the public
good rec ired change In the Commis-
.oi iFoiYing ms retirement. Such treat
ment Of any officer of my rank. particu-
larry ~ one belonging 20 his party. Is
anomalous
1T is especially strange treatment OF
one Who, upon the recommendation OF
many eminent and good men. had been
charged with the high and sacred duties
lf civil Service Commissioner I could
not approve the annual report submitted
by my colleagues. and felt IN duty bound
90 state my views in a minority report
While this minority report had no part
IN Influencing the President IN his de-
cision that I should retire from the COM
mission. for be made up his mind 10 do
this before he knew 81 my purpose 10
submit the minority report. 10 may have
preclpiiated his action. as / know he OBJ
lected 20 my making report that VAS
not IN agreement with ny colleagues.
-- tr+'"'-' "+tt AlNt tAlnAF the Principe |
which guided me ia my Official conduct |
a. commissioner. when they see aqd read
nv report which was sent % the Presl- |
Tent with The majority report on the
2st instant"
John Il. Proctor Appointed.
WASHINGTON. =. C.. NOV 2g-Tobn |
Z. Proctor,of Kentucky. has been appoint |
"a civil Service Commissioner 20 succeed |
Johnston. OF Louisiana.
LOUISVILLE. KY. Nov. 29.-Professor
John Z. Proctor, the newly appointed |
neiabeI of the civil service commission
vas born in Mason county. March lC ia |
de was educated az the noted academy a. |
1aysFille ana az hOne, afterwards com |
llelns hls studies az the University OF |
Pennsylvana- he went through the war |
with The Confederate army. In 1873 on /
he organization OF the geological survey.
le was appointed an assistant. and steadl- |
y advanced in position until he Was ap- |
o.ntea chief 0f the department. lnis 1
position he held with great credit until |
mis- year.
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vFarHEE FORECAST.