The morning call., 1893-12-06
New Federal Officials Are
Besieged.
WISE SHORT OF PLACES.
Sam Ruddell's Friends Make a
Vigorous Fight.
WELBURN FIXING HIS SLATE.
Many Changes Soon to Be Made.
Applicants Given Only an
Hour Day.

1t might be supposed that with Internal
Revenue Collector Welburn just installed
in office. and with William ID. English to
take Cffice as Surveyor of the Port with in
a month. Collector Wise would be left In
peace by the ofice-seekers. Such. how
ever. is not the case, and the crowd OF
workers for the party" good Demo-
Gratis all, the political unemployed. still
throng the antero0ms of the Collectors
office and for one hour a day. between
noon and O'Clock. make his life burden.
Internal Revenue Collector Welburn is
equally besieged and has adopted the rule
OF Collector Wise, namely. only one hour
day shall be devoted by him to people
who want positions. The sixty minutes
set apart have so far been the heaviest
hour in Mr.. Welburn's day, ami he
has found that it is utterly impossible
for him TO hear more than one
or two people during that time. When a
man who wants a position begins to expa-
tlate upon his fitness for the place desired,
his Service to the Democracy and the
value which he would be to the country at
large should he receive the appointment.
1t generally takes him at least half an
hour to uDburdeu himself. In the mean
time the crowd outside, every member of
which has story to tell, wakes impatient,
and curses not loud but deep are hurled
at the fortunate men who have gained an
audience. BY and by, when it is an
nonnced that the hour for hearing the
claims of applicants has passed and those
In waiting will have to call again, the sup
pressed profanity finds an outlet in
speech and the atmosphere of the corridors
OF the Government buildings becomes sur
charged.
William D. English has been visiting his
predecessors in office ever since his ap-
polntm 10 the surveyorship. evidently
hoping TO profit by their experience in
dealing with the place-seekers, but, judg-
Ing from his comments yesterday, he has
about concluded that the only way to
torily to both himself. the Government
and the people is to occupy a freproof
vault with time lock.
There is only one position in the gift OF
MIR. English in his capacity of Surveyor.
the filling of which greatly interests people
outside OF The place-seeKers themselves.
and that Is the Deputy Surveyor of the
Port. In the filling of this position the
Collector Of the Port, the Appraiser, every
custom-house broker on the floor, aud in
fact all people who have to do with the
customs service in any of its branches, are
greatly interested. For the place there
are only two candidates = both Demo-
Ss
Ruddell, tie incum bent, aud Andrew j.
Clunie. brother of eX-Congressman
Thomas j. Cl unle.
The Surveyors office and that of the
Collector are closely allied, and the Deputy
Surveyor is in reality the executive officer
Of both the Surveyor aud the Collector.
Upon his shoulders rests not only the
of the clerical work per-
tanning 10 the Office of the Surveyor but he
must deal with all the customs brokers
and keep a sharp lookout for smugglers.
Deputy Surveyor Ruddell has been more
than fortunate since he took the place
which he now fills. Having entered the
customs service as an Inspector, he has
risen through the various grades to his
present position. Collector Wise, Ap-
praiser Tucker and the Custom house
brokers are openly in favor of his reten-
tion in the place.
"You say for me-" said Collector Wise
yesterday, that not In twenty years have
the Surveyors and the Collectors Offices
worked in harmony as they are working
now. l say this because I.would like to see
Ruddell retained in his place. While hav-
ing no voice in the matter and no sugges-
ti0ns to offer will saw this. no man, and l
do not care who he is, unless he be thor
ougly acquainted with the customs SER
vice, can fill the position of Deputy Sur
vsyor nf the port satisfactorily inside of
year. Ruddell has proved himself to be
an honest, efficient man; one who has been
of great service 10 this department, and l
should be very soiry to see him leave"
Il heartily lndOrse all the Collector has
said" was the remark of Appraiser Tuck
eT. who was present at the time. What
little Information or dealings With the Sur |
veyor'S department we have had over in |
nv department leads ME 10 favor Ruddell."
The customs brokers are working hard |
for Ruddell as well, and will leave moth
ins undone to help him. Paris kiIburn. |
the retiring Surveyor of the Port, said: II
selected Ruddell because / considered him |
the best man in the customs service for |
the place, and the six months during |
which he mas been at work only confirms |
my good opinion of him."
Surveyor English has nothing TO say in |
regard 10 the matter. Clunis's friends |
urge hat he would make an ideal deputy |
despite the fact that he knows nothing |
about the customs service practically |
speaking. And so the fight goes on. 1t is |
the one contest for place and preferment
that IS Of general interest TO the public in |
the Federal departments just now, and |
both Ruddell and Clunie'5 friends claim TO i
have il won.
Collector Wise has only few plums |
hanging on the branches OF his political
tree which remain Ia be picked. There are |
ruinored removals. but If such be his in
tention tue Collector has undoubtedly al |
ready selected the successors of the men
whom he proposes to ask 10 step down
aud out.
Internal Revenue Collector Welburn
Will make number of appointments dur
ing the present month, all 10 take effect
January ]. 1894, but applicants are vast
ing time In trying 10 talk to him person
ahy. Applications ipdorsed by the leaders
OF the State and county Democracy are
alone considered. and where there are two
or more for the same place equally well
recommended he makes his selection re-
gardless of interviews.
There will be another month of it."
said an old EN- ploye Yesterday as he pointed
10 The applicants for office filing out of the
Custom-honse and Appraisers building.
and then business will begin TO be bust