New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-30
MR.. JOHNSTON DISMISSED.
REMOVED AS CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSIONER.
HE REFUSED TO RESIGN WHEN ASKED TO DO sc
by THE PRESIDENT-THE CORRESPONDENCE
AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS STATE
MENT-JoIrN r. PROCTOR AP-
POINTED TO THE PLACE.

POINTED 10 THE PIhIf.
Washington, Nov. 29-The President has ap-
pointed John r. Proctor. of Kentucky civil Service
commissioner in place OF George d. Johnston
removed
1t has been known for long time that Mr. john
ston's relations with the other two members OF the
Commission have been strained. put the Uoupie
between them seems to have eliminated over 'he
annual report recently made to the President by the
Commission 1t Is said that Mr.. Roosevelt made
the direct issue with the President, and stated
frankly and positively that either he or Mr.. john
ston must leave the Commission, and that after
examining into the facts In the case the fresident
decided that he could much better spare MT John-
ston than Mr.. Roosevelt. and therefore asked the
former for his resignation. This Mr.. Johnston
declined 10 give and was at Informed by
Mr. Cleveland that either the resignation must De
forthcoming he would be dismissed
Mr. Johnston feels that the removal is an I'M
putation upon him. especially as no further ex-
plonaton is made. He thinks 1t Is due TO hmset
that the following correspondence in the matter
be made public:
Executive Mansion. Nov o. 1888.
Hon George D. Johnston 49,, A, ,,orr
friends. senator Caffery and Mr.. Secretary Herbert
who conveyed to you my request mat you acquisce
sion 10 another post OF honorable duty that you
decline the proposition and refuse TO resign ypup
GOOD REQUIRES a change in the Commission nvolv-
Ing your retirement that am constr'.nsu 10 ne
in possession OF your resignation as cary as Mon
day afternoon. the eth instant at 1H1SK
very truly rf'oN EN- ''''' '
To this Mr. Johnston replied follows:
United States Civil Service comms sion
Washington. ID. G.. Nov. "a 1888
senator Carery and Mr. Secretary Herbert con-
vevel TO me your offer OF the Consulship at We.
~ va r,ire me from the Civil Service Commission
10
you ever p,sr Connected with the discharge OF my
S,' nr relating to the Commission or its work
Tbourh conscious OF having discharged the duties
o. my o ~ the best interests OF the people and the
G"yernment would promptly acquiesce IN your
NJ g.. heard before YOU decided upon your action
Under present circumstances. h0weV,r' oao or
consistently my sense Of duty to mySsn OF
INV friends who recommended my APPOINTMENT arnr
consent either to resign or aeeept, a po''''o" '
to the one no" 'o'' GEokGE II. JOHNSTON.
r.pon the receipt OF this reply Mr.. Cleveland sent
the following letter OF removal.
Executive Mansion Washington Nov. Is, 1885,
Hon George D. Johnston. m. -,
Sir. You are hereby removed from the office OF
IN, GROVER CLEVELAND
..rhts corresnondence states part Of the story,
sotd Mr. Johnston II would. however. add the fol-
lowing statement which will suffice for the pres
ent:
Il am n lifelong Democrat. and have been the
advocate and friend or the fresiueh'' YET Nv w
c,1ed upon my retirement from the Commission
,,hout even giving me a hearing have good reason
TO believe that he did this upon representations
made to him directly by or through certain RepuD1,
IIcans who were Interested In having me OUT OF
The commission The President made up his mind
and could have made up his mind, only on th3se
ex-narte statements. And yet he claims IN ms
letter 10 be certain that the public good required
a change in the Commission involving my retire
mont Such treatment OF any oIrcer OF my rank.
particularly OF one belonging to his party - anoma-
loms IL is especially strange treatment OF one
Who upon the recommendation OF many etninent
and good men. has been charged with the hgh ana
sacred duties OF civil Service Commissioners. l
could not approve the annual report submitted py
INV coea g,ies and felt I'm duty bound 10 state my
,',.ews I'm "a minority report While this minority re-
nort had no part in Influencing the President In his
decision that should retire from the Commission.
for ne made UP his mind TO this before ne knew
of my purpose To submit the minority report, II
mas" have nreclpitated his action. ! know that
he objected to my making report that was m9t III
agreement with my colleagues. The pubic VIII an
urrcatc the principle which guided me III my ON,
clal conduct as Commissioner whcn they SEE. anu ana
road INV report. which sent To the PRESIDENT
with the ma iority report on the 2lst INST