The morning call., 1893-04-16


WE W George d. Wise of Vir-
J. H Wise. ginia. who was among
the very few Democrats Of that State who
supported Cleveland foT the Presidential
nomination. Besides this, John II. Wise
and Gresham are schoolboy friends. Wise
calls him walt" and Walt calls him
John" When this was discovered the
California delegation gave its Endorsement
of Wise for the position, otherwise Pond
might have been appointed. Wise is highly
esteemed by od-time friends in Washing
ton, and among the Californians now here
his selection is commended.
Wise went to the White House at 10
o'clock this morning and said: "Well. Mr..
President, am going back to San Fran
cisco and l thought that before leaving l
would call and pay my respects"
After few words of pleasantly Presi-
dent Cleveland said: Il am going to send in
your name as Collector Of the Port of San
Francisco this morning."
Mr. Cleveland then took Wise by the hand
and said. Il hope to hear good account of
your conduct Of this important office"
Mr.. Wise was very much surprised He
had talked with Representative Mcguire,
who with Caminetti. had been informed
by Cleveland that Phelps would probably
be allowed to serve until January next. in
order to complete the four years term dat
ing from the issue of his commission. In
deed, Mr.. Wise had himself been given to
understand by the President that o change
would be made in the Office at this time.
Wise had therefore decided to return to San
Frauciscc. When informed by the Presi-
dent that his appointment would go in to-
day, he said:
''Mr. President. you will have no cause
to regret having appointed me-"
There Is an interesting story in connec-
tiou with the Presidents change of mind
concerning Phelps term of office. Phelps
removal at this time is due to Logan Car
Isle, the Seere;ary's son. He is chief
clerk of the Treasury Department and is
very bright and capable young man. He
relieves his father of much work of a rOu-
tine character. Several days ago there
came an official communication to the
Treasury Department from Timothy Guy
Phelps and this was handled by young Mr..
Carlisle. Collector Phelps notified the de-
partment of some promotions he had made
in the classified list of employees under him.
he also sent in a list of appointments to
the classified service. Knowing that Phelps
would not have much longer to serve, Chief
Clerk Carlisle thought he would do a clever
thing by calling his fathers attention 10
Phelps appointment of Republican sub
ordinates so soon before turning the Office
over to a Democrat C successor.
All appointments made by the Collectors
must be confirmed by the Secretary of the
Treasury. and young Carlisle called his
fathers attention to Phelps civil service
promotions and appointments. The chief
clerk suggested to Secretary Carlisle that
the confirmation nf the appointments be
deferred until a Democrat was appointed
Collector.
Secretary Carlisle protested that this
would not do, as the appolntees must be
confirmed and put to work In order that the
service might not suffer. The Secretary
asked how many months would intervene
before Phelps term would expire, and at
the same time took from his pocket small
book. in which is recorded the date OF
appointment and confirmation of all treas
ury officers He found that if Phelps was TO
serve four years from the date of his COM
mission his term of office would not expire
before January next. but if he was to serve
four years from his appointment his term
expired on the 9th OF this month.
Secretary Carlisle. whose attention had
not been called to this matter before, argued
that ii was the intention of Congress that
each appointee should years
only, and that Phelps term ououid be held
10 have commenced at the time of his ap-
Dointment, and not at the time OF his con-
frmatOn. which occurred about nine
months later. The Secretary then went 10
see President Cleveland, and convinced
him that this was the right view TO take OF
these appointments, and that no man should
be allowed to serve more than four years
from the time Of his actual assumption OF
the duties of Office.
fu fo frts rDt.
was removed because Representative Ma
Ruire filed charges against him for alleged
violation OF the civil service regulations.
When Maguire called at the White House a
few days ago he said 10 the President: 81
would like to know whether Collector
Phelps term is to expire at once or whether
II is the intention to retain him in Office
until next January. If the latter is intended
wish 10 file some cha rges against him for
violation of the civil service rules"
Cleveland informed Mcguire and Cami-
netti that Phelps would probably be
allowed to serve until January.
Mcguire left for San Francisco last night
and it is surmised that before he left he
flied his charges against Phelps. The
Treasury Department officials would say
nothing about this to-day, however. and it
is certain that Secretary Carlisle knew
The CALL correspondent has the word of
his son Logan for this statement, who saws
that Wise was appointed to-day merely
because Phelps term was, after investiga-
tion by Secretary Carlisle, found To have
already expired. Young Carlisle was not
able to say whether this rule regarding
terms of Office would prevail and whether
John c. Quinn's successor as Internal Reye-
nue. Cailector would be appointed imme
diately. but he said. significantly: Il know
what / would do, however, had l the
authority. would hold that no appointee
should serve more than four years from the
time of his nomination; that's Democracy"
II Is believed that President Cleyeland's s
action in the Phelps case will form pre-
cedent which will govern other cases. John
c. Quinn's appointment was not confirmed
for many months hfter 1t was made. After
his con frmation. his commission issued for
the term prescribed by law. which is
four years. 1t has been generally believed
heretofore that his successor would not be
named for eight or nine months yet, but II
the action in the Phelps case is to govern.
his successor may be appointed Immediately.
There seems to be no doubt that Olin Well
born OF Gilroy VIII get this Office.
1t is understood that Wise is not very well
pleased with Phelps promotions and ap-
polnrments in the classified service. and