The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-12
THE PUBLIC PAP.
Municipal and Federal
Patronage.
MAX Pepper INVESTIGATES
Changes Expected in the Customs
Candidates for Position
of immigration Commissioner.

The various Democratic heads of de-
partments at the new City Hall wore an
anxious look when they arrived at their
offices yesterday morning.
They had been warned of and expected
a visit from the committee appointed by
the executive committee of the Democratic
County Committee to investigate the re-
tention in fat positions OF members OF the
Republican party. Ii the heads OF depart
ments were disconnected at the expected
visit. the various deputies and clerks
affected by the manifesto OF the Demo-
cratic committee were in state of trepida-
ton. Still they relied upon the firmness
of their chiefs for the retention Of their
places.
The committee so terrible co the Repub-
lican clerks duly appeared on the scene.
1t consisted Of Max Pepper and A. A.
Watkins of tho famous defunct advisory
board, which was responsible for some OF
the Republicans being appointed to Demo-
cratic places.
Superintendent of Streets Ackerson
Was the first official visited by the political
investigators. Their stay did not last more
than three minutes. Max Pepper pulled
ont Of his capacious vest pocket long
paper and read off three names. telling
AckersOn that they were those OF men
supposed to be Republicans, and asking
why they were retained IN Office. Acker;
son called two of the men named, and
proved to Max Peppers satisfaction that
they were Democrats.
''As to the third man." said Ackerson,
II admit that he is Republican. His
name is Tom Croke; but he is an Inval-
liable man to me on account OF his ac-
curate technical knowledge of streets,
sewers. cements, grades and street ma
terial. / cannot let him go"
Committeeman Watkins and Pepper
thereupon departed ana entered the
Auditors office. Auditor Broderick was
asked If he had man named Elliott. a
Republican. in the office. and negative
reply was given. Elliott was one month
in the Office. but was discharged.
County Clerk Haley was next called on.
The efforts of Messrs. Pepper and Wat
kins were directed toward convincing Mr..
Haley that he should not retain in Office
Deputy William Heney. The County
Clerk protested on his part that Mr.. Heney
was Democrat and claimed that he was
an invaluable man on account of his
knowledge OF the details of the office.
County Clerk Haley also dextrously re-
minded the committee that the advisory
board. of which Mr.. Watkins had been
mem Der, had palmed off on him four Re
publicans on political contracts. Although
Haley had taken the medicine at the time
he soon rid himself of the Republicans,
on the ground OF cutting down expenses
to keep within the $4,000 limit. The clerk
anxious to get rid of all Republicans
where Democrats had control good field
was open for them in the Fire Department.
Recorder McGlynn was not In when
Max Pepper entered the Hall nf Records.
Max Pepper inquired Of Chief Deputy Nc
Glnnis If several men whom he named
were not Republicans.
The chief deputy could not answer the
question as he said he never became so
personal as to inquire mans politics.
One of the men who it Is claimed is q Re-
publican is copylst named Kronbsrg.
Tax Collector Block acknowledged that
he had several Republicans in his office,
and that he proposed to keep them. One
of these Republicans In named Enkel, and
be has been in the office for sixteen years.
Sheriff McDade did not hesitate to ac-
knowledge that he had several Republi.
cans in his Office. but stated that he could
not avoid keeping them owing to strong
obligations Of personal nature entirely
outside Of politics. Deputy Simon, who
has been in the SherItf's Office for years.
continuing there under Sheriff LaumeiSter,
and who was reported to be RepI blican,
proved to Max Pepper that he was Dem
ocrat.
Max Pepper will present report Of the
visit of MIR. Watkins and himself to the
executive committee of the general CON-
mittee at its next meeting. 1t will consist
of plain statement of the facts as be
gathered them at the City Hall.
Collector of Customs John 81. Wise does
not find 1t very easy task to remove
Republicans from the service, although
there are eager Democrats waiting for their
places. Civil service rules must apply !;
that is, after fashion. and if. as he says,
he does not propose to remove a SUBJ
ordinate in such way as would reflect
upon the mans character, it looks as il he
would have to exercise some ingenuity
above the common.
But that he contemplates making room
for his political friends, If possible, is in
dictated by a rather jocular remark which
he made TO representative of The CALL
not over three days ago. The remark ap-
piled to possible prospect OF another
batch of removals and appointments.
There are two vacancies to be filed in the
department of Surveyor Paris Kilburn,
but under the rules the appointses must
| either be promotions Or come from the list
OF elieibles. The two vacancies were
caused by the promotion of Mr.. Bea1e
from boarding-master to storekeeper and
the removal of Inspector Harding.
An Office to which there are several as
pirants is that Of Robert c. Mcpherson.
United States Commissioner of Immipra-
ton. This position is an appoin :ment of
the Secretary of the Treasury. and its
salary is $500 per annum. Mr.. McPher-
son has held down the Office now for abont
two years. lie was appointed by Secre-
tary Foster upon the recommendation of
Senator FELTON,.
So far three candidates at least have an
peared for this billet. Edward j. Coifev
of the Mission Journal is one, an attorney
named John Wall has sent in an applica-
tion, and the third candidate is w. P.