The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-10
ALL co OUT But TWO.
Collector BeCkwith Takes Charge Of
the Custom House.

The New Force Sworn in-Marine
Clerk Coburn Refuses to Resign and
Is Suspended From Ofice-Deputy
Collector Johnson and Fireman
John Bright Retained-The Retiring
! Ofioials-Colleotor Beckwith Re-
ceives Many Congratulations.
The custom house is now filled with
| democrats. The change took place yes
terday morning between 10 and II o'clock.
At 10 o'clock the present collector, Mir. ].
/ +. b. Beckwith entered the custom house
with his commission in his pocket.
He found the now ex-collector, Mr..
! Tomlinson f. Johnson awaiting
him at his office. They greeted each
other cordially. Mr.. Beckwith exhibited
mis- commission as collector and presented
an order from the Secretary of the Treas
ury directing Mr.. johnson to turn over
his Office to his successor.
COLLECTOR JOHNSON STEPS OUT.
The formalities of the exchange of au-
! thority were soon completed and ex-Col-
| lector Johnson retired, leaving Collector
Beckwith in possession. Mr.. John
| son carried with him the three
| framed commissions which have
/ hung upon the walls of his
/ Office for so many years from three Presi-
/ dents. Their place will sOou be occupied
| by the commission of Mr.. Beckwith,
/ which is headed with the name of Grover
| Cleveland in big letters.
The first matter to which the new col
| lectOr gave his attention was the secur-
ing of the designations of his predeces-
sor's assistants. Letters were addressed
| to each one Of them, except Deputy Col
lector Johnson, politely requesting their
resignation. The form Of the request was
as follows:
Savannah, Ca. Feb. 9, 1s94.-Mr. -:
| My Dear Sir-I shall be very glad If you will
| do me the kindness to hand me your resigna-
tion Immediately upon the receipt Of this
! note l wish you success in whatever line
| you may pursue in the future. Very respect
| fully yours, j. +. B. BECKwITH,
| Collector Customs District OF Savannah.
Most of the designations had already
been prepared and were soon lying upon
Collector Beckwith's desk.
REFUSED TO RESIGN.
Mr.. NJ. D. Coburn. marine clerk, was the
! only exception. AS soon as he received Col
| lector Beckwith's request he went to the
| collectors office and announced that he
could not comply with the request.
There are no charges against me, :"
said Mr. Coburn, land propose to make
a test case"
81 am very sorry that you have forced
| this necessity upon me, Mr.. Coburn, -
Mr.. Beckwith replied. ~ shall be forced
| to suspend you until the matter can be
settled at Washington"
Mr.. Coburn returned to his desk where
he shortly afterward received the follow
ing note from the collector:
ONCE Of the Collector of Customs, Port OF
Savannah, Ca, Feb 8, 1s94-Mr. NJ. d. Co
| burn, Marine Clerk: Dear Sir-Having re-
fused to resign, you are hereby suspended
| Yours truly, J. f. b. BECKWITH
Collector of Customs, Port Of Savannah.
This Mr.. Coburn accepted as sufficient,
and prepared to turn over the books and
papers of his department to his success
sors.
The designations having been received.
Collector Beckwith proceeded to swear
in his appointees.
THE NEW APPoINTEEs.
The appointees are Henry Green, audi
ting clerk; L. Floyd Owens, marine clerk ;
Harry Haslam, entry clerk, Thomas II.
Laird, boarding officer; Michael j. Bar
rett and j. L. Neidlinger, inspectors
George Blake, ST., messenger Charles
Welte, janitor; A. B. Miller, night watch
man.
Deputy Collector johnson, being hold
over, did not have to take the oath. The
new servants of Uncle Sam swore to sup
port the constitution of the United States
at all times and under all circumstances
and to perform the duties of their posi-
tions faithfully and to the best of their
ability. After being sworn in they were
shown to their desks by the deputy col
lectOr.
The retiring officials were very courte-
Gus and obliging in explaining to their
successors the workings of their depart
ments. Their courtesy was appreciated
by Collector Beckwith, and he so ex-
pressed himself.
TO MAKE A TEST CASE.
The names of the appointees and their
Oaths of office were forwarded to Wash
ington last night to be approved by the
Secretary of the Treasury before the APP
pointments are permanent.
1t is here that Mr.. Coburn will make
his fight for the retention of his
office. 1t is understood that he
is acting under legal advice.
In speaking Of the matter Collector Beck
with said that he was sorry that he had
been placed in the position of attempting
to force Mr.. Coburn out of Office
81 consider that / have ample prece-
dent, he said. The prerogative Of the
collector to name his own assistants has
never been contested that l know of.
Even in cases where one republican col
lector succeeded another it has been Gus
tomary for the incoming collector to
make changes at will. Mr. Coburn
| has served out his full term
and | do not see what claim he has upon
his position more than his associates who
have handed in their designations"
Mr. Coburn held position in the post
Office under Postmaster Lamar during Mr..
! Clevelands previous administration. He
was appointed to the custom house by
Capt, Wheaton and later on by Mr.. John
son.
THE RETIRING COLLECTOR.
! Collector johnson retires from Office
with the esteem and goodwill of the com
munity. He is personally very popular in
| Savannah, and his administration of his
! Office has been thoroughly salts
| factory TO the business public. He
has engaged in the brokerage business
in which his many friends wish him the
! greatest success.
The retirement OF Capt John Riley.
| boarding Oificer, causes general regret.
! Capt Riley has held his Office for twenty
! years, having been retained by Can't.
! Wheaton, under Mr.. Cleyelaud's first adj
ministration A petition for Capt. Riley's
retention was largely signed by the mem
| Oers Of the board OF trade and the cotton
! c-change and merchants on the Bay. His
! successor, Capt. Laird, is very popular
/ gentleman aud thoroughly equipped for
/ the duties Of his Office, having long ex.
! pericnce aud being thoroughly acquainted
| with the work hC is 10 perform
Collector Hggkpylfn has IA trn sft r1lra fd