The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-12
TO REMOVE BRYANT.
Charges Brought Against the
Inspector of Hulls.
ACTION or THE PILOTS HAReoR
Oisevimtnatioe, Malice and General
NaIfeassncs Alleged - Amdavfrs
Coneernlng Specific Acts


United States local inspector OF hulis for
the Seattle district, and his removal from
Office has been asked for by Puget Sound
Harbor. No Is of Masters and Pilots.
Capt. Bryant has held his Office for the
past ten years. having been appointed by
President Arthur, and is not the first local
inspector in this district 10 be complained
OF. as ole of his predecessors was removed
for misconduct in connection with the
hailding of the steamer George +. Starr.
For years it has been a matter Of open
comment that Capt. Bryant was far from
popular with the masters and pilots Of
steamers in his district, and while many
Of his decisions have been appealed from,
many reversed and some sustained. never
before have those under him dared 10
come out ana openly prefer charges and
ask for his removal While individuals
who considered themselves injured have
done all in their power to have him criti-
cised, he has triumphan,ly held the fort
Agains. them. and his authority to ruin
master or pilot. if he chose TO exercise it
unjustly, has kept many mouths shut.
The present attack was precipitased by
the case OF the steamer Utopia. particulars
of which were published several months
ago. and some Of which are enumerated
in the formal charges printed below.
There was hardly . master or pilot on the
Sound but thought Capt. McGregor and
his steamer. the Utopia had been uniustly
treated. and the case caused the shoulder
ing fires of resentment TO burn brighter.
The local organization of masters and
pilots. q branch of the American associa-
ton, which is OF national extent, includes
nearly all the regularly licensed captains
and pilots on the Sound. The harbor
has not only preferred charges, but has
collected afiidavits to prove them, and
has not exhausted its ammunition, as
many specific cases are cited, in support
OF which affidavits can be secured If
necessary.
The resolutions expressing the deter
mination of the harbor to prefer charges
against Capt. Bryant were passed last De-
cember At a regular meeting. While the
affidavits were being collected some of
Capt. Bryant's friends. members of the
harbor. expressed themselves rs of tho
opinion that the resolutions did not ex-
press the sentiments of A majority of the
harbor and desired that a reconsideration
be had. Accordingly, n special meeting
was called a short time ago to give the
friends of Capt. Bryant an opportunity to
muster their strength. The resolutions
were again placed before the meeting, and,
although twenty-seven members we're pres
ent. only two voted against them.
Copies of the resolutions, charges and
affidavits have been sent to Secretary
Carlisle. to James A. Dumont supervising
inspector general, TO John Birmingham,
supervising inspector at San Francisco,
and To Senator Squire and Representatives
Dooiittle and Wilson.
The resolutions and charges are as fol-
lows;
WHEREAS, Capt. w. J. Bryant. United
States local inspector of hulls for the
Seattle district. has become so arbitrary,
unjust and discriminating in the discharge
OF his official duties. thereby making tho
licensing of masters and pilots farce,
and the inspection service subservient TO
his own private interests. that we consider
1t our duty for the commercial interest OF
this district TO do all in our power TO have
him removed from office; il being unsafe
for any individuals to make charges to the
proper authorities against said w. J.
Bryant, as they would thereby become the
recipients OF his unjust and tyrannical
rulings; therefore this harbor. at a regular
meeting ha.d at its hall on the Sd day of
resolutions:
"Resolred, That Puget Sound Harbor.
No. i6 A. A. Of VI. & T., do petition the
proper authorities to remove said W. ].
Bryant from the Office of United States
local inspector of huiis for this district.
aud that We present such evidence as may
be in our power 10 show tina, he is unfit to
hold said office; and be 1t further
'RcsoIred. That copy of these resou-
tions, charges and evidence be forwarded
TO the Hon. James A. Dumont, supervis-
ing inspector general, and To each OF our
senators and representatives, IN congress.
also one TO the supervising inspector of
the first district
The above resolutions being unani-
| mousy adopted We submit the annexed
charges and proofs thereof.
TO the Honorable Secretary of the Treas
,sry. Puget Sound HaTaor. No. Il, A. A.
Of NJ. and T.. having resolved tn petition
your honorable self to remove ". J. Bry-
ant from the office of United States local
inspector OF hui.s for the district of Seat
tie. We beg leave 10 present the following
charges and herewith forward evidence 10
suostsntsie The correctness OF the same
We charge the said W. J. Bryant with
the following:
"first-rhat said w J. Bryant has been
Tor some time past and - now in the
marine insurance and other business in
'cecond-That said ". ]. BRYANT has
! licensed men To act IS masters and pilots
OF steam vessels who have neither the
| necessary ability or experience 10 enable
! them 10 navigate steam vessel with
safety, which IS IN direct violation OF
the Jaw.
Third That said ". !. BRYANT has 70.
! fused To grant ana renew the licenses Of
able men and OF tried experience because
of his personal dislike TO them. and
! furthermore. refused 20 give them safisiac-
terry reasons in writing why be SO refused
! them their license.
fonrth--Fhat said ". ]. Bryaut's AZ.
bitrary and malicious spirit renders him
pu1t 10 hold Pablo Office wherein so
much discretionary power Is vested
"flith-Ihat said ". J. Bryant uses his
Office Tor the parpose OF securing bus. mess
Tor the insurance company which he rep
Eesents
''>:xih-rhat said ". J. BRYANT has
been engaged ia the business OF selling
| lie pTe>e-vers TO steamers and causes
'heu Who refuse 10 bgy his article or in
sure II as company great deal Of annoy
ancr and unnecessary expense
Seyenta-Ihst he recently insDe-ted
aud licensed the steamer UtoTlla 70 pIy be
tween Puget sound aad Alaska port- and
| amer 50 doing circulated the report that
she VAS AZ unsafe vessel and e1desyo-efi
! % Eet the insurance compan.e IS 10 cancel
the1r Tlsks - her cargo. and for no other
A""~u reason than that said vessel vas
insured "a another company. ali of which
as much - sac Geir.ment of the oxusrs
! O. sasI steamer
2 shth-Eha; said ". ] BRYANT never
! PAY any iaye nor tor meals or sertas
~'''e travelling on official business. and
| ~, FtNt4ohers nrmlv be.ieye tina, said
OF AM fA.s'ses his accounts on CO.
ri