Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-15
HIS DISMISSAL DEMANDED.
Collector Townsend Ordered to Dis
miss Deputy Finn Immediately.


The Collector Stands to His Guns and In
forms the Department Mt Washington
That He Very Much Regrets He Can DO
No such Thing--The Letters Form
Spicy Piece of Reading Matter.
The news spread around town early
Thursday that communication had
been received at the custom house that
morning whose contents were oil more
than usual import.
ASKING Films DISMISSAL.
Later it was learned that the contents
of the letter that was received comprised
a percmptory order from tho acting
assistant treasurer of the United States
ordering Collector Townsend 10 lmme-
diately dismiss Deputy Collector Finn.
The official communication, as far as
can be exactly gathered is as follows:
Referring to the department letter of the
18th ult., directing you TO dispense with
the services of William II. Finn, special
deputy collector of your port, otake effect
upon the appointment and qualiilcation
of his successor, you are hereby directed
to dispense with his services Immediately
on the receipt of this communication, ana
to notify the department of your action.
MIR. Finn INTERVIEWED.
"Well, Mr.. Finn" d representative Of
THE GAZETTE said, what are you
going to do. | must ask you, as the
collector refuses to talk"
81 am not going TO resign" Deputy
Finn replied; "nor shall l If the col
lector asks me. Besides, he has not
asked me. l tell you what, am going
to wait until they put me out. | want
to know why am asked to resign.
"My position is that no one but the
collector has the right to dismiss me, as
l hold two private commissions from
him. expect when he dismisses me |
shall know why all this is done"
As stated the collector declined TO say
anything personally on the matter. 1t
was gathered however that he bns not
| changed his former position and has no
intention whatever of doing so, but
| straightly declines to accede TO the de-
| mands of the communications from
| Washington.
| Later, In conversation with the deputy
collector the nature Of the collectors
| position was defined in the following,
| which is the letter sent from here on
Thursday to the acting secretary of the
treasury:
/ HE STANDS TO HIS GUNS.
Referring to your letters of the 10Th
ult. and It'll inst, directing me to dis.
pense with the services OF William X.
Finn, special deputy collector, have the
honor to shy that upon my appointment
to the office of collector of customs upon
the expiration OF the term of my pre-.
decessor, under authority vested in me by
sections 263O3l. Revised Statutes, and as
interpreted by article 1888, Customs Regu-
lations of 1892, requiring the collectors To
| office under his own hand and seal with
the approval of the Secretary Of the Treas.
ury, special deputy. to act in the name
and full authority of the principal
during his absence or disability, ] ap
pointed Mr.. Finn, who was my per
sonal choice with the full consent of my
bondsmen. and he has filled the office CON
scientiously, honestly and to my entire
satisfaction, and SO far as / know, to the
satisfaction of the department.
Lam therefore compelled to decline tC
appoint man to that position of trus
who is not of my personal choice or who
is unknown to me.
CASE IN POINT.
George Finck, a Democratic deputy
collector under Collector Barlow wai
discharged from the custom house undeI
peremptory order from the Secretary
of the Treasury under the late Harrison
administration.
The official words were: "You will
dispense with the services of Mr.. Fincl
Immediately" This was done and Pete
B. Ayars took his place under nomi
I N