Evening journal., 1894-02-19
COMEGYS AND CALLAHAN
Conferences With Senator
Gray This Afternoon.
ooMEeYs HAD THE FIRST INNING


at Later Hour-It is Understood That
the Senator WIN Approve the Nomi-
nation of Comegys BY Collector Town
send.
Senator Gray reached this city from
Washington at about noon. Shertly
after his arrival w. Alexander Comegys,
the St. Georges hundred Democrat whom
Collector OF the Port Townsend has
nominated to succeed Deputy Collector
Finn, and Edwin r. Cochran, Jr., called
upon him. The principal topic
of conversation was the advisa-
bility of Mr.. Comegys accepting
| the office at the hands of Re.
| publican collector who wants TO shut out
| John f. Callahan, the Democratic nom
inee of Senator Gray. Collector Town
send has said that Mr. Callahan shall not
have the place. He cannot get 1t with
out the collectors approval or removal,
as the deputy is commissioned under the
hand and seal of the collector.
| An EVENING JOURNAL reporter spoke
to Mr. Comegys this afternoon and asked
him If there was anything new in the
situation. He replied negatively, saying
that lie only sent in his application on
Saturday through Collector Townsend
He had heard nothing Of its confirmation
or rsjection-in In fact, didn't expect to
so soon.
A friend Of Mr.. Comegys, replying to a
criticism upon him for entering the fight,
said this afternoon:
"Alex has not acted dishonorably In
the matter. Nearly a month ago Col
1 H. kn
hopelessness of Films retention In
office. called upon Alex and offered him
the place Alex did not Jump into the
fight, but hung Of waiting for anything
which might work TO the benefit Of Mr.
Callahan. LAST week the collector called
upon him again and urged him to accept
the appointment. He told Alex that he
would never appoint Callahan, and that
there were a number Of Democrats who
had asked for the place. He preferred
Alex, but if he wouldn't accept
it was his intention to name
some other Democrat Of his owr
choica. Under these conditions Ale1
consented to allow his name to bt
used At the same time he wrote let
ter to Senator Gray explaining the cir
cumstances which led him to take the
steps at Collector Townsend's instance
and asking Mr.. Gray, II 1t were agreeable
TO him, to let him know. Mr.. Gray re-
Piled that he would see him here OF
Monday. don't think anyone cau criti-
else him for his action. II was Comegyl
or someone else other than Callahan"
Chairman Willard Salisbury, Jr., .
the Democratic County Executive Com
mittee does not look upon the mattel
, with so favorable an eye.
, Il think that it Is q very great oHtrag
l that Mr.. Comegys or any Democra
| should Slace Mr.. Gray in an embarrassing
I position by applying for appointment
4 through Collector Townsend, T.
the vacancy in the collectors Office a
3 | Wilmington for which Mr. Ora,
! and practically all the Democrat
} in this community have recommends
= Mr.. Callahan" he said this afternoon
I at is simply assisting holding-over Re
/ publican officials IN embarrassing Demo
\ Gratis and the Democratic administration
! think that the thanks of the Democrat
I Of this community are due to Mr. Tow1
4 send, the collector. for 80 thorough
q demonstrating the necessity of removin
\ all holding over Republican officials, fo
II, under this Democratic administration
a Republican hold-Overs are TO name th
s Democrats who are to have place, l shal
like the gentleman from Georgia, be d.
lighted to know where we are at.
$50 far as Mr.. Townsend is PERSONAL
concerned think he is one of the lea'
i Objectionable Of the hold overs; but h
has clearly demonstrated that reform, I
4 be in the slightest degree effective mui
o begin at the top and not at the bottol
, or sides. 1t is well known that my vie
/: has been that the heads Of the depart
n ments should be frst removed, and thu
Is they could attend to their subordinate
d l cant imagine that Senator Gray wi
permit the confirmation Of any appoint
IS ment as deputy which Townsend, und'
is the circumstances, should make"
d. II is understood that Senator Gray HI
le decided to approve the nomination
q. Mr. Comegys now in the Treasury ID
AZ partment He is attributed with haviI
re said that Mr.. Callahan assured him tn
ye il he would have Finn dismissed
). could get the place from Collect
n. Townsend. The Senator succeeded
NJ the removal but Mr.. Callahan was unab
re to get Townsend's endorsement.
be This afternoon a delegation of NJ
an Callahan's friends called on Senat
ca Gray and had a short conference wi