The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-25
THE FEDERAL ARMY.
Civil Service Rules May Weaken
Hugh Wallace's Power.
THE GUSHING OF jim DORSEY.


Poar TcvrsxyD, Nov. A-fSpeciaf. T.
The extension Of the civil service reguls-
tons over the Puget sound customs dis
trict took Collector Of Customs Saunders
somewhat nnawares. The president
signed the order on November 4 and .
recent opinion from the treasury depart
mens decided that the law went into effect
the momeat the executive attached his
signature. Under that ruling. and In &C.
eordance With the provisions of the order,
of which no advance intimation had been
received at the customs house. ali the
subordinate officers In the service, above
the rank Of janitors or laborers. are pro-
tected from the remotest possibility OF the
collector calling for their designations on
account of offensive craftsmanship. This
dispenses with the possibility OF Deputy
Collector House resigning, In which latter
event Frank Sullivan, young newspnpsr
man who presumed 20 be the protege of a
prominent Seattle Democrat says be had
the collectors assurances that he was to
have the vacant Office, with an annual
salary OF 81 600 attached. 1t was also in
tended by the collector that Mr.. Gaines,
of Missouri, q relation of Hugh WaiIace's,
was TO get the same appointment, but the
recent civil service extension has unwit-
tlngiy caused Mr.. Saunders 10 prove IN
faithful to the rainbow chaser" 1t is
said here that the collector 10 not much
concerned about Mr.. Sullivan's disappoint-
ment, but that he dislikes the idea of
causing Mr.. Wellacs's Missouri relative
any embarrassment
On account of the natural and peculiar
arrangement now existing between the
custom house people and the adherents of
Judge Kuhn and Harry Tibbals, occa-
stoned by the recent election, q controversy
in which the Federal employ es were d.
viced, it was generally believed that the
designations Of several officers would be
requested. In fact one of the collectors
friends. ii is said, had offered one or two
appointments TO "cuckoo" adherents in
this city. which was to have taken effect
about January l. The new order has
played havoc generally with the plans, for
the reason that the collector is now unable
TO demand the resignation of or remove
any officer OF the service. unless for such
cause as will be approved by the civil serv-
ice commission, and in that event the
successful aspirants must be chosen by
competitive examination.
Ii is understood here that James Dorsey.
ucpUAS EolAcCslr Oh CUSTOMS at kcOm&, In
obedience 10 Mr.. Saunders request, sent
in his resignation several weeks ago. The
unpleasant predicament now arises as TO
how ]. Tenant Steeb, Mr.. Saunders
friend, can be given the appointment with
out undergoing competitive examination.
In the latter event some other bright
young man might undergo q successful
examination and thereby defeat Mr..
Saunders object Since the mantle of
civil service protection has fallen over the
officers Mr.. Dorsey, it is said, has re-
pented, and wis hes to withdraw his resig-
nation. He and the collector of customs,
Special Agent Cullom and the latters as
sistant. b. #. Jossey, who wants to sue
coed Dorsey, had a long consultation last
night. 1t leaked out today that
Dorsey wants to retain his posi-
ton. and has at his back Hugh Wallace.
On the other hand, equally ns good author
ity says that an intimation from O cabinet
officer in response TO request OF Speaker
Crisp. has been received by Mr.. Saunders
asking him to provide a place at a good
salary for Mr.. Josssy. The unfortunate
Intervention OF the civil service rules is
likely TO cause a barrier to arise between
Saunders and Wallace. The collector is
unable TO obey the dictates of two bosses.
1t Is stated this afternoon that Mr.. Dor
sey's position will.become vacant January
/ Already fight has been commenced
against Mr.. Steeb on account of his active
connection with the shipping business.