The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-11
IN FEAR OF THEIR HEADS,
Many Federal Officials Trem-
bling Over Coming IN
vestigations.
THE REPUBLICANS MUST 60.
All Principal Offices VIII Be Filled
by Democrats Before Next
Election.
THE REPUBLICANS MUST 90.

Troublous times have struck the Federal
buildings and many of the officials are
trembling in their shoes. Many of the
old timers, who have been living for years
on Federal pap, are to be "let out" and
young men and stanch Democrats put in
their places. True, some OF the men who
are said to be slated for retirement are
Democrats, but nevertheless they are not
acceptable to the powers that be and a
change is considered advisable.
From all accounts Senator White has
quite big finger in the political pie, and
if any changes are made he will have con-
siderable say as to who will be the lucky
successors.
The officers slated for investigation are
United States Inspector of Hulls E. S. Tai
bot, United States Inspector of Boilers w.
A. Phillips, United States Supervising In
spector of Steam Vessels John Berming-
ham, Superintendent of the Railway Mail
Service Samuel Flint and Deputy Surveyor
of the Port s. ]. Ruddell.
Talbot, Phillips and Birmingham are
said to be in trouble over the Colima in
quiry, and special agent OF the treasury
is now on the way here to look into the
matter. The inquiry into the collision be-
be held the latter part of this week and some
one from Special Agent Moore's Office will
closely watch the proceedings. Several
shippers and engineers are after both Tai
bots and Phillips positions, and should
they be declared vacant there will be a
lively scra1n bic tor the places.
Captain John Birmingham is not at all
enamored with his position as Supervising
Inspector. Should he step down and out
tomorrow the chances are that his sue
cessor would be John K. Bulger, at present
Assistant United States Inspector of Boil
ers. He is thoroughly competent, well
liked, and can secure the backing of the
entire California delegation.
Messrs. Talbot and Phillips are now in
Humboldt County making their regular
tour of inspection.
The charges against Superintendent
Flint are that he was seen under the in
fluence of liquor and also that he winked
at the packing of the mails carried by the
Southern Pacific during the annual weigh
ing. The complaint was made by an
official who was discharged by Flint and
afterward reinstated by the authorities at
Washington. The accusations in meas
ure have been officially denied from the
capital, but still the investigation is being
held by the postal authorities. There are
also number of hungry Democrats who
| want Flint's place and they are leaving no
stone unturned in the effort to secure it.
The principal thing against Deputy Sur
veyor Ruddell seems to be that he and
Special Agent of the Treasury Moore are
not on the best of terms. The latter is q
| power among the Federal officials and
while he has no direct control over the
heads of departments still he can make his
| influence felt at any moment.
Just for what particular dereliction OF
duty Ruddell is to be investigated no one
seems to know, and Moore refuses to talk.
| He will neither affirm nor deny the story
and contents himself with saying nothing
| Collector Wise says if there is to be an in
vestigation he has not heard of it. Never
| theiess, the fact remains that trouble is
brewing, and Captain Ruddell may find
himself In the swim along with the others
All in al, there is feeling of great I'M
easiness in the Federal departments, and
| no man seems to know where the lightning
will strike next.