The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-29
THE DAVIDSON CASE
The Professors Removal Causes
. Storm of Indignation.
SENATORS TO MAKE A PROTEST.
Gen. Dufield, Chief Of the Coast and
Geodetic Survey, Accused OF
Petty Spitework.

Washington City. June ss.-A determined
effort will be made to secure the restora-
ton 10 Office OF Prof. George Davidson.
The news that he had been dropped from
the roll created a commotion among Fed
eral officers. shippers. steamboatmen,
scientists and in many other circles where
Prof. Davidson has friends Senators Per-
kins, White and Allen have telegraphed
protests against his removal.
San Francisco, June 2S.-The inside his
tory OF the removal of Prof Davidson.
chief OF the coast and geodetic survey.
will disclose the fact that men in Washing
ton City holding high and responsible posi-
tons are guided by small jealousies and
feelings Of resentment that would disgrace
z church choir. When all the facts come
TO light Il will he shown that President
Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle have
been nlisled, IL not deliberately deceived,
by Gen. Dufheld, superintendent of the
coast survey.
The superintendent is quoted as saying:
"It Will be recalled that when the sundry
civil appropriation bill was pending in
congress petition was received from Cal
-ifornia praying that the professor be re-
tanned. Congress took no action In the
matter. and the result is Davidson is to
60" Superintendent Duffield does not give
the true version The true facts are known
to Senator Perkins and many other SEN
tors. When the bill came from the house
to the senate there was no provision for
the salary of Prof. Davidson. Immediately
dispatches from California were received
by Senator Perkins, who at once went be-
fore the senate finance committee to as
certain the cause of the omission. Sena-
tor Allison, of the committee, knew Prof.
Davidson and appreciated the value of the
service he had performed for many years.
and told Senator Perkins that the profess
sor's salary would be provided for. Sena-
tors Squire, White, Jones, Stewart, Doiph
and many others interviewed the commit
tee. When the bill came from the confer
ence OF both houses, Senator Allison said
distinctly to Senator Perkins that the bill
as amended did not disturb Prof. David
son. All the Pacific coast senator's were
so assured, and the bill itself bears out
this assertion. The sentiment in favor of
retaining Prof. Davidson was so open and
pronounced that the bill would have been
defeated IL his salary had not been pro-
vided for.
The impression which exists here that
President Cleveland has been misled
arises from the fact that he has recognized
the services of Davidson by appointing the
professor on the commission to settle the
boundary disputes. Moreover, the asser-
ton is distinctly made that the president
spoke highly of Davidson to Prof Colonna,
of the coast and geodet1c survey. and went
so far in expression OF his admiration as
to say to Prof. Colonna that David
son would be retained Economy is
certainly not the motive for the re-
moval. because Gen. Duffield's son, who
has been but short time in the
service gets in Washington City $500 a
year. while Davidson served twenty years
at $1,000 year. Duffield succeeded Men
denhail. who was man of great scientific
attainments. and since his advent as su-
perintendent has made It very unpleasant
for men who have gained special recogni-
ton for valuable scientific work. The fact
also transpires that the senate diminished
Duffield's salary to the extent of 81. 900 per
annum, and he is now perhaps endeavor-
Ing TO be revenged on the senator's who re-
adjusted his compensation