The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-30
DAVIDSON IS DISMISSED,
The Curt Official Note Arrived
From Washington Yes
terday.
Friends OF the Famous Savant Mean
to Fight for His Reinstate-
ment.

Not until yesterday, within four hours
Of the expiration of his long term of SER
vice in the Coast and Geodetic Survey
work, did Professor Davidson receive the
official notification that after the end of
this month his services would no longer be
required by the department.
The formal dismissal was very brief and
pointed--about the kind of missive that
one would expect to be sent to subaltern
dismissed from the service in disgrace for
bad conduct.
"You are hereby notified that on and
after July l, 1895, your services will no
longer be required
This was the sum and substance of the
official document, and only the date, the
name and the position of the discharged
employee was written. All the rest was
in printed words. 1t was merely dis
missal blank filled out. Had its recipient
been dishonest postal clerk-instead of
one of the most distinguished scientists in
the world-he might reasonably have felt
that the curtness of his dismissal was
ample punishment for his offense.
Professor Davidson takes the matter
used to obeying orders" he said last even
ing. 81 shall obey this one. I do not like
to have my authority questioned when
give a command. Certainly, shall not
question this authority. THAI is all there
is to say.
'Some of my friends have come here
there have been tears glistening in their
eyes-and that has been little more than
I could stand. A good many have written
to me-such good letters, full of feeling.
Why, didn't know had so many friends.
Oh, no; I've not lost faith in man. How
should ], when the press and everybody
has taken up my cause so heartily and so
earnestly?
"All I have to say is this: Tell those
good friends for me, will you, that / want
few days more in which to acknowledge
their kind letters. / want to think of
something else now, not myself. Besides,
I've got to straighten up my workshop a
bit before go out"
There is some contrast between the
spirit in which Professor Davidson takes
his dismissal, and that in which his friends
view it, They call it an outrage. Some of
them swear when they speak of it. And
all of them are hot for fighting it.
Senator Perkins is one of these. Yester-
day he sent this dispatch to the Nevada
Senators:
BAN FRANCISCO, June 20, 1895.
To the Hon. John P. Jones and Hon. W. W
SteWdrt. United States Senate. United States of
Pacific Coast States earnestly protest in the
public interest against the dismissal OF Pro-
lessor George Davidson from the Coast and
GeOdetic Survey.
Please see the President and Secretary of the
Treasury and have order reconsidered.
No man living has done more for the public
service in his particular line than Davidson.
GEORGE c. PERKINS.
Senator Perkins said yesterday that he
meant to do his utmost to have the action
rescinded and Professor Davidson rein
stated. "And / am sure" he said, "of
having the active cooperation of the en-
tire coast delegation in Congress, besides
the moral sympathy and support of all the
people of the coast. irrespective of party
affiliation. Senator White has already
expressed his readiness to do all in his
power to have this matter righted, and if
it can be done we will do it.
The Technical Society of California will
hold meeting in few days to take action
on what it's members call the unlustifiable
tees of the Chamber of Commerce of San
Francisco are in consultation with Senator
Perkins as to the most appropriate and
| most effective action that body can take in
| the matter.
Several members of the faculty of the
| University of California, in fact, all of
| them who are not away on vacations, have
corresponded with Senator Perkins for the
| same purpose.
It may be that Professor Davidson's dis
missal is final and that he will not be REIN
| stated in spite of all the agitation, but one
| thing is sure, California and the whole
Pacific Coast will be heard at Washington,
and in no uncertain manner, on this ques-
| ton.
| Heretofore the field branch of the Coast
| Survey and Geodetic Department has been
entirely free from the spells system. Poll.
tics have been necessarily relegated to the
wall in favor of efficiency and skill in this
one department..
| The very essence rather than the letter
of the civil service system has heretofore
prevailed and reformers have considered it
a model branch of the public service, SO
admirable in its workings that it was I'M
necessary to enforce the civil service rules
upon it.
BY the friends of civil service reform this
uncalled for dismissal of Professor David
| son is considered as another nail in the
! coffin of the spoils system and another
powerful argument in favor of the system
that permits removal only for cause.