The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-19
DIDN'T LIKE pLATr OR coNKLINo
Second Volume Of Senator Sherman's Grill
ciSms is Out.

Forty Years in the House, Senate, and
Cabinet, an Autobiography" (the Wer-
ner company has been received SEN
aitor Sherman, in this, dwells especially
on his duties as secretary of the treas
uIy in Hayes cabinet. He gives for
fhe first time his side OF the conltro-
versy which led up to the removal of
Chester A Arthur as collector and Al
ONO 3. Cornell as surveyor of the port
Of New York by Hayes.
The Mansfield statesman refers to the
various Republican national conven-
nbons in which his name was mentioned
as candidate, has many things TO say
of Republican Statesmen in Ohio, and,
generally speaking, is apparently quite
candid. From the time that he begins
TO write about Roscoe Conkling 1t is
clear that he did not like Conkling.
Latter on his comments on ex-senator
Thomas c. Plaut would lead one 20 be-
heve that he never has liked Plarr.
either.
Sherman says that at the beginning
of Hayes administration, and for
months previous, there had been COM
plahnts about the conduct OF business
i'm the principal custom houses IN the
United States. This was especially
called to my attention" Sherman adds.
directed an examination into the con-
duct of the customs house at New York.
Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Fran
cisco and perhaps other ports"
He does not say who called his attel-
tjon to this matter. Chester A. Arthur
was then collector of the port of New
York, AlonZo B. Cornell was naval Of
ficer, and George II. Sharpe was APP
praiser. On April %. 1877, Sherman, as
secretary of the treasury, designated
John ]. Lawrence Turnure Of New York
and j. II. Robinson, assistant solicitor
of the treasury, a commission on the
New York custom house. This has al
ways been known as the Jay Commits
sion. One month later. on May "a, the
commissioner madea general report 10
Secretary Sherman. This report r.
lated chiefly to appointments upon
political influence without regard to
Efficiency" and recommended a re
dIction in the force of 20 per cent Sher-
man says that he promptly referred this
report oHayes, and Hayes responded
TO a letter ITO Sherman, saying:
Panty leaders should have no more
influence in appointments than other
equally respectable citizens. No as
sessments for political purposes on Of
ficers or suhordinaltes hould be allaw-
ed. No useless office or employe should
be retained. No officer should be re-
Quired or permitted TO take part in the
management of political organizations.
caucuses, conventions or election cam
paigrfs."
Sherman received this letter on May
% and on the same day he replied TO
the commissioner. Sherman in his let
ter ito the commissioner says:
81 am much gratified that the col
leotfor. naval officer. and the surveyor
of the port concur with you in the pro-
posed reduction
Two days later Sherman sent to
Arthur a copy of THE first report of the
commission and suggestions as TO how
the force could be reduced. Sherman,
in this letter TO Arthur. said:
sit is impossible ma force so large
as yours that You should know the Pc
cuhar qualities and merits of each en-
pboye. and it is important in making
selections that you secure this informa-
ltion through committees of trusted Of
ficers. and tn proper cases to test the
intelligence. ability and qualifications
of an officer of applicant for office by
written queStlOns or an oral eXamina
ition."
There was a third report from the Jay
Commission July q and fourth re-
port Aug. 81. Two other reports of mi
nor Importance were made Oct. 81 and
Nov. l, but Sherman says:
After the receipt of the report of Aug
81, the president, who had carefully
read the several reports. announced his
desire ito make a change in the three
leading officer Of the New York custom
house"
Sherman was given 10 understand
that Arthur and Cornell did not want
10 be removed pending the investiga-
iron. as IL would seem they were ohaTg-
ed with The acknowledged defects AMI
irregularities which they themselves
had pointed out" Arthur and Cornell
gave no in1mation of any' intention 10
resign their places, although Evauss.
secretary OF state in Hayes cabinet,
had Offered Arthur the consulship at
Paris. Arthur declined the place. Sher
man goes on 20 say:
1T soon became manifest thar these
gentlemen had no purpose to resign.
and that Senator Conkling intended
To make a political contest against the
policy of civil service reform inaugural
ed by President Hayes.
Oct "A, 1877. the president sent to the
senate The nominations Of Theodore
Roosevelt TO succeed Arthur as col
George H. Sharpe as surveyor. and l.
r. Prince to succeed A. 3. Cornell as
naval officer. All OF shem We're reject
ed by the senate Oct %. Dec. 6. during
the following session. Roosevelt, Prince
and Merritt were again nominated. and
the two former were again rejected. !
Merritt was confirmed surveyor Dec. /
Is. Sherman's book says:
This action Of the senate was indie /
fensibie- There was not the slightest |
objection TO Roosevelt or Prince. and |
none Was made. The reasons for a cha /
nge We're given in the report OF the Jay |
Commission Even without this re-
port the right OF the president 20 ap-
point these officers was given by the /
To compel the president /
20 retain anyone In such an Office cha-g- /
ed with the collection OF the great body |
OF the revenue from customs. n the I
face OF such reasons as were given for ]
removal WAS a groSs breach OF public
duty No dolb- the Democratic ma
5orfy IN the senate miefl< defend them /
selves with political reasons. but the 1
Inosve Of Mr.. ConkNng Vas s1osJ-asy 20 4
President Hayes and his Unborn GeSir>e 4
IN do,nlneer. The chief e-nbs<T1ss-
Ine1lr fel upon him"
Tina ran on. Conkiiag n 1913 was 4
re-esectei 20 -sse senate. and Cornell 4
was nominated by the Republicans for /
governor. Arthur was chairman OF ne 1
state commE1ee OF New
York and Sept he invited Sherman .
10 speak 70 1he Republicans % New
York and ash il the election OF Cornell.
S1eznan didn't know whether OF no<
- ecceIsS thu noninztSs1. as Il seemed
,slat the Invitation OF Cornell and ne
Of tie canvass BY Arthur
VAS an exprsSs5Da OF triumph. and ~
vozld be res2raec as a
limitation % the r,-S.sssserlr'' Finally