The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-08
MOWERS QUEER STORY.
Alleges There Was a ConSpi-
racy to Keep Him Out of
His Office.
A FORMAL COMPLAINT MADE.
The Chief of the Bureau and Chief
Clerk Of the State Department
Involved.

NEW YORK. n. Y, July IA Worlds
| Washington special says: Charges of 8
most serious character have been filed
against responsible officials of the State
Department. The complainant is General
Henry R. D. McIver appointed Consul to
Spain by President Cleveland on Septem-
Der 4, 1ss3 General McIyer is now in the
city, having thrown up his commission in
disgust and FASTENED from Denia to Wash
lngton expressly to present his charges to
President Cleveland He Unexpectedly
found the President absent, but after tell
ing his story to Mr.. Uhl, Acting Secretary
of State, he was directed by Mr. Uhl to put
his charges in writing, which he has done.
General McIver, who has tried to avoid
publicity, was surprised to learn that the
correspondent was aware that he had made
formal charges against the Consular Bu-
reau, and particularly the chief of the bu-
reau, Walter +. Faison. Edward l. Rem
nick, the chief clerk of the department, is
also involved.
ut would not do for me-" said General
McIver, "to go into particulars as to what
| have been obliged, as an American and
as man, to lay before Mr.. Uhl. The
proofs must be reserved for the official in
yestigation. This is very serious matter.
1.-THE wrongdoing is by officials of promi-
hence in the State Department. The COM
mercial interests of the country and the
honor of the men engaged in the consular
service are concerned.
81 have been forced to conclude that GER
tain officials in the Consular Bureau in
Washington are in league for other than
political reasons with certain American
Consuls abroad.
81 have here letters and documents
which will prove all that l charge, and
shall not rest until / have exposed the rea-
son why certain Consuls are kept or sought
to be kept in Office by the Consular Bureau
here at Washington, and the reason why
my letters to the State Department, con-
tanning serious charges, were suppressed in
that bureau and never answered because
they went no further.
'It will be clear why l, an old soldier
bearing the commission of the President
of the United States. ratified by the United
States Senate, found it necessary to resign
the post
"As soon as my appointment was re-
ceiyed by the Senate" said the General
to-day, 81 appeared at the State Depart
ment to take the oath of office.
81 had never seen Chief Faison of the
Consular bureau, nor had / ever heard of
him. When l appeared to take the oath
he said that must first furnish my bonds.
This | have learned was the first time the
point had ever been raised.
"When 1 reached my post 1 found that
Con sI,l McGrillis RanuhficaD refI1Sad m
allow me to take Office, would not surren-
der the Consulate or put me in possession
of any of the records.
81 showed my commission, but McCrillis
raised the bubble that must first get my
exeauatur from the Spanish Government
before could act as Consul. This he tried
in every way possible to prevent my doing.
HE told the local officials that was a
professional duellist, a brawler, and that l
had fought against the Spanish in Cuba,
and was therefore their enemy. 1t was
urged by him that had fought with Don
Carlos, and was a soldier of fortune,
utterly untitled to be a consul.
Il wrote to Minister Taylor and he called
McCrillis to Madrid and probably repri-
manded him, for Minister Taylor wrote to
me that McCrillis had promised him to
deliver the consulate to me. l asked Mr..
McCrillis to do 80 ana he said that he had
made no such promise to Mr.. Taylor.
II wrote to Minister Taylor, who then got
my exequatur from Spain. l went down
to the consulate with it, prepared to re-
move Mr.. McCrillis if he refused to go.
He went.
During all this time the Chief of the Con-
sular Bureau at Washington, Faison, who
was fully aware that was duly appointed
Consul and on the ground at Denia kept
writing to McCrillis as the Hon. R. f.
McCrillis, United States Consul, Denia,
Spain. This is forbidden by Consular
regulations.
~ repeatedly wrote to the Consular
bureau. but my letters were answered by
Faison to McCrillis, and they worked to-
gether Understandings.
Even after 1 was in possession of the
Office Mr.. Faison continued for long
time Co address letters to McCrillis as
Consul. have some of these letters.
You are right in supposing that there
was very strong motive in this common
interest between the Consular Bureau and
the ex-Consul, whose appointment bad
never been ratified.
81 have indisputable proof of the con-
spiracy, and it is important not only
politically, but commercially. 1 do not
want any appointment, but l do, for the
good of the country and our National
honor, want an investigation and reforma-
ton of the whole consular service.
when got here and went to the State
Department, Chief Clerk Rem lex used
every endeavor to get me to keep quiet
For Assistant Secretary Uhl 1 have the
very highest respect. He is thorough,
courteous and fearless official.
He understands this whole matter, and
it was on his advice that put my charges
against the consular bureau in writing.