Evening journal., 1896-04-20
Evsr.Hungry John.

youth he has been feeding at the public
crib and seems to think that he Is on the
public for life.
He began his office htldIng Greer
under Martin Msaley aud It Twas the
influence Of his uncle rather than per-
ponal fitness or party service that got
him his Grst 6ll at the public crib.
Martin Mealey died, and John j. Mealey,
his executor, succeeded to the office.
Callahan impressed him with the idea
that the oiiise could not be run without
him and he was permitted to stay on
during the entire term. When John j..
Msaley's time was about TO expire, Gala
han became convinced that he should
have the southern district oollectorship
he went into the primaries and Eugene
NJ. Sayers defeated him 80 badly that he
never had the heart to run for another
elective Office Collector sAyers turned
him out OF his clerical berth in the tsx
effioe and appointed Thomas +. Gormloy
to succeed him.
Callahan was out OF a job. 10 must
have something to do and the Democrs' ic
party must find IL for him. He looked
the 6sld over and decided that he would
like to be deputy collector Of customs
At that time the deputys Office was
worth several hundred dollars more a
year than the collectors office aud John
was hungry. he was after the money
and did not care q rap for the honor.
At that time George L Townsend
WAS collector and William r Finn was
deputy. Both were Republicans. An
unsuccessful off.rt. had been made to
seoAre the removal OF Mr. Townsend.
but President Cleveland put his foos
down on It, much to the qualification Of
Senator Gray, who Is believer In allow
Ing Republicans to Gil out their terms.
Callahan began to hunger for Mr..
Films place. he went to the active
political workers, stated that be WAS out
of work and must have something to do
He begged fer Mr.. Films place and
urged them to see Senator Gray In his
behalf.
Senator Gray never had high regard
for Callahan. and la the Interviews,
which followed Ne plainly showed II.
However. big hsas have little hsas.
and finally tho senator consented to
secure the removal CT Mr.. Finn to make
room for Callahan, Then fresh compn
cations arose. Collector Townsend de
clarsd that be would not have Callahan
IN his Office The screws we're put on
the collector by the people who wanted
TO get Callahan Job They
threatened the collector with re-
moval, but he knew thing or two and
stood hrm, absolutely refusing to recon
mend Callahan. He doubled on his
prosecutors and named William A
Comegys, Democrat aud personal
friend, for the position. Callahan and
bis hackers Immediately raised howl
against Mr.. Comegys, impeachlng his
Democracy aud threatening to cut the life
ous Of him II he dared to accept the
position. Mr. Comegys held the matter
under advIsemens for Ato1t three weeks
Finally finding that Callahan could not
possibly get the place, and having as
surance that his acceptance Of it would
not be repugnRnt to Mr. Gray aud other
Democrats whose opinions were worth
considering Mr. Comegys accepted the
post aud has held 1t ever since with Mr..
Townsend as his superior officer.
CAllAhn was still out OF work. He
vowed vengeance against Mr. Oomegys
and set about getting some position pos
sessing the virtue OF light work aud
heavy remuneration. To get rid OF him
aud his importunitles $5.a day berth
was found In the Philadelphia mint and
there be Is at the present day.
But he has never been Satisfied uith
his $30-a-week berth. he has been
haunted by the fear that the State
would tilt up In his absence After he
had recslvsd his mint appointment J.
Foard was appointed clerk o. the peace
OF this county to succeed w. Pierce
Biggs. Callahan Immediately made an
endesvor to secure the removal Of
Deputy Jsnviow, son in law Of Mr. Biggs
and nephew-in-laW Of Mr.. Folrd
in order that he might become
deputy. Several prominent Democrats
waited upon Mf. FoArd aud saraestly
tdvised him that the appointment Of
Callahan TO that position woald be most
Objectionable TO the Democratic party
aud to those persons having business to
transact in the Office. Tue result was
that be was turned down again.
he now bobs up Rs a candidate for the
ofi'e OF collector Of customs, carrying a
double berreled gun-one barrel loaded
for Collector ToWnsend aud the other
for Depaty Collector C,msgys. aud both
likely to burst at the breech end.
This Is the political history Of the
sver-prsssnt. ever forward. ever hungry
John, and the sooner the Democratic
party gets rid OF such para site the bet
ter the people will liks It.
There Is law which provides that the
Wilmington City Railway Company shall
pave within It's tracks ard for space oi
three feet on each side. 1t would not b.
amiss for the Board OF Trade investiQat