The evening times., 1896-11-13
CHIEF CLERK WYLIE is OUT
stlT
His Sudden Dismissal From the
Ouarlermaster's Department.
1t Grows Out of Laundry Contract
in Which Dexter & Co. Figure.
His Statement.

The resignation OF Chief Clerk Henry
| w yiie, or the quartermaster's depart
| nent at the Marine Barracks, SO it is re-
| ported, has been requested by SECRETARY OF
| the Navy Herbert. The reasons assigned
| for this action are alleged irregularities
| Oh the part OF Mr.. wylie In connection with
the award OF contracts for the supplies or
| the barracks.
Mr W yi.e, when seen at his home, No.
| 3lT a street southeast, yesterday, de-
| MED all knowledge OF the matter.
Ii the report were true, he thought that
he should be Tie first to hear OF II, and as
ne had received no official notice OF his
dismissal. he expressed his disbelief in the
story.
Furthermore. he had done nothing which
in any way justified the action reported
Lo iIa .e been u kca Dy the Navy Department.
HIS contracts had al ways been made III ac-
coruancv wlvu tne ruies, and have as
rule given entire satisfaction to all CON
cerned.
lne only complaint which he has heard
regarding his contract was in connection
VIA tn= aadnI Try TOfa OF tine barracks.
Last July" said Mr.. wyiie, proposals
were advertised for in the usual manner,
and the laundry contract was awarded to
New York man. Soon after the award
lie went TO BeNter Co.. OF TINS city,
ana made arrangements with them to do
the work.
Before this agreement was entered into,
Mr. Erwin, OF Dexter * Co., called at my
house to see me / was not at home. and
he left word for me to call Oh him. i did
SO, and he asked whether the New York
man was responsible parry, ana tod
him that l tel eyed him to tie So, that he
had been awarded the contract, and was
general contractor Dexter Co. did the
work for the New York man for TINE,
and then Il Complaint was made that the
price icing fs.id vas too much.
An lnyeS Igat ton follow ed the Complaint,
which reSul ed in its being said that | had
ASKED Dexter & Co not to bid against the
New York man, for If he received the con
tract he would permit Dexter Co. to do
the work.
This allegation was laid before me, and
I was directed to make a statement in
writing. I saw Mr.. Dexter and Mr.. Erwin,
and secured from each a written statement
that the charge made against Inc was abso-
lutely untrue. and to IL added my own de-
aial and statement, and submitted them to
my superiors- That is all l know of the
matter. l wish to say in the most
positive manner that / have never in the
course of my long official career donea thing
that would warrant my removal from my
position
ar. " ylies record previous to his appoint
ment 20 his present position has been most
creditable. He served with honor in the
civil war, and at its close he received in
addition to his honorable discharge a vote
OF thanks from the State of Massachusetts.
Hecame to Washingtonin in l S63 and accept
ed a position in the ordnance department
THIS he held until 1863, when he became
chief accountant in the navy yard. When
that position was abolished by act of Con-
gress he was appointed clerk to the civil
engineer. After this he was chief clerk
TO the yards and docks, which position he
resigned in 1875 to accept a clcrkship in
the quartermaster's department of the ma
rine corps. In 1855 he was appointed chief
clerk OF the department, which post he
has filled ever since.
1t was stated at the quartermastcr's Of
flee uf the Marine Barracks, this morning,
that the report regarding the dismissal OF
Chief Clerk Wylie is true.