The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-01-14
HHPPENHEIMER IS OUT.
The Inspector General Does
Not Wish to Serve Under
a Republican Governor.
special to the Jerscv C5tu Ne,rs.


TRENTON, Jan. IA, 1S96.--Governor
Werts received today the resignation of
Brigadier-General William c. Heppen-
heimer- as Inspector General, to take
effect January 20
There was much speculation as to why
Gen. Heppenheimer resigned, in view of
the fact that the office of Inspector
General Is practically life position.
1t carries with. it high military honors.
and the incumbent cannot be removed
for political reasons.
The friends of Gen. Heppenheimer say
ne has been considering the advisability
OF reslgning ever since Mr.. Griggs was
elected Governor. Many of his friends
urged him to retain the office, but the
General argued that he was a Democrat
and could not consistently serve as a
State military officer under Republican
administration.
That General Heppenheimer's resignation
was not rendered to Governor Werts upon
the impulse Of the moment is attested by
the correspondence which was given out to
night. General Heppenheiner specifi-
cally stated his reasons for desiring 70
vacate the. office of Inspector-Generai in
a letter which he sent to Governor-elect
Griggs. 1t reads
Hoboken. N. j., Dee. so, 1895.
Hon. John W: Griggs, Governor-elsct of
Bear Be- siss sn n sW oTer to enable my
sor to attend your Inauguration in his
official capacity, I deem it my duty TO in
the office Of Inspector General now held
by me. My reasons are these: The
office of Inspector-General is purely hon
orary, and the nties nominal. 1 nave al
ways believed that for this reason the term
of office or custom should expire with she
term of the Governor making the lpnuint-
same footing as the personal staf. After
opposing your candidacy on the stump
during the recent campaign. and as an
active partisan of the party whie:. opposed
you in that struggle, l do not tsael that it
would be right or proper for me 70 be a
member of your military household as
Do you wish me to resign to Governor
Werts before the expiration OF his term
Of fs or to bs yobh, b,ges
adrnfia adminstsation ION as s the Chief Executive
youpa VI Gaf very ssar respecffny afnn the h0n0f
WILLIAM &C. HEPPENHEIMER,
1nspector-G General
Governor-elect Griggs acknowledge
letter, and replied
Paterson. N. j. January 9, 1Sss
boken, N J =
your favor Of December 3O stating that
you have concluded to resign the Office
of Inspector-,G 6, ! appreciate very
that purpose to- me, as well as the
friendly sentiments expressed by you
| with reference to myself PoIit1ca
| military as well as other households. and
| while personally I shall, regret, as
know all your associates Will. your re-
| tirement, yet it will enable me to honor
a perSonal and political friend from my
| own town
Please consult entirely your own pleas.
| ure as to whether YOU send your resigna
| ton to Governor Werts before the expira-
ton of his term or to me afterwards
To me it will be immaterial:
| With high personal regards, l am, very
7'-1Ss'S JOHN w. GRyGGs.
| General Heppenheimer decided to for
| ward his resignation to Governor Werts
4 1t was received yesterday, with copies o!
| the correspondence between Governor
elect Griggs and General Heppenheimer
! The letter of resignation soilows:-
jan Ii, 1896
Hon. George t. Werts, Governor ant
| Chief of the State o.
| Dear sir-I herewith resign the office
! of Inspector General of the State of New
| Jersey, now held by me, my resignatiSs
to take effect January 20. 1895. se
copies Of correspondence had between
/ myself and Governor-elect Griggs, which
explain my reasons for resigning.
i Requesting an acceptance Of the abovt
/ resignation, and thanking you for the
many courtesies extended during the
| term of your administration, ! have tbs
VIM. c. HEPPENHEIMER,
! Brigadier General and Inspector General
| N. G., s. N. j.
| It is understood that Governor-eleci
| Griggs will appoint Colonel Joseph w
| Congdon, of Paterson, General Heppen.
heimer's successor. Col. Congdon is one
| IS said was promised an appointment or
his staff. The resignation OF General
Heppenheimer leaves q vacancy which
Col. ongdon, 1T is said, Is Wiling TO Gu
T.