The San Francisco call., 1896-02-09
DAGGETT FACES TROUBLES
He Is Ordered to Washington to
Explain Those Patronage
Matters.
MAGUIRE URGES HIS CHARGES.
Senator White Backs Greggains, the
Buckleyite, Whose Removal Is
Not Approved.

Superintendent of the Mint Daggett has
gone to Washington in response to ad-
nlinistration summons, and inca few DAYS
few things will be likely to pop.
1t is an almost unprecedented thing for
mint superintendent or Government
official of like position to be summoned to
Washington to answer for alleged deeds
and misdeeds, but that is why John Dag
gett has gone. His going was very quiet
one. He slipped away on the overland
train last Wednesday night without MAX
ing any announcement of his departure,
and the Journey he was on was not known
even among employees of the Mint until
day or two later.
When Daggett gets to Washington the
charges filed and urged against him by
Congressman Mcguire, his tussle with his
poIitica enemies and the patronage mess
in which he has kent himself ever since he
assumed Office, will all be brought to a
focus. 1t is not thought likely that Ma
guire and others will succeed in getting
him removed, but when he gets through
with his explanations and with the coun-
ter-roasts which he has ready for his
enemies, he will likely listen to the read
ing of some law.
The discharge of Alexander Greggains.
the Democratic politician of the Thirty
third District, on November 30 last, be.
cause he displayed fealty to Buckley in
stead of hustling for Daggett and Rainey
tee, is one of two or three things that
brought the fight over Daggett to a focus.
Greggains promptly won the backing of
two elements--the Buckleyites and MANY
enemies of Daggett outside the Buckley
camp. Greggains is popular fellow be-
sides. Then his discharge gave Daggett's
opponents another chance to urge that
Dagget was displaying ''pernieious activ-
ity" in local politics and generally using
his patronage power, in fragrant violation
of the declared policy of President Cleye-
land that offensive partisanship and other
political indecencies should be avoided by
heads of departments.
A vigorous protest against Greggains'
dismissal was filed with the Director of
the Mint and well backed up. According
10 law and regulations the dismissal of an
employe by a mint superintendent must
be approved by the Director Of the Mint
before it becomes final. Ordinarily such
dismissal would be approved as matter
of form without inquiry, but private ad-
vices from Washington show that the Di-
rector of the Mint has fatty disapproved
Daggett's action. If Dagsett does not con-
vince Dire ctor Preston and Secretary Car
Isle that his dismissal OF Greggains should
be approved as measure of discipline. if
nothing else. Greggains will be reinstated
ana draw his pay for the time he has been
loafing, and Daggett will appear badly sat
down on.
Another little thing that has kept the
fuss going in Washington was the way
Daggett tried to trick Coiner Spots into
refusing to nominate lady for appoint.
ment in his department at the request of
Secretary Carlisle himself. About 81 <
weeks ago Mr.. Daggett received from Di.
rector Preston letter saying that Secre-
tary Carlisle desired the appointment of a
certain lady in the coiner's department in