New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-05
ROME AGAINST M'KINNEY.
A DISPUTE OVER THE OFFICE OF IN
TERNAL REVENUE COLLECTOR.

SECRETARY CARLISLE DECIDES IN FAVOR OF
MR.. MKINNEY-THE AFFAIR NOT ENTIRELY
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. By TELE-
PHONE FROM WASHINGTON.
President Mckinley lad not been in Office more
than two hours before Lyman j. Gage, his Secre-
tary Of the Treasury. called upon TO act with
ex-Secretary Carlisle in settling a dispute which
arose yesterday afternoon in the Office of the In
ternal Revenue Collector for the First New
York District. John c. Kelley ceased 10 be
Collector al yesterday. when the Senate
went OF existence. because mis- appointment
had never been confirmed by the Senate The dis
pute which Mr.. Gage was called upon arbitrate
Yesterday was in regard TO the proper line OF sue
cession IN the office Acting Collector Alexander
Mckinney claims that Mr.. Keleys mantle falls
upon his shoulders. and Senior Deputy Collector
William VI. Rome insists that the burden of the
Office devolves upon himself
Soon after nom yesterday Mr.. Mckinney. under
the order Of Secretary Carlisle designatn him as
Acting Collector ION accoune Of Collector Kelley
falling of confirmation was In charge of the Of
fce when Mr.. Rome entered the office and in
formed him that he intended 10 be the Acting Col
lector. Mr.. Rome's manner was friendly, and Mr..
Mckinney. IN the spirit asked him upon
what grounds he based his claim. Mr.. Rome then
quoted section Of the Revised Statutes which says
that in OF the sickness or absence OF Col
lector the duties of the office shall devolve upon
them upon another of his deputies. The senior
deputy designated in the statute is the man who
has served the longest period In the Office. Mr..
Rome showed Deputy Collector Mckinney another
clause saying that in OF vacancy In the Of
fee the Collector the deputy shall continue 10
act until the Collectors is appointed and
that the deputy OF the Collector senior In service
shall discharge all the duties Of the Collector.
As against these sections Mr.. Mckinney quoted
one saying that when 1t appears the Secretary of
the Treasury that the interests OF the Government
20 require il may direct that the duties of the
Office be performed BY such other one OF the deputies
as he may designate
Mr. Rome then surprised Mr. Mckinney by show
MI Gage, reporting that he had assumed charge of
the office Acting Collector and had sent notice
10 the Commissioner Of Internal Revenue that
effect. Mr.. Mckinney made reply TO this, but
awaited Developments Shortly after o'clock he
was called 10 his telephone and informed that NJ.
Wilson, the Acting Commissioner of Internal Reve
Wire Al Mr.. Wilson's side, as nc talked 10 MIR
Mckinney, Secretary Carlisle and Mr. Gage
MI Gage informed Mr.. Wilson - tell Deputy Col
lector Mckinney that he had received Mr.; Rome's
Carlisle on the point involved. Mr. Cages instruc-
lions that Secretary Carlises orders should be
power in the office. Armed with this message from
The retiring Secretary and his successoi Mr.. Me-
Kinney continued In charge OF the Office and last
s ne reaaes sse Of Mr. claim a ne
Mr. Rome Is Republican. and II Is well under
stood that he is seeking to succeed Mr.. Kelley as
Collector, Mr.: Mckinney is a Shepard democrat
was not entirely This remark was inter
preted 10 mean that before Office hours are over TO-
day the place now heid BY Nr Rome VII be vacant
Rome Mr.. Mckinney positively refused 10 give any
Information.