Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-12-13
CHARGES AGAINST pEeRING.
George II. Fogss Prefers Charges Again: I
Collector Desring Of Portland.

Portland, Me-, Dec. 12-George II. Fogg,
late inspector of immigration at this port
has sent to the President an affidavit.
q which the following I. copy. making
charges against Hon. John W. Deering,
ex-mayor of Portland, former Demo-
! cratic congressional candidate, at pres
ent collector OF this port, and for many
| years one of the leading citizens of
Maine:
| Portland, Me-, Dec. 10, 1897.
To the President of the United States.
| Washington, d. c.:
:sir-I hereby submit to your honorable
| notice the following charges preferred
| against John w. Deering collector of
| customs at the port of Portland and Fal-
| mouth Me-:
l charge that on the 18th day of Sep
! tember. 1886. j. on that date being an Of
ficial of the government serving in the
capacity of immigrant inspector at Port
land Me-, was informed that the col
lector desired to see me in his room in
the custom house at Portland Me. Obe-
dient to that request ! proceeded at once
to the private room of the collector the
SAID John w. Deering. Without preface
The said John w. Deering did then and
there attempt to cOerce me i'm the matter
OF political affiliation. and unduly and
unlawfully influence me in the casting of
my ballot. by the following words: "Mr
togg want to give you some advice. |
ana Sewall Club, as they assail the Presi-
dent and secretary of the treasury, and I
aon see how you can support Bryan and
Sewali | don't know what course the
;.c tcmihlstration will pursue, but l should
Keep quiet if l was in your place l don't
see now you can support the Bryan and
Sewall ticket without you resign your
once. II you make yourself conspicuous
III tIis matter you are reliable to re-
moval." This attempted coercion took
place IN the custom house. on the Sat-
urday before the State election the fol-
lowing Monday. and | charge is IA direct
violation OF general rule of the revised
civil service rules, issued by the civil
service commission. 1884
Iufther charge that said John w.
DeeilHS Is grossly abusive in his treat. |
ment OF employees of the government un-
uct ms supervision. as well as guilty of
uhgentlemanly and unbecoming conduct |
~ ms administration of the duties of his |
office. Va MS
further charge that the said John w |
Deering is thoroughly Incompetent and
n uiapie 10 properly conduct the volume of |
BUSINESS passing through this port being
absolutely dependent, through Ignorance
anu iack OF education, on the intelligence
ana ability of subordinate employees of |
the government in the customs DEPART
ment.
The particular acts and specitcatiops
IN support of these general charges will
be furnished upon request.
therefore and because of the above
tacts. l earnestly request an order of in
.1,s,lsall0n OF the above charges and
wnen substantiated, the removal of the
sald John w. Deering as collector of cus
toms at this port. GEORGE II. FOGG.
Personally appeared before me. a no.
tary public in and for the county of Cum
berland, State of Maine. the above George
IL. Fogg, and made oath that the fore
gong statements made by him are true
ALBERT r. NEAL. Notary Public.