The times., 1897-07-30
BOND REFUSES TO RESIGN
VIII Not Voluntarily Give Up His
Office to Mr. Haskell.
Commissioner Wight Says That He
VIII Therefore Be Compelled to
Have Him Dismissed.

Although MS SUCCESSOR, MI. HdSKell, haS
been appointed sealer OF weights and
measures for the District OF Columbia, the
incumbent, GEN Bond, refuses to resign, al
lrging that his displacement is brought
about by political reasons.
The resignation of Gen Bond has been
called for hy the Commissioners, but he
takes tie stand that this move is the result
of political intrigue, and he denies the right
OF the Commissioners to practically dis
miss him for political reasons.
If the Commissioners, he says, desire to
have his place they wilt have to show their
hand openly, by ordering hisdismissal Thus
the Commissioners have an interesting com
plication on their hands.
Back Of this ENHANCEMENT are involved
two most prominent public men, as 1t is
Well known that the appointment Of Mr.
Haskell, who has been named by Com
missioner Wight to replace Gen. Bond was
due almost entirely To the influence OF
Senator Hanna, while the present sealer is
backed by Senator German.
The first Indication that Mr.. Bond had
OF the trend of affairs was on the 30th OF
last month, wien Commissioner Wight sent
for him to come to his office and said that
he was very sorry, but he must ask for
the seaier's resignation. He stated in ex-
planation that while Mr.. Bonds work was
unsatisfactory pressure hadbeen brought
to bear upon him by Senator Hanna and
Others, which made it necessary for him
to have the office vacated. H.,
Mr.. Bond to this replied that he thought
the office was not political one and that
it was not right TO remove him FOR such a
reason. Mr. Wight expressed surprise that
the sealer should raise any objection, saying
tnat he would have imagined that Mr. Bond
would prefer his resignation to go to the
public as voluntary.
Gen. Bond, however, continued to demur
and at the close of the interview the Com
missioner consented to communicate what
he had said to the sealer In writing. The
letter thus received was submitted by Mr..
Bond to Senator German The latter
also expressed surprise that a District
office should lie so openly made the object
Of political bargains. He advised the sealer
not to resign, and said that he would speak
to the Commissioners about it, This was
told Commissioner Wight. who said that he
would be perfectly willing to hold the
matter in allegiance until the Maryland Sen.
ator could be heard from.
Nothing further was then heard concern
ing the resi- gnation by Gen. Bond until about
q week ago, when he received letter from
Commissioner Wight expressive of sur
prise that the calledfor resignation had not
yet been forwarded.
To this Mr.. Bond has made no answer.
aud fsnow merely waiting tosee hat VIII
be the Commissioners next move.
In all the transactions with regard TO
his resignation Gen. Bond has come In
contact only with Commissioner Wight
and all the letters have been signed by
that gentleman only. The board of COM
rnissioners have not appeared in the trans
action at all, and this is another reason
for Gen. Bond IS refusal.
When approached by a Times reporter
yesterday be declined to speak concerning
the affair. further than to say hat he pur-
poses TO hold the office until his superiors
Officially order his removal. IF this be
done and there is every likelihood that il
will-tiere may be some interesting de-
velopments. rs Senator German is reported
to have said that he would fight the re-
moval vigorously, If the Commissioners
should dare to remove General Bond with
out giving any other than a political rea-
son and in the face of their letter strong
ly approving his official conduct
Commissioner Ross said that he pre-
ferred not to talk concerning the matter
as it came under Mr.. Wight's Jurisdiction
lie had 10 doubt, however, that the affair
VIII come TO u focus in the course of few
days
Commissioner Wight was seen at his
home last night and said that the only
elimination possible in the matter viii be
for the board to dismiss the present Bealer
81 do not see what Gen. Bond expects to
make by the stand he has taken in this
affair."" be said. He surely doesn't ex-
pect Us to have two sealers, and Mr..
HaskelPs appointment goes into effect
the first Of next month"
Mr.. Wight then went on to say that
lie will recommend the sealer's dismissal,
and as it is q matter Of courtesy with
the board of Commissioners that each
member shallhave control of appointments
in the department over which he has con-
troll, there is no doubt as to the outcome.