Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-09
WILL 1T BE SUSTAINED ny THE
PREsIDExTs
CAPTAIN WISE IN WASHINGTON.
He II Hopeful of Having the De-
posed Deputies acknowledgements
rni Lees Return Regarded rs
without Political Significance.


arrived In the city last night. and to-
day had extended interviews with
Deputy Commissioner Wilson and the
Secretary of the Treasury. Regarding
the nature OK these interviews Colonei
Brady would not speak, but he reite-
rated the statement which he made in
Richmond, and which was published IN
the Dispatch in relation to his course,
which has created such n sensation in
official civil-service circles. he said
further that his action had been sus-
tanned in writing by the Secretary of
the Treasury, but before making his
permanent appointments from the eligi-
BILE list he would allow the deposed
deputies ample time in which to make
a test case in the courts. or before the
ciyii-Service Commission.
Colonel Brady may feel quite confident
in the position he has taken, especially
as he has the backing OF Secretary
Gage; but there are those here who
think the President Will take the oppo-
site view, and sustain the claims OF
the deposed officials, that they are I'M
der the protection of his recent order,
as construed by President Proctor, of
the Civil-Service Commission. This dis
tEctiy names the Offices under each col
lector which he has the privilege of
filing, and provides that the incumbents
Of all the other offices in each district
shall not be removed except for cause,
and upon written charges. and the
granting OF hearing. If Mr. Mckinney
stands by this order, Ii is claimed here
that it will result in the reinstatement
81 hA ole raa In,
Richmond and elsewhere in the district.
In any case, these gentlemen have re-
course to the courts and the Civil-Ser-
vice Commission. and it will not be
long before decision will be reached
which, it is hoped, will be satisfactory
to all the parties concerned, including
Colonel Brady.
CAPTAIN WISE.
Ex-Congressman George ID. Wise, of
Richmond, counsel for he deposed in
ternal revenue deputies. arrived here this
morning, and called upon the Treasury
and other officials in their behalf. He
had Long interviews with Deputy Com
missioner Wilson, Secretary Gage, and
Reconnaissance Rice. Mr.
Wise is familiar with all the civil service
legislation and he discovered to-day that
both Commissioner Wilson and Secre-
tary Gage are wofully lacking In their
knowledge of the civil service statutes
and of their force and effect. Commits
sioner Wilson, who approves of the con.
struction Collector Brady has placed
upon the law, and the action he has taken
in removing the deputies. Mr.
Wise found, was absolutely ignorant of
the civil service rules. Wilson contends
that Brady had a right to remove the
deputies, on the ground of the expira-
ton of their tenure of office. Mr.. Wise
denied that they had any fixed tenure
of office; that they were under the civil
service rules, and not subject to removal
except for cause, based upon written
charges and a judicial investigation.
Mr.. Wise next saw Secretary Gage,
who gave him a patient and attentive
hearing, but who declined to express any
opinion. He seemed, however, to be
forcibly struck with Mr.. Wise's argu-
ment. and he took the papers, which in
cuded the civil service rules bearing on
the cases, and promised to give them
careful consideration. Secretary Gage,
unlike Commissioner Wilson, appeared
to be open to conviction.
Mr.. Wise called at the Office OF the
Civil Service Commission, but found only
Commissioner Rice present. This gentle
man a. luil SlaAtllltIl VI llt eases,
and agreed with the argument advanced
by Mr. Wise. The latter gentleman re-
turned to Richmond this evening. greatly
pleased with the result of his visit. and
hopeful OF having the deposed officials
reinstated.
GENERAL LEES RETURN.
There is no information here as to the
object of General Fitzhugh Lees return
to this country at this particular time
The Consul-General to Cuba has not
been granted any leave of absence by
the State Department, nor has he asked
for any. He was at perfect liberty to
return here at any time, or whenever I'm
his judgment 1t might be safe and wise
to do so. The matter OF leave of absence
will easily be arranged after his arrival
here, as was the case year ago. 1t is
presumed that the island being i'm a state
OF comparative tranquility, General Lee
took advantage of the fact TO pay visit
to his family and look after his private
affairs while at home. There is certainly
no official significance in his return, and
II Is straining a point TO predict that he
comes home to begin political cam
paign two years ahead, or to aspire to
the presidency of the University of Vir-
ginia. an office which has no existence.
The statement that he may not return
to Cuba lacks confirmation at the State
Department. No successor to him has
yet been considered, and it Is fair to pre-
sumo that the country is so well salts
fled with his services that the President
will crafty the people irrespective OF
party, in requesting him TO remain in
definitely in his present position. 1t
may not be any mistake 10 say that
General Lee will probably remain in Ha-
bana until the termination OF the strug-
gle in Cuba, and perhaps will not have
to wait many months to witness that
much-desired event.
Rev. DR.. Talmage. who has been alb
sent East and West during his vacation.
returned to the city this afternoon.
Personal ITEMS.
Colonel o. w. Dudley, of Danville. who
is a member of Governor OFerralPs STAFF,
and a large tobacco manufacturer. pass
ed through yesterday. on his way TO Buff
falo. N. T., where he goes on important
business.
SUPERINTENDENT o. NJ. Sadler. of the
Southern Express Company, whose head
quarters are at Charlotte. N. c.. has
been in the city for day or TWO. he
left for home last evening.
CONGRESSMAN Claude A. Swanson has
been here, with his clerk, Mr.. III. e.
Cowles. preparing the brief In the contest
of his election in the Fifth Virginia DIS
trict by John r. Brown. MT. swanson
left for Chatham to-day.
James w. Anderson. Richmond, va;
NJ. ]. Moore Newport News. Va; Will
liam p. Moore, Mrs. Mann. Miss cora
Parkinson, Mrs. Ritter, MISS Hichinsoot-
tom. Mrs. j. G. Barnes. Mrs. Miller. OF
Norfolk. Va; Il. p. Trotman. Suffolk. Va.
"a National |