Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-22
MAY NOT BE VALID.
NICE POINT RAISED AS TO CIVIL
SERVICE EXAMINATION.
NOT CONDUCTED BY REVENUE MAN.
Bethel Is Favored for the Customs
CoIIcctorsbip - His Appointment
Over the Chief Deputy's Place.

Some doubt has arisen as TO the validity
Of the civil service examination. which
was held In the cust0m-house building
last Saturday.
The examination was for positions In
the internal revenue department, and
should have been conducted by the Civil
Service Examining Board Of that depart
ment. which is composed Of Mr.. John
Enders. Jr., Mr. f. Bruce Cook. and Mr.
T.. c. Denoon. The two last-named gen.
tlemen we're removed from Office by
Colonel Brady, the new Collector. Mr..
Finders was called to his desk by his
superior officer Just after the examina-
ton had begun. and Postmaster Culling-
worth was requested to allow Mr. Fitz-
gerald, Of the Postal Service Examining
Board. to conduct the examination. The
request was granted. but the point has
been raised as TO whether or not Mr..
Fitzgerald was legally authorized to con-
duct an internal revenue examination.
II is believed. however, that Colonel
Brady would not have made the ar
rangement had it not been within the
limits Of the law. Most Of those who
applied for examination were non-resi-
dents.
Mr. Enders said yesterday that there
was nothing Informal or irregular about
the examination. and that it was un-
questionably valid. Mr. Fitzgerald con
CURED in the latter part Of the state
ment, but said that the mode Of pro-
cedure was certainly irregular
WON'T REMOVE THE OFFICE.
The new deputies in the internal reve-
nue. department have become thoroughly
conversant with their duties, and the
machinery Of the Office moves without a
hitch. The amount Of the collections
yesterday was $5.1515i
Yesterday was the fourth anniversary
OF Mr.. Ryan's appointment as Collector,
when he succeeded Colonel Brady. II
Is not believed that the new Collector
intends TO move his office to Petersburg.
Mr. Wray Knight said yesterday that
Colonel Brady was making all arrange
ments as If he intended to keep his Of
flee here The Inconvenience. he said.
would be very little, as Colonel Brady
will continue to 90 TO his home in Peters
burg every afternoon on the 2:15 train,
as he does at present.
THE COLLECTORSHIP OF CUSTOMS.
The Republicans seem fairly confident
that Mr.. John S. Bethel will be appoint
ed Collector Of Customs before the 1st day
Of October. He has, however. strong
opponent In Mr.. II. T.. Cook, who is back
ed by the endorsement of the Grand Army
post and many members Of Confederate
organizations. The Brady-Waddiii fac
ton is Unequivocally in favor of Bethel,
and Mr.. Wray knight said yesterday that
his appointment was a foregone conclu
sion.
There has been a rift in the Lutte of
Republican harmony on the subject, how
ever as Mr.. Bethel wanted Mr. Lewis
Tucker for his chief deputy. and the
party leaders strongly objected, and in
sisted that Mr.. Frank Murphy should
receive the plum. Mr.. Bethel's objection
was as natural as IL was vigorous, for
Tucker was his deputy when he last
held the office, and 1t Is said that an
arrangement was made as TO the division
of salaries. 1t is a remarkable fact that
the Collector only gets abe $3.50 year,
and his deputy about 5000. Mr.. Frank
Murphy, on the other hand, intends. IT Is
said, to keep the full fruits of his toll,
and thus the prospective Collector sees
one of his self-made perquisities vanish
ing into thin air.