The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-02
WILSON CONES 70 SEATTLE.
THE z. 3. SENATOR SPENDING THE
HOLIDAYS At HOME.

H an Interview He Says Civil Ser
vice n Established by Cleveland
Must BE Chsnxed-wil~oa and
the Surveyor General Matter.
United States Senator Wilson reached
Seattle last evening from Spokane. having
made short stop ar Tacoma en- route.
Inless his plans are changed Senator VII
son viii remain at the Rainier-Grand hotel
unti Monday afternoon. when he Will
again leave for Washington. This Is she
nrS time IN ten years that the states SEN
Tor senator has spent the holidays at or
near his home. He stated last night that
he had called upon PresideHe Mckinley
just before leaving. and was assured by
the chief executive that IL was a good SEN
stor who would spend mis- Christmas at
MS nome when ne could. Upon such en-
enlargement Senator Wilson made hurried
preparations and started west. II spent
one day IN Chicago. one day in ST. Paul
and two days in Spokane" said he. My
visit. as / say. IS simply 10 be among my
friends during the holidays and has no po-
Hucal significance" Several politicians
called on him during the evening.
Senator Wilson was asked concerning the
action being taken in relation 20 the civil
service and the feeling that prevails in off,
law. He said: There must be a relief
from the measure as it stands. and / be-
lieye that this relief will be found IN
modification OF the Cleveland order, ex-
tending the classified service TO cover
5000 more Federal offfceholders. Unless
something is done the friction VIII become
SO great that the result will be breaking
down of the law entirely. Presidential and
other Official appointees should and must,
for the best interests Of everybody. have
the selection OF the help they want in their
offices. l refer particularly 10 private sec
retaries and important deputies who are
entrusted with the handling of funds II is
very apparent that the existing law is sub
ject to notifications that will be to its adj
vantage
President Mckinley is in favcr OF civil
service, but / can hardly believe that he
approves of the order made during the last
month of President Cleveland's term. Even
the staunchest supporters OF civil service
measures did not look to see such a blank
e. thrown over all of the classified service.
As result there are thousands included IN
the different orders who could not pass
any kind OF examination were they re-
ouired to do so to retain their positions,
and they obtain rating upon punctnality
and points OF that kind that give .
large number of points in their favor"
Senator Wilson was asked as 10 his atti-
tude toward the Dyea SUPPORT of entry.
and, in making his answer plain. he
sketched the various towns of Alaska that
are adjacent 10 Dyea, naming them as he
drew them-Juneau, Stka and Skaguay.
''If the SUPPORT at Dyea Is knocked out,
the Canadians will retaliate by building a
railroad, and 1 am informed that they al
ready have the funds 10 carry out such
a project. They can harass us greatly.
and undoubtedly would do so II the sub
port were discontinued. / have taken the
matter up with Secretary Gage, and at one
time discussed the proposition with him
for three hours. l presented TO him all OF
the memorials that have been sent to me
bearing on the subject and all of the edi-
torials that have been printed in regard
to it's maintenance or discontinuance."
Another matter that Senator Wilson
touched upon in a general discussion Of
public affairs was the relief expedition TO
the klondike. 81 know that there was an
appropriation of S2000I0 made for such a
relief expedition. and that 1t is in the
hands of the secretary of war;" he said.
''As to the means OF accomplishing the
ends of this intention you know as much
about Il as / do The department is in
vestigatiRg the best routes and is salts
fed that il any measure of suffering can
be averted by sending in supplies that
can be sold, the objects of the appropria
ton will have been attained There have
been many arguments for and against the
expedition. Some say that the condition IS
desperate one and others that there -
ample food In the Upper Yukon districts
to ward off any distress. The appropria-
ton was made quickly. with very little
discussion, except in executive session.
As far as Gen. Alger is concerned I do
not believe that he is aware that there Is
any contention, and there is no disposition
TO interfere with private enterprise The
NAtnIi ttr.x,
Army post matters are progressing
smoothly, and the stumbling blocks are
those that viii be speedily removed. The
last feature, leading toward a comnlete
settlement. Is that relating to the water
privileges that some Of the holders OF the
Kad have demanded. You may saw that
the final adjustment OF the various fea-
lures of titles. etc, Will soon be made I
wish TO extend to the state a happy New
Year and the state certainly has much
10 be thankful for and much more to hone
Tor The whole country IS prosperous and
is TO be congratulated"
In reference 20 Washington City CORE
spondence under date of December % and
published in the Post-Tntelligencer of De-
cember 20 relative 10 the issues in the Of
fee OF Surveyor General Watson at OIynn-
pia. Senator Wilson said: 1T is nroner for
me TO state that after the election Mr.
watson expressed TO me desire to serve
our his term. and interviewed myself re-
garding the matter. I gave him the assur-
ance as far as I was concerned that he
would not he disturbed In time his Office
by the customary procedure was exam
ined. and the result was a finding of fault
in its discipline OF which ii is not neces-
sary 10 GO into detail. 7 knew nothing O.
the investigation until General Land Com
missioner Hermann asked me TO cali at hi.
office Mr.. Hermann said 10 me that the
report or the surveyor-generaTs Office OF
Washington was OF that character that
certain changes were necessary. especially
in respect TO the positions of chief clerk
and one OF the draughtsmen. ! told the
commissioner of my original promise 10
Mr.. Watson. and he replied that in that
case Il might be possible for Watson N
remain. The changes suggested Mr. Wat
son was asked 10 make aud he PEP
emptorlly refused 70 do. After the com
missioner had advised me OF the situation
wrote 10 Olympia, 70 a friend asking
him 90 see Watson ard consult and advise
with him. Mr. Watson states In his letter
that ! wrote as follows:
II Watson will take a suggestion 7
think he had better send me his resigna-
ton, not for use. but for his protection
have told him that e was my intention
70 make a change. / still adhere TO what
have said. and shall. carry II out ig ii is
IN my power Ia DO so. etc. etc. Above al
things. he must demand the resignation o.
his sub0rdinstes
This ls what did say"--and Senator
Wilson produced a copy Of Us letter
II Watson will take a suggestion from
ne, think ne had better send ne his res
isnation not for use. but for his protec-