The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-09
sAvANNAH's NEW COLLECTOR.
Col. Deveaux Named on the Last Day
of Collector Beckwfth's Term

of Collector Beckwfth's Term.
Col. John H. Deveaux has been named
collector OF customs at Savannah, and the
! agony is over so far as the Republican
politicians are concerned. Many white
Democrats are inclined to think. however,
that the agony has just begun, and those
Democrats who practically bolted The
party at the last national election seem to
take 1t hardest of all.
The appointment hardly came as a sur
prise, because il had been expected for
several weeks. At the same time there
was a general hope that something might
happen TO avert what many regarded as a
catastrophe. Ever since the recent con-
ference, however, between the President
and the Georgia Republican leaders, when
it was announced that Blum should be
postmaster at Savannah, and Deveaux
collector, and that Lyons should not be
appointed to the postoffice at Augusta,
there has been little doubt of the result.
The Georgia senators will OF course pro-
test against this appointment and will
endeavor to prevent the confirmation. In
their effort they will have the support of
numerous protests from Savannah. There
is little reason to hope. however that they
will be successful The white Republican
party in Georgia evidently occupies a very
small space in the Presidential view, and
tuc bidCh tASpuDllcduS are IN the saddle.
The administration of President McI<in-
ley will have the honor of being the first
to appoint colored man to a federal office
OF prominence i'm Savannah notwit hstan1-
ing the several extreme Republican admin
istrations through which the country has
passed since the war.
When the news of Col. Deveaux's ap-
pointment spread throughout the business
section there was a general expression of
dissatisfaction, frequently couched in
strong language. What form of public ex-
preston will be given 10 this dissatisfac-
ton cannot be stated as yet but il is
hardly doubted that some action will be
taken whether 1t will be of any avail Is
a question
Collector j. f. B. Beckwith was one of
Inc first to hear the news of Col. De-
Neauxs appointment. He had nothing to
say on the subject when asked by a Morn
ing News reporter. Collector Beckwith
has had the satisfaction of serving out his
run term OF office, to-day rounding up his
1uIl Tour years of service with the govern
ment. 1t is needless to say that his duties
have been satisfactorily performed and
that the service has been a very plea sa MT
one for Mr.. Beckwith.
Mr.. W. r. Leaken, who was present ar
the conference in Washington when the
appointments of Blum and Deveaux was
decided upon, was seen. Things did NOT
as to the disposition of the federal pat
ronage at Savannah, and declined to be
interviewed. IL was evident, however
that ne was not very we'll pleased with the
result --O
Mr.. Joseph f. Doyle, who has been In
washington Tor the last ten days, endeav-
oring to change the Presidents mind on
the subject Of the collectorship. was ex-
pected home last night Private advices
from Washington state that Mr.. DOYLE was
very much disappointed at the failure of
ms EFFORTS. He realized a day or two ago
that further effort was useless, and accord
lngly started for home before the appoint
ment was announced. Capt. M. ]. Doyle is
out of the city.
Col. John H. Deveaux. who has been
named as collector, Is well known to the
citizens of Savannah, having lived here all
OF ms life He has always borne an excel
lent reputation in his dealings. and as no
charges heVe been brought against his
character or previous conduct this ac-
counted in some measure, it is believed. for
his success in obtaining the appointment i'm
the face of strong opposition, He was a
clerk In the custom house under several
republican administratio tons. On the cleo
ton OF Mr. Cleveland in 1884 he went ont
with other Republican appointees. on the
election of President Harrison in 1888. he
secured the collectorship of the port of
- NiASNiNh' II ID Sdlu Lnat IN securing this
appointment he had endorsements from
prominent business men in Savannah. as
TO his character and ability, and these in
dorsements are said to have been used with
good effect in securing the collectorship at
savannah, being produced in rebuttaI of
the protests made here against his appoint
ment. He is colonel of the First Georgia
Battalion of colored troops, and is an eff
hcient military officer.
The new collector win enjoy very COM
Portable salary, the fees of the office
ranging from 800 to 81, 500 a year. The
patronage of the Office is small, practically
all the employees of the custom house hav-
ing been included under the civil service
rules during Mr.. Cleveland's last admins
trauon. There Is some question whether
the deputy collector is included under the
civil service, but Mr.. Paul johnson. who
has efficiently discharged the duties of that
position for many years, will I'M
questionably be retained in any event. II
is not expected that there win be any i'm
mediate designations among the white
employees of the custom house. as these
come directly under the supervision of Mr..
johnson.
TRIED TO DIE BY POISON.