The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-17
DID NOT LIKE THE CHANCES.
WRIGHT DECLINED IN ORDER TO
AVOID SENATORIAL OBJECTIONS.

inside story of the Supervisor
ship-BepOrted That senator
Bacon Would Oppose Conformation.
Wright Conferred with the Presi-
dent and Decided to Come Down.
Something Better Was offered.
Wright RecOnsidcred Later.
Washington, Aug. 16.-(SpeciaD There
is Washington end TO the Blum Wright
story. which does not agree with the i'm
pressions gwen out in Savannah by Prof.
Wright and his friends. According to the
records here, Prof Wright was not forced
to decline the census supervisorship, but
he did SO upon the assurance that he
might have a more lucrative position in
connection with the taking of the census.
Here is the story given out by the Of
ficials, who are fully aware of all the cir
cumstances surrounding Prof. Wrights
case. Wright, as originally stated in these
dispatches. was selected as supervisor of
the census for the Savannah district. OBJ
lection to Wrights appointment was at
once raised in Savannah, and it was said
that Senator Bacon would autagonize his
confirmation in the Senate.
When these reports reached Director Of
Census Merriam he sent for Wright to
come to Washington for consultation.
When Wright arrived here he
went to the White House with MIR.
Merriam, The subject was fully dis
cussed and the question was raised
whether Wright could afford to subject
himself 20 probable rejection by the SEN
ate for an appointment which only lasts
a few months and pays about 81 1000. II
was suggested that, In view of the oppo-
siton TO him, he might decline the SUI
pervisorship and accept an appointment
as special agent Of the census, which pays
Sc per day and travelling expenses
The decision was left to Prof Wright
as the President stated that he would
stand by the original appointment II the
professor so decided In the presence OF
the President and Director Merriam
Wright state that he would decline the
supervisorship 1t was clearly understood
that his action was voluntary. for the
President again assured him that the de.
cision must be of his own making.
The interview concluded, Wright return.
ed to Savannah, and the President taking
| him at his word, appointed MIR. Blum tc
supervise the Savannah district. Some
time afterward the President received
letter from Wright, stating that after
consultation with his political and per
sonal friends, he could not afford [,
| be placed in the attitude OF declining tn,
supervisorship, lie requested the Presden
! to disregard his declination and decid,
4 the question according to his own view
/ of the situation. The President decline,
| TO assume the responsibility of forcinl
/ Wright to decline which appears to hav'
! been the intention of the latter. Havinl
! taken Wright at his word in the first in
! stance the President decided that IN,
| matter should stand as Wright original,
| left 1t after his voluntary declinatlon.
! 1t is asserted here that after declinin,
the position Wright was chided by hi
! political followers for giving up a position
| which would enable him TO name man,
of the census enumera tors in his district
! He desires to retain his hold upon Ger
! Tain political element in Savannah, an,
! is charged with posing as martyr an,
| the victim of political treachery on tn
part Of certain Republican leaders in tn
/ state.
This IS the official and inside story 0
Prof Wnghts declnaton.