The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-28
TOO ACTIVELY PARTISAN
Local Democrats Want Assessor
Darneille Removed.
The Assessors Attack Upon Senator
Charges of War Department Irrcg-
ufnrities-Funds for the Campaign.

meeting of the East Washington
Democratic Association, held las rit h
at McCauley's Hall. was we'll atte nded '.y
the followers of Bryan and Stevenson IN
that section of the city. The two featu- es
of the meeting were the disclosures OF
alleged irregularities in the War d p5rt-
ment by John E. Cole. and the adoption
of resolutions calling for the remj al
from office of the Assessor OF the Dis
trict, H. H. Darneille.
President Cotter 7. Bride called the
meeting to order, and introduced Gel W.
C. Mcintyre. who discussed the issues of
the campaign.
Mr.. Mcintyre read extracts of the
treaty with the Sultan of the Snlu
Islands when acquired by this Govern
ment. He commented at some lengta
upon the support given in that d dc'm mt
by President McKinleys AdministIa lion
to the practices of polygamy ami slavery
in vogue in the islands, guaranteeing to
the natives his protection in the exer ise
of those customs.
Judge o. B. Hallam read an extract
from the Evening Star of recent ds:e
which was signed by the Assessor OF The
District, H. II. Darnielle, commenting
upon Senator Wellington. and offered the
following resolution. which was adopte1:
Whereas there appeared recently in the Even
ing Star" newspaper OF this city a communica
tion from Hopewea Hebb Darneilla, who holds
the Office of Assessor of the District of Columbia,
in which he not only stated distinctly that it
was written a Republican partisan, but
exceedingly scurillous. personally, toward Sena
tor OF the United States.
And whereas il is the theory of the Government
of the District that its officers shall be divided
between the several political parties, and that
they shall not participate actively. or at least not
orensively, in any political contest.
Resolved. That il is the sense of this clue
that the action of said Darneille in writing such
a letter was gross breach of propriety, and a
fragrant act of offensive partisanship. in vio-
latioH Of his implied obligation in accepting
said office: and merits decisive action the part
OF the Commissioners of the District, TO the
extent of his removal from cffice.
Resolved further, That copy OF these Tesolu-
tons be forwarded TO the District Commission
ors together with a copy OF the letter COM
planned Of.
John E. Cole, formerly an employe OF
the Quartermaster Generals Department.
was the next speaker. He announced him
self as a Republican. and suggested that as
such the Democrats might be enabled TT
perceive the sentiments that were actu
ating Republicans all over the country TO
withdraw frUm party ranks. Mr.. Cole's
address was taken up largely with re-
view OF his experiences in the War De-
partment and the rottenness in admins
tration which he claims to have
found there. He explained that he
entered the Quartermsster Generals
once an emergency clerk, and
was promoted TO correspondence clerk. In
this position he discovered defects IN tho
system, resulting in mistakes. Indifference
and incompetency. He called those things
to the attention of his chief but receive
scant attention and evasiye replies. Mr.
Cole thus described an interview he had
with an army officer:
Il was called before one of the army Of
fcers OF the War Departm ent l had heard
of the brutality of army officers, and have
seen it since in the tyranny exercised over
many clerks This attitude is one that de-
feats the purposes of civil service.
II vas notified that the officer
wanted TO see me. The reason was this: l
had sent through bundle of vouchers in
volving over 81 000 COO. which had become
side-tracked. and the people who were in
terested in the payments were growing
anxious. The officer was much exer-
cised over the matter, and there was
suspicion that | was derelict in my duty.
This was afterward proven not to be so.
But my name came into discussion and
the complaints l had made concerning the
system were brought to the attention ot
the officer.
Il went to his room and announced my
self to him. There was something in the
motion Of his hand that / considered in
vited me TO be seated. and l started to do
so. Stand upi I'll tell you when to sit
down in my presence, was the remark
with which | was greeted. Imagine my
humiliation. | still smart from the insult" {"
After the conclusion OF Mr.. Coles re-
marks, a letter was read from James X
Jones. Chairman, and W. ]. Stone, Vice
Chairman, of the Democratic National
Committee. requesting contributions from
club members. in which was conveyed the
promise OF Mr.. Hearst to duplicate every
contribution made. Fifteen dollars was
added TO the amount previously collected,
making a total of s15S.
President Bride reported contribution
of $50 made by lifelong Republican who
had presented him this amount with the
statement that he had been paying for
revenue stamps to aid in the suppression
of liberty y-seeking Filipinos long enough
and that he now wished to contrib4te
something to suppress the suppressors.
A BRYAN FLAG RAISING.