The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-06-21
OFFICIAL DELINQUENCY.
Col. McCardell Throws Hot Shot In the
Camp Of The GOrmanites.
ANNAPOLIS, June II, 1900.

right merrilly at his desk in the office,
at Annapolis, muddling the funds ac-
count and spelling pay warrants. He
had handed over the crank of the
Carroll county machine to his old col
league, the Hon. "Budle" Hoffaker,
while he enjoyed the brief run to An
napolis, but it was evident his mind
was not at ease. 1t takes time to
travel down to Annapolis and it takes
time to get back, and therefore there
were but few hours to waste in the
Comptroller's office. Something might
possibly get wrong with the Demo-
cratic machinery of Carroll while he
was absent. Hoffacker might write
another letter; DR.. Herring might for
get some instruction, and-in short
Chief Clerk CrOuse's work in the des-
tructiOn of trusts is of more import
ance TO the country just now than
the unimpOrtant routine of the Comp
troller's Office and so for the summer
and until after the election he re-
nounces the whole situation except
the salary attachment. This is his
intention, as he stated it himself.
But what does the Comptroller
think of it? He knows the condition
of affairs existing in the Office over
which the people elected him to p,e-
side, beyond all doubt He was NOM
mated in order to give the cOmbina-
tiOn of Smith, Vandiver and Herring
a veneer of respectability, and he
turns out to be mere puppet in their
hands. He confessed his weakness
and lack of force of character when
he admitted-as he did, and it can be
proven-that he was allowed to name
but one clerk in his office. Who did
he surrender the appointments to:
To John Walter Smith one: to Sena-
tor Hubner, of Baltimore county, one;
to Alonzo l.. Miles one. To the re-
manning one we shall devote an entire
letter in the not distant future, and
it will contain some interesting revela-
tions
But to return to DR.. Herring whose
mildness of character and eminent re-
spectability contributed not a little
to Democratic success last fall. and
has since found it's elimination in
the selection of d Chief Clerk whose
fragrant neglect of duty has become
a public scandal. He was not in Of
flee three months before his tender
consideration for certain national
banks and other corporations began
to manifest itself. The books will
show that in plain violation Of law he
abated portion of taxes Of several
Baltimore National Banks and other
corporations, then overdue for the
year 1899. No reason was assigned
for the act. No valid one could be
given. The order was simply issued,
and of course it was obeyed, and it
stands to-day upon the books with
out explanation.
Surely this is discouraging begin
ming for high official whose estab-
lished purity Of character was to atone
in some measure for the shelf-worn
Vandiyer and the office -brokering
Smith. Why Office -brokering? Simp-
ly because his actions show clearly
that he has no higher appreciation of
the dignity of his position than to
use it to secure places for his friends.
followers and relations. especially the
latter. The proof? W. w. Bowie,
one of Gov. Smiths Inspectors of To-
bocco, openly declares that he receiv-
ed his appointment with the positive
understanding that Gov. Smith and
his closest friends were to make all
the appointments in his warehouse
down to the humblest labOror. Isaac
5. Nutwell, another Tobacco Inspect
or, makes the same statement: j.
Frank Smith, the Chief Inspector. de
clares that he was allowed to appoint
but three of his force, whereas the
law places all the subordinate ap-
pointments at his disposal; General
Saunders, Adjutant General, in the
innocense of his heart, never doubted
his right to select his own clerk. and
did so. But he reckOned without his
host. Murray Vandiver wanted the
place for Hartford county man, and
Gen. Saunders was compelled to dis
charge the gentleman he had appoint
ed, and give the place to Mr.. Vandi-
ver's man. The new appointee has
openly expressed his determination
not to allow the duties of clerk to the
Adjutant General to interfere with
his business in Baltimore, but he
will graciously condescend to come
down to Annapolis occasionally.
In the Land Office there are now
four clerks, an increase of one under
the new regime. 1t is safe to say
there is hardly constant employment
for two. One of the new appointees
is Mr.. Brewington, of Wicomico. |
think, | do not know whether Mr..
BrpWin nptOn has rnoda his a ,,,,ao ro ma