The Sunday globe., 1901-06-09
THE CHIEF CLERK
Of the Agricultural Department
and His "Pull."
UP TO SECRETARY WILSON
Whether He will Fin" Captain Gsddes and
DiSObIIge Senator Allison or Lei The Depart
ment be Further OemOraled A Rotten
State Of Affairs Since the Er-Amy Officer
Became Mr.. Wilson's Chief Clerk

DbUdWB W.T., wilson Gnl6I Gl6fk,
The Agricultural Department is an
Anguean stable which badly needs a
thorough cleaning out and an inter-
mittent fumigation. The chapter the
Globe lays before the public this morn
ing is more or less emsaculated Of its
vitality because of our policy to spare
the woman when trying to get at the
man. II is difficult undertaking, as
every male rascal who is amenable to
criticism and who ought to stand in
the prisoners dock instead Of loiter-
ing in a Government office chair. hides
his misefeasance and immoral conduct
behind the skirts Of some woman, frail
or otherwise, over whom he has author
ity as Office chief or outside lover, and
the newspaper with the interests Of
the public in view, which tries to puri-
ty this prosperity administration" Of
william | from the male parasites who
have fastened themselves to the Gov
ernment udder has, indeed, a serious
time Of it trying to escape libel suits
and tell the truth.
Not that the Editor Of the Globe
cares for libel suits as particularly OBJ
iectiOnable incidents of conducting a
live newspaper, but mere is a natural
repugnance in the breasts Of all men
except some Of the rascally high Gov
ernment officials-to appear as defend
ant to female plaintiffs suit in vindi-
cation of her character. Hence the
Globe would have its informants and
contributors eliminate the woman in
the case as much as possible from
their valued favors; and overlook the
blue penciling of the editor for the
reasons assigned
There is hardly a doubt but the ser
vice in the Department of Agriculture
will be greatly benefited If Chief Clerk
Andrew Geddes is removed. This Is
not only the opinion of almost every Of
ficer and employee Of that Department,
but Of many public men and citizens Of
Washington His ministration of Of.
fee during the past four years has
been one of varied troubles, not only to
himself but to Secretary James Wilson
and a number Of high officials and en-.
plOyees Of the Department
Geddes is an Iowa man. At the time
Of the incoming Of the Republican Ad.
ministration, four years ago, he was
an employee Of the Pension Bureau.
when Mr.. Wilson was given the agri-
cultural portfolio of the Cabinet, he
appointed Geddes his private secre.
tary pending the appointment Of a
new Chief Clerk for the Department.
In spite of the tremendous pressure
brought to bear by other candidates for
this position, Secretary Wilson ignored
everything, and in a few months time
appointed Geddes at the urgent re-
quest of Senator Allison, of Iowa. The
reason for this action can be well un-
derstood when people are apprised Of
the fact that Geddes is a first cousin
Of Senator Allison, and that the latter
is wholly responsible for Wilson's Sc
lection as a member Of the Cabinet
Mr. Geddes conducted his office for
about year without any friction, but
finally upon his securing appointments
for a large number Of his relatives in
the Department, his trOubR began. So
far as heard, the following are his rel
atyes now holding positions in the De.
partment of Agriculture: Mrs. Morgan
sister-in-law; Mr. Towers, a brother
inlaw; Mr. Carter, a brotherin-law;
Mr.. TOney Geddes, a cousin: Mr. VIII
Richards, a nephew, and two others,
whose names can not be learned Mr.
Geddes trouble began when a number
of his relatives declared to their asso-
ciate employees that they did not have
to work, that they were relatives of
Geddes, and were not compelled to un.
dergo the daily grind of duties assign.
ed them, as others were compelled to
do, And they did not work, either.
The result was that the chiefs Of the
bureaus where they We're severally EN-.
ployed complained to the Chief Clerk,
and the matter, for want of his atten-
tion or hearing, was taken to the Sec
retary. At an arraignment each was
given to understand that If they vlo-
lated the rules in the future in any
wise they would be discharged at once,
and with a good lecture, we're sent
back to their posts of duty.
It was not long until another diff
Guilty arose. This time # involved the
Chief Clerks relative He was charged
with having insulted a handsome
young widow, who was in the employ
of the seed division. She went to the
Secretary, and he was permitted to
stay through the pleading Of Geddes,
though the former was given to under
stand that he must apologize to the
young woman and thereafter conduct
himself with the best of department.
1t is unnecessary to say that the young
man gladly apologized His reprimand
by the Secretary met with great salts.
faction among the ladies' Of that divi.
sion who were acquainted with the af.
fair
Chief Clerk Geddes' real trouble as
an official commenced about a year or
so ago.
A young lady took ill., She remained
away from Office about two months
This unfortunate young lady's name
will not be mentioned, as the Globe is
not making war on frail women. but
on the men who are responsible for or
cover their frailty through interested
motives,
The girl was absent from the Depart.
ment for several months, and the pay
rolls show that she drew her pay reg
ularly every two weeks all the time
she was away The disbursing officer
let Geddes draw her pay and send It to
her regularly She was allowed sick
leave for several months, which was a
direct violation Of the law. In course
Of several months the young woman
reported to her office and returned to