The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-25
MACLAY, IS
 DISCHARGED Summary Action Taken
 by Long HE DECLINED zREslGN
 -$ President Dta' ted That He Be 7 d Out The Secretary of the Navy Says This Puts an End to Case-The Letter from Maclay to Barker.

Washington, Dec. A-Secretary Long has discharged Edgar s. Maclay from his position as a skilled laborer in the Brook lyn navy yard. MT Maclay having refus- ed to resign when requested to do so. Mir Maclay is the author of a naval history and in it's last volume sharply criticised Admire al Schley and denounced him as caitiff, poltroon and coward.
 Secretary Longs action was taken by direction of the President, and followed a conference between the President and the Secretary. who took to t.e " N---te House with hm letter from Macldy in response to the request for his re. ig la- ton sent by the Secretary last Satu. uay In this letter Maclay submitted that he could not be removed or be compelled to resign without definite charges being made against him and without having an opportunity toaanswer those charges AL though the civil serVice Iul~- O. t--.- pIoyes of the public service the oppOr- tunity of answering charges that may be preferred against them, the President ex- ercised his prerogatlves in tine present in- stance and directed Maclay's removal, 1t being held that the latter was aware unofficially, if not officially, of the req sons which actuated the Executive in taking the course determined upon
 Secretary Long said the action taken today would dispose of the case finally. Maelay's letter to Secretary Long, re- plying to the request for his resignation, Is as follows:
 Navy Yard, New York.
 'ofice of the General Storekeeper,
 December g. 1901. Rear Admiral Albert S. B lrker, U. S. N, Commandant Navy Yord. New York: "Sir-I have the honor of acknowledg- ing the receipt of your communication of this date, in which you forward the fol- lowing communication of this date from the honorable Secretary of the Navy:
 "1 am directed by the President to ask Edgar S. Maclay, special laborer, General Storekeeper's OfIice,- Navy Yard. New York, to send in his resignation q respectfully submit that I was regu- larly appointed to my present position after having duly passed a clerks exam ination in accordance with all the re- quirements of the civil service regula- tions and therefore cannot be removed or be compelled to resign without definite charges being made against me and without having an opportunity to answer those charges l have been in this office fifteen months, have been promoted for efficiency and so far as l know, my work mas been SaISIaCJOfy CO my SupeIlOT. l have violated no rules or regulations of this office or of the navy yard, so far as I am aware.
 Such being the case. I feel that it would not only be an injustice to myself to, resign under such circumstances, but 1t would be establishing precedent that vitally concerns thousands of civil ser vice employees, both national and State.
 "Very respectfully yours,
 Edgar S. Maclay." Secretary Long's dispatch to Rear Ad- miral Barker directing Maclay's removal was as follows:
 Washington, D. C.. Dec. 24. 1901. ITO Rear Admiral A. S. Barker, U. S. N, Command Navy Yard New York: By direction of President, Edgar s. Maclay is discharged. Notify him.
 Long"