The sun., 1901-11-11

the Wholesale Removal Of Complais-
ant Inspectors Are Now Allied with
the Ex.Inspectors' Political Backers.
President Roosevelt has not decided vet
whether or not he will retain Collector
George r. Bidwell A number Of up
country Republicans have joined in the
movement TO get Bidwell out. and to have
President Roosevelt appoint one Of
their number In his place. The President
will not make up his mind in this matter
until after he has had another talk with
Senator Thomas C. Platt Senator Platt
Is to have this talk with the President In
about ten days.
The situation about the New York Fed
eral appointments has become 30 grave
that il Is time that all the facts should be
known. Four years ago President MoKin-
Icy made Mr.. Bidwell Collector on the
recommendation of the Republican organi-
zations OF the county and the State. Mr..
Bidwell was a Buffalo man originally, but
he came TO New York city about twenty
years ago. He had been an active busi-
ness man. A number of years ago Mr..
Bidwell became Vice-Presdent of the Re-
publican County Committee and leader OF
the Nineteenth Assembly district.
year ago Collector Bidwell discovered
that great deal of smuggling was per-
mitted at this port. He consulted with
President Mckinley. Secretary Of the
T reasury Gage and Senator Platt. and
told them Of his discoveries. President
Mckinley told the Collector to 60 ahead
and root out the evil. SO did Secretary
Gage. So did Senator Platt, and so did
Senator Depew. Collector Bidwell went
right to work He did not desire any un-
necessary scandal, but he had not gone
very far before he found that he would run
up against some of the very wealthiest
men in New York city who had been fro
quent travellers abroad. That didn't make
any difference with Collector Bidwell, and
as a result OF his investigation seventy
two inspectors were removed from ONCE.
Some of these inspectors were Reputli-
cans. some Cleveland Democrats and some
Tammany Democrats. From that time
to this the customs revenues at the port
of New York have been greatly swelled
Men who had never paid duty in their lives
on dutiable articles brought in in their
baggage have been compelled 10 pay duty.
As an evidence of the exact situation the
records on file in the Office OF the Secretary
of the Treasury at Washington show that
for the period from April Of this year TO
Oct Of this year the customs receipts
at the port Of New York were sG50,00O more
than they were during tho same period
last year, and before Mr.. Bdwoll had put
out those seventy-two inspectors.
Among the men removed was William
! b ,cbe OF Rockland county, great friend
Of Gov Odell Gov. Odell protested against
Beebes removal Gov. Odell and Collector
Bidwell met in the Fifth Avenue Hotel
several months ago and Gov. odell said to
Collector dwell:
.You have removed this man B,ebe un-
justly aud have almost wrecked his repu-
tation by this removal"
.Gov Odell.- replied Mr., dwell, do
YOU want Mr. Ba-bn's record? II you do
! will send IL 20 you, and you will see whether
| or not have tr>atcd Mr 'ebe your friend.
unfairly
| Gov Odell several months ago opposed
| Collector B dwell. retention. All Of the
friends of he men who were removed by
! Collector n dwell protested 20 President
Mckinley against Mr Biiwell- reappoint-
/ ment President Mckinley went al over
/ the,a complaints with Secretary Gage.
I and for an answer President Mckinley
I on April 20 ia-t reappont"d Mr dwell
! for another term Of four years President
/ Mckinley made THE appointment two
months before Mr Blsell's term had
/ c.nlred. .4yng, 'B dwell ha- earned tis
distinction
Secretary Gage and A. 'sut Secretary
| Staula.uR have pul II,it ANNOUNCED that
! Coll..ctor q dwell la- mai' 'h. ba't Col
| l..tnf of u." Por Nc~ iarN uas 's'r had.
ra.A Id. ~