New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-26
PEACE OR 4 CLEANING OUT.
RtMOR THAT DISQUIETS CUSTOM
HOUSE CIRCLES.
sIIARKEy AND wAKEMAN SAY THAT THERE
Is no TROUBLE AND THAT THEY
EXPECT REAFPOINTMENT.

collector George r. Bidwell, Appraiser Wilbur
r. Wckeuan. Naval C.,icer Robert 4. sharkey
and Silas c. Croft Surveyor OF the Port all
figure in a story that circulated yesterday at
the Custom House.
Senator PIatt's return from Washington on
Sunday night. with his subsequent announce
ment that he did not know anything about the
appointment OF successor TO NIr Wa}Sens3n n.
doubtless gave rise to certain rumors yester-
day that proved dsqu!eting TO the officials
named. II seems that the friction between the
Collectors and the Appraisers office has not
died ont and II recently came to the ears Of
Secretary Gage that Mr.. Wakeman's enemies
We're preparing for fresh onslaught on him.
with the idea OF securing his removal by the
President The Appraiser holds his place solely
by grace of the President. and can be retired at
any time. This fact has given certain interests
hope that if the attacks were kept up long
enough Mr. Wakeman would have to go.
It was learned yesterday that Mr. Wakeman
saw the President two weeks ago. Senator
Platt visited the President about a week ago
Collector Bidwen also the President short
time ago. Naval officer Sharkeys term expires
within the next three weeks. Mr.. Croft has not
very long to serve Mr.. Bldwen has been re-
appointed The others are somewhat anxious
All was fairly serene until this week. when the
old feeling of antagonism between the COllec-
tors and Appraisers offices was revived. Then
something happened at the Washington end that
forced the local officials TO believe that close tab
was being kept the situation in this city
It was reported yesterday on trustworthy au-
thority that Secretary Gage. with the authority
Of the President. had plainly intimated TO the
Federal officials IN this city whose terms
about to expire that the internal strife must
cease at once, else none of those most interested
would be reappointed. and Collector Bidwells
resignation might be asked for, too. The in
timaton given TO the officials was that there
seemed to be pressing need of a spanking all
around. and that the chastisement would be
meted out with proper severity unless local con-
ditions improved at once.
Collector Bidwell is sick at home with heavy
cold, and could not be reached. When Appraiser
Wakeman was seen, he said:
I am not aware of the existence of any par
ticuIar differences between the Collectors office
and mine at this time. There have been differ
ences, il is true but my policy has been to forget
all differences soon as they settled. This
office has been quite generally sustained by the
highest courts. l the President two weeks
ago. and he had no fault to find.
Mr.. Wakeman was asked about the surrepti-
tious removal of some valuable correspondence
from his office by an empIoye who later was
transferred TO the Collectors office. Further
than admitting that there had been such case,
he would not talk about it,
Naval officer Sharkey said:
/ think the relations between the Collector
ana the Appraiser are more cordial than usual
don believe there is anything in the story
that Washington is dissatisfied with anything
here. Mr.. Bidwel has been reappointed and
there is no indication that Mr.. Wakenan will
not stay where he is. 1 expect to be reap
pointed.
1t is understood that Dudley Phelps and Ed
ward S. Fowler are candidates for Mr. Wake
mans place Mr.. Wakeman has the. support
of Charles a. Moore. a personal friend of the
President; OF the American Protective Tariff
League, and of some of the leading Chicago
merchants. 1t was reported yesterday that Mr.
Moore was going to see the President this week
with reference TO the local situation.