New-York tribune., 1902-03-15
IMMIGRATION SHAKEUP.
POWDERLY, FTTCHIE AND
MS WyEENEY TO GO.
F. T. SARGENT TO SUCCEED POWDERLY-
THE PRESIDENTS REASONS FOR
THE CHANGES
THE CHANGES.
Inr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRInuNE.l

Washington. March 14.-Uness conditions in
the federal immigration service take another
+ expected turn T. Y. Powderly. Commissioner
General OF immigration: Thomas Fitchie, Com
missioner Of immigration at the Port Of New
York and Edward r. McSweeney. Assistant
Commissioner Of immigration at the same port
viii shortly be retired from office. It is under
stood that Frank p. Sargent, grand master Of
the brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, has
been selected 20 succeed Commissioner General
Powderly the place having been offered to him
a short time ago. An announcement TO this
effect would probably have been made before
had II not been the desire Of the President 10
appoint successors In all three posts at the same
time The terms OF the three officers expire
within few days Of March %. President
Roosevelt has been unable 10 secure man
qualified according TO his own notions TO ac-
cept the cornmissionershtp at New-York al
though he has offered IL successively to three
different persons, including F. p. Sargent be
fore he was selected for the Commissioner Gen
eralshp
There was for time some uncertainty about
the authority for retiring Assistant Commits
sioner McSweeney, whose place comes within
the classified service. For two years past the
assistant commissioner has been under the
hottest kind or fire from various quarters, but
until recently it Is understood that the evidence
against him was not sufficient 10 warrant his
retirement 1t chiefly on this account that
the President has held up final action with
spect 10 Commissioner Fitchie. because it was
thought desirable to make the two appoint
ments simultaneously
The decision to retire Commissioner General
Powderly was made within the last few weeks
It is not understood that Mr.. Powderly has been
suspected of any derelcton Of duty. but I'm view
of the fact that he has failed 10 operate in per
feet harmony with higher officials il was
thought that the appointment of a new Com
missioner General would tend 10 promote the
Ceived several offers Of places greater salaries
than that attached 70 his present office. 1t is
regarded as likely that he may again become
active in labor leadership.
THE ELLIS ISLAND TROUBLES.
AS long ago as August last in President Nc
Kinley's administration 1t was announced that
Commissioner Fitchie would be retired when
his term of office expired this month because Of
the loose practices discovered at Ellis Island
and at the Barge Office when It was the immi-
grant station headquarters. Responsibility for
many of these irregularities has been accredited
officially and otherwise. to the assistant COM
missioner.
T. V. Powderly was nominated by President
Mckinley TO be Commissioner General of I'm
migration on July 1S. 1897. His appointment
was opposed by the American Federation OF La
oor and there was some difficulty in securing
confirmation by the Senate. He assumed
charge August T. 1897. succeeding Herman
Stump. of Maryland. On that occasion Mr..
Powdery remarked that he was in favor of A
strict and impartial Interpretation OF the i'm
migration laws. and believed that every proper
effort should be made to keep out of this country
all undesirable classes of immigrants. He has
certainly carried out this policy.
Thomas FitChie was born in Orange County
New-York. about sixty-four years ago He
learned the printers trade. and conducted a
printing business in Nev-York for several years
For two terms he was member of the Kings
County Board of Supervisors, where he gained q
reputation for integrity. In 1898 he was elected
supervisor at-large. BY his vetoes of Jobs he
was credited with having saved the county
thousands of dollars He nominated for
Commissioner al the Port of New-York on July
II, 1897
Edward F. MCSweeney has held his office for
a little over eight years. having been appointed
by President Cleveland. He was at one time an
enthusiastic Tammany Mr. McSweeney
has gained a reputation in New-York Wash
ngton and other cities lecturer on topics
pertaining to anthropology.