Smyrna times., 1902-03-19

18th inst, takes exception to person
al mention published In the Times con-
eerning Irving I. Cooper of this town,
who was recently dismissed from the |
Census Bureau at Washington, a posi- |
tion which he had held with credit and |
honor since appointed by the late Con-
gressman John Henry Hoffecker. |
Under the caption "Was 1t Deliber-
ate?" the journal launches out in a
scathing editorial. Now without
stopping to low, vulgar and vituper-
ative language such that characterizes
nearly all the editorial writings of the
journal, we will plainly state the facts
in the case and leave the readers to
Judge for themselves.
The EUening JoU,RaI says it is all
false. that DIR. Ball did not know of
Mr.. Cooper until the time of his dis
missal In September 1900. the Cen
sus Office furnished to a close personal
lend of DR.. Ball, list of all the
W.ware appointments and stated to
Vim each appointment was credited.
Census Official at Washington is
thOrity for the statement that In
ay 1901 the Congressman from Della
are was urging the dismissal of Mr..
.ooper. On or about une 18th 1901 there
we're mailed to DR.. Ball letters in be-
half of Cooper, and on June 21st, 1901,
DIR. Ball acknowledged the receipt of
one of these letters referring in his re-
ply to the fact that Mr. Irving L.
Cooper was then holding a position in
the Census Office at Washington. In
September 1901 Census Official who
was friendly to Cooper gave him a
quiet tip that it would not be wise to
Venr T1nhis annual vacation before
tian q, u Icause his scalp was still
being &, lgh,. And this advice was acted
upon. This seems to dispose of the
claim that DIR. Ball never knew nor
heard of Cooper until the time of his
laying off. Mr. Cooper assures us
thathe never accompanied DIR. Bali on a
visit to the Director of the Census,
and whatever appeals were made to
said Director, were made after the
dismissal, which was dated to take ef-
feet February the 25th, although the
matter was brought to DIR. Balls at
tention early IN February while the
bill for the establishment of perma
nent Census Bureau was pending IL
Congress. Among other things it wa'
specially urged that inasmuch as th'
two factions of the Republican Part.
had been officially recognized in tn
original appointments to the Census
Office, it was only fair and proper tina
the two factions should be recognize,
in the designation of the clerks VIII
were to be retained under the perma
nent organ .zation. 1t was urged furthe
that inasmuch as Mr.. Cooper was tn
only Union Republican still retainin
his position, he was entitled to one o
the places allotted to Delaware in tn
permanent Census Office. There wa
ample time for DR.. Ball to arrang
with the Director for the carrying OF
of this plan, had it been agreeable
him. The refusal Of the Congressma
to include Cooper in that allotmer
meant, of course his immediate di
mie-ol - fhat the Congressman
cl. could he made certain
their places. This disposes of I'll
Journals claim that ''there was L
position left to fill" Appeals TO IL
Director for an extra man were
course absurd and we're not serious
considered. Up to March 10th "
have no later information) there hs
been no further reduction in the wor
ing force in Mr.. Cooper's division
there is plenty Of work ahead for tn
division. possibly enough to last
year, to say nothing of the nj
work to be taken up under the pc
manent organization. The Chief
the Division assured Cooper that Il
dismissal was solely on political re
sons and that he would be glad to p
him to work the next day, if his Co
gressman said the word and urg
him to go after that word. And J
the Journal says that politics h
absolutely nothing to do with it
we have always supposed that i
Ball was under some slight obligati
to the Union Republicans for his ell
tion. Does the Evening Journal p
tend to say that the Union Republics
did not furnish as much as one-third
the votes?