The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-12-24
STUART FOR MARSHAL.
CAVALRY cHIEFTAlN'S SON
NAMED FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

Marshal Morgan Treat Removed
Fifteen Months Before His Teri
Explrod-Ths Appointment q Sur
prise, etc.
The President has nominated j. + Is
Stuart, Of Newport News, To be United
States marshal for the Eastern district
of Virginia, 20 succeed Marshal Morgan
Treat. Of West Point. The new mp
pointee IL a son of the famous COnIed
crate commander. When Jacss son wai
killed 1t Charlottesville, Stuart sue
ceeded to the command.
But apart from the sentimental inter
est il aroUses, the appointment ha'
caused lively stir In political circles. II
came as a surprise, following conferences
with Virginia Republicars-inclnding ex
Judge l.. L. Lewis
Virginia Republican were not consulted
although ex Representative John s
Wise, OF New York, formerly Of Virginia
suggested the selection.
Stuart il a real estate dealer In New
port News and an estimable man, buthoi
we'll known personally TO the Nirginis
Republicans. He was lieutenant o
volunteers during the Spanish war, and
had a good military record. Tie vii
supplant MIR. Morgan Treat. OF West
Point, who received notice Tuesday from
the Attorney General OF his removal
MIR. Treats present term would not have
expired until March 20, 1906. The no
tice of his removal was the first intima
ton Mr.. Treat had that he was not Il
be allowed to serve out the remainder o.
his term.
A few months ago charges Of politica
activity were made against MIR. Treat
before the Attorney General. They camt
from his political enemies, and, TO SOME
extent grew out OF the State conventions
held last summer. Mr. Treat Is known
90 have answered those charges In de
tail. He has given strict attention to
his official duties in the MarshaPs Office
and has been constant in his attendance
there. At the same time those charges
were being pressed other Republicans
were grooming for Mr. Treats place
but, as far AS known, with PRACTICAL!
no expectation Of securing II before his
term expired.
Col. Slemp did not know oithe appoint
ment until after il was made. IL was
complete surprise to every one, even ia
Mr.. Stuart.
MArshal Treat went TO Washington
Wednesday. When asked what he had To
say about his removal he replied.
IL do not care to say anything, except
- .1rfaa1 rnTnnlalOf has
been made in regard to the discharge oil
my official duties.
Capt. Stuart Is regarded a. an adher.
ent OF the Slemp faction, and had on.
nounced himself az candidate Tor the
office Of collector Of customs at Newport
News.
The announcement of StuRrt's appoint
ment caused futter in the ranks Ut the
ofiiceholders in Richmond.
MIR. Treat was appointed to office by
President Mckinley for term OF Tor
years, beginning March 20, 1902. HE
term would not have expired rntil 1906
The appointment OF Capt. Stuart Was
therefore a removal for Mr.. Treat. Tim
was unexpected, although 1t was not
thought that Treat would be reAppoint
ed at the expiration OF his term. lie bas
been lifelong Republican, and it IL sug
gested that his political activity in office
was the cause for bis removal.
As matter OF fact, Mr.. Treat wat
prominent In the wing OF the party
which nominated George A. Hanson foI
Congress. The other wing nominated
Edgar Allan, it,, who polled a much
larger vote than Hanson. There ha'
been ieud between these wings OF tht
party for years with no prospects OF
peace, and this is doubtless at the bot
tom Of the present appointment.