New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-07

President to Reappoint Brooklyn Of
fciaE8-Mr. Woodruf'8 Tisit.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. J

GFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec. 6.-President Roosevelt in
timated to ex-Lieutenant Governor Woodruff
to-day that he would reappoint Postmaster
Roberts, Internal Revenue Collector Jordan and
United States Marshal Haubert. all of Brook
Ign. but had made up his mind to relieve Naval
officer Robert A. Sharkey of his job. Mr.. Wood
ruff visited the White House for the purpose of
urging the reappointment of all four men named
in behalf OF the Republican organization across
the East River.
The Kings County Republican Committee or
ganized last night for the next year and in
dorsed the postmaster, the collector. the marshal
and the naval officer. Mr. Woodruff was select
ed as the best man to present the subject to the
President, and when he learned that Of the
four was persona non grata he promptly met
the issue by demanding the name or names of
the men who have been undermining the naval
officer in the Presidents estimation. The Presi-
dent summoned Civil Service Commissioner AL
fred w. Cooley by telephone.
Mr.. Cooley appeared at the White House and
laid before the President and Mr.. woodruff
number of charges which were sufficient. he
thought, to unfit Mr. Sharkey for reappont-
ment Some of the complaints were that the
naval officer had converted his office into a
gathering place for politicians; that he spent
more time in conference with ward workers and
the Government, and had, in at least one in
stance, violated the civil service rules applying
TO promotions among his subordinates. Mr..
Woodruff assured the President that he believed
Mr. Sharkey could answer all these charges
satisfactorily, and offered to go to his hotel to
get some papers bearing ON the case. Mr.. Wood
ruff started for his hotel, but before he got out
of the Presidents office the latter called him
back, invited him to luncheon and suggested
$,1-o
case to Mr.. Cooley's office in the afternoon and
there go over the whole subject with him.
There is nothing whatever in all these al
legged charges against Sharkey," said Mr. Wood
ruff, after his talk with the President. Mr.
Sharkey is one of these bright, hustIing. active
fellows, who is quite likely to make enemies i'll
the course of his life. Every man who gets out
and does things is sure TO do the same. But
when you sift the charges you'll find that they
do not amount TO anything. Most Of them are
ANONYMOUS anyway [ asked Cooley if he had
ANYTHING in addition to those anonymous COM
municatfons, and he admitted that he had lot.
The assertion that Sharkey has made his office
d loungng place for political heelerS is as unjust
a it is ridiculous. ! know II is not a TACT be-
cause I have had occasion to go into his Office
quite frequently, and I always found that the
government business was being done Up 70 lhe
handle, as it should be done. OF course, Sharkey
has been active in politics. That, hope, is no
crime Is a man to &c amothered as a cltlzeh
simply because he accepts public office? Can
not he take more interest III political AFFAIRS
after he receives an appointment? do not
think the President wishes any such consJruc-
ton placed upon the Civil Service law. As for
that case where he is charged with having VIC
lated the Civil Service rules by appointing che
of his subordnates to better place, / happen TO
know all about that, and know that lie followed
the law.
There seems TO be no complaint whatever
about the manner in which ShaFkey has trans
acted the business of his Office. The President
ordered an investigation made by the Treasury
Department. and the special agent placed on the
case reported that his affairs were in first class
shane and that there was criticism Of his
conduct as an officer of the government. do
not want to defend him if ne has not performed
his duties, and if any proof is brought to me
that will lead me to believe that he has failed IN
his official capacity I will at once retire from
abandoning his cause. But so long as l am
convinced that he has done his work as 1t should
be done and that he is now being attacked
causelessIy, I mean to do what can to help him
out"
Mir. woodruff was asked If he believed there
was any reason for reOrganzinS the Kings
County committee.
'syV6at for ia like to l1now?" he demanded.
I'VE held a meeting last night and organized for
the wear Everything within the organization is
harmonious, and if that is So why make any
Mr. Woodruff took late train tonight for
New York.
James F. Tracey. who was nominated by the
President as an associate justice Of the Su-
nrer1e Court of the Philippines to-day, is a Well
known LAWYER of Albany. While the President
was at Oyster Bay last summer he decided On
the appointment of Mr.. Tracey, ana announce
ment to that effect made at the time