The Washington times., 1905-09-09
Palmer RetireS to His
Home and Admits
No One.
FLOWERS FOR NEW HEAD
Adherents Believe Newcomer
Will Be Made Permanent
Public Printer.

Seated behind a bank of flowers at
the desk OF the Public Printer. Oscar J.
Ricketts,. foreman of printing, whose
resignation was called for by Public
Printer Palmer a week ago, is today
the official head Of the Government
Printing Office.
He was sworn in as Acting Public
Printer this niornig. upon direct orders
from President Roosevelt. who yester-
day notified Mr.. Palmer to Immediately
vacate the Office OF Public Printer
Seldom has such a lightning transfor-
nation occurred in the history OF Wash
ington officialdom- Within a week a
Government official has called on a sub
ordinate 10 resign on account of insub-
ordination; has had his request held UP
by the President: has then been sum-
marily removed by the President for
the same causes for which he tried 10
remove his subordinate, and has seen
that subordinate raised TO his own posi-
ton.
Joy and Sorrow.
Feeling at the Government Printing
Office is divided between JOY at the ele-
walton of Mr.. Ricketts, and sympathy Tor
Mr.. Palmer. That Mr.. Palmer had out
lived his usefulness at the printery none
familiar with the situation doubts. nor
is opinion divided as TO the business of
the Presidents action in dismissing him
when he persisted in attempting TO take
action on the Ricketts, and Hay cases
after the President had turned them
over TO the Keep commission
At the same time. the almost unani-
nous opi- ion prevails among employees
OF the Printing Office thar PaTr1ar e h..
victim OF unfortunate cl fce.nlS~--
growing out OF his paying attention to
bad advice from those whom ne consid-
cred his friends
Everyone believes that the recent en-
phatc actions of Mr. Palmer came as
the result of influence brought to bear
on on him by the anti-Ricketts faction
They have been after Ricketts, for some
time, and when they saw what they
thought was good opportunity to deal
him a severe blow after the upholdins
dent they urged Mr. Palmer to strike
while the iron was hot Results came
in rapid succession. but they were not
the results looked for by the anti
Ricketts, faction.
Cause of Removal
The direct cause of Mr. PaImer's sum-
mary removal was his letter to Hay and
Ricketts, written on September ). This
was the day he had set for them 10
show cause why they should not be dis
missed for INSTRUMENTATION
In response to his initial request for
their resigna ations Ricketts, and Hay had
appealed to the Civil Service Commits
sion. and as the result of that aopeai
President Roosevelt had ordered the
Keep commission to pass upon the case.
at the same time calling on Mr.. Palmer
TO resign on September I5.
After he received this request from the
President. MIR. Palmer wrote letters to
Ricketts, and Hay extending the time
in which they were to reply 10 his
he heard Of this President Roosevelt
promptly dismissed Mr. Palmer fer in
subOrdination
The case had been taken out of Mr..
PalIaer's hands and the President felt
that Mr. Palmer was interfering when
he assumed. by extending the time TO
Ricketts, and Hay. that he Mr.. Palmer,
stu had charge of the cases
Palmer at Home.
Air. Palmer was not at the Govern
ment Printing Office this morning. and
at his residence it was announced that
he would not see newspaper men. AIR.
/ Ricketts, went to his own desk in the
Office Of the foreman of printing short
/ ly after o'clock this morning. He ask
! cd If the Public Printer were in the
building. and was tcTH bv Chief Clerk
L
all his personal effects last night. after
4 he received word from Oyster Bay OF
I his removal and had stated that he
would rot return TO the DTintery.
/ Mr.. Ricketts, then said he would in ac-
cOrdance with his orders. take Mr.. Pal
mer's desk.
MIR. Ricketts asked Captain Brian. who
\ is a notary. to swear him in This was
! done in the chief clerks office in the
! presence of a number of Mr.. Ricketts,
! friends IN the printery- The humor CT
! the situation was not missed Captain
: Brian has been one of the leaders of The
J anti-Ricketts faction. His feelings at
( swearing Mr.. Ricketts, in are easily
ina gined.
A Good Omen.
The announcement comes from Oyster
| Bay that the designation of Mr..
| Ricketts, as Acting Public Printer does
not mean that he will be permanently
i appointed. but all his friends take il as
a good omen. nevertheless. One of the
/ flower designs contains the letters
! -'P. P
: You may take that 10 mean Public
( Printer or Permanent Position either
/ one, said one Of the Ricketts, adherents
I The Presidents order in favor OF Mr.
/ Ricketts, was received with apparent
! pleasure in all departments of the Gov
\ the same time feeling of sorrow at
| the retirement of Mr.. Palmer was made
ma nifest.
t The friends of Mr.. Ricketts, are much
/ elated over his good fortune. but good
| feeling prevails on all sides and har-
mony appears TO be the watchword
| The friends Cf the Acting Public
/ Printer are saying that his well-knCSa
| inclination to do the just and proper
| thing by everyone assures all factions
I a An-1 nI h.