Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-23
TO GUST PARK AaNEw.

1t has been known since the last
presidential election, and before, that
an attempt would be made to remove
Mr.. Agnew of this city from bis position
rs internal revenue collector for the dis
trict, BUTT was not known that the effort
would be made so soon as the following
from the Washington Star would indl-
cate: The attempt Of Representative
Slemp, the new political boss Of Virginia
republicans, to Gust Park Agnew as col
lector Of internal revenue OF the hrst
collection district OF Virginia hassalready
Jegun. Representative Slemp has pre-
sented his case to the treasury and has
frankly expressed his desire 10 have bis
close political friend and manager, L.
p. Summers, given the position now
held by Agnew. The matter has not yet
been taken up formally with President
Roosevelt, but II is the confident belief
of the friends OF Representative Slemp
that the President Will indorse the rec
ommendatien OF the ninth district Nir-
ginis representative.
Representative Scmp is ossing bis re-
quest for change in the Office upon the
fact that much is expected Of him polili-
cslly in Virginia, aud that he desires to
reward sone ofthose who have done much
for him, and who will aid him in future
campaigns 10 his district and in the State.
Secretary Shaw personally knows Mr..
Summers aud thinks him a suitable man,
but the record of Agnsw has been good
and the secretary is in doubt as to whether
TO advise the turning out of the present
collector, as that is what it would yir-
tnally mean.
There is no specified term for a col
lector OF internal revenue. who continues
serving until he resigns or is dismissed.
Agnew was appointed collector ofthe first
district April Is, 1897, and will soon have
served eight years. The President has in
dicssed that under certain circumstances
eight years is long enough for an appointee
to good federal position, but be has no
inyiolable rule in this respect.
Whether Agnew will make fight to re-
tain his position is not known. He has
good record, aud is business man OF abll
ity and standing. He and George Z. Bow
den constrolled the Virginia political ma
chine for many years, and we're in control
until recently, when President Roosevelt
turned over TO Representative Slemp the
management of affairsthere Agnew ana
Bowden did not care to fight the admin
istration, aud Agnew resigned his position
as State chairman, Representative
S!emp's son, c. B.. Slemp, being elected
chairman. Agnew declared that if he
remained as State chairman, everything
that did not go right would be blamed
upon him, and he did not prefer to shout
der the responsibility.
There has been some talk recently OF
running Agnew for governor this year,
but that is said to he without foundation
on the part Of the Slemp machine. Ag-
new would probably not have much APP
probation of decapitalion that would
take S., 900 year away from his income
and then give him the empty honor OF
republican candidacy for governor.
When Mr.. Agnew was seen by rep
resentative of the Gazette this morning
in reference to the above, he said, OF
course, he wished to retain his position,
but would make no uuseemly efforts to
do so. He said his official record OF
eight years service was on file aud that
would speak for itself In connection
with this matter. it can be stated that a
strsng petition for the retention of Mr..
Aguew 10 his Office is being circulated in
this city aud is being signed by the citi-
nens generally, irrespective of party
affiliations, so popular is Mr.. Agnew in
his home city.
1t is understood 10 Washington that
Col. Slemp has already recommended the
early removal Of Mr.. Agnew aud the
appointment of Mr.. L. p. Summers, OF
Abingdon, to the position, and that the
recommendation has been sent TO the
President.