Evening journal., 1905-08-02
REFUSES
INFORMATION
Would Not Discuss Position
AS Federal and City Of
fee Holder
WILL MAKE STATEMENT LATER

For some time past the Democratic
leaders who engineered the Postle8s
Democratic combine resulting IN tho
election by City Council Of five Union
Republicans toofiice. have had
weighty secret up their sleeve Last
night the closely guarded secret be-
came public property. In effect it is
that through the efforts OF the Demo-
Gratis, said to have been assisted By
Councilman Postles. the fact OF Colonel
Charles NJ. Lsitch. president Of Coun-
c'lh and also deputy collector Of i'm
ternal revenue, holding two offices.
which Is a violation of the rules Of the
government, was called to the attention
of the Washington authorities
According to a story printed at the
National Capital the recommendation
has been made to Secretary Shaw by
Commissioner Yerkes of the internal
revenue bureau that Colonel Leitch be
Required to give up one of the two Of
fices, II being against the rules OF the
government to hold two positions at
the same time.
WOULD GIVE NO INFORMATION.
Colonel Leitch was seen by repore-
er for The Evening Journal today but
refused 70 give any information con-
cerning the matter. He was asked BY
the newspaper man il he had any
statement to make on the situation.
mo, sir" he answered.
what are you gong TO do about it?''
he was next asked
Il have no statement to make" he
answered firmly, but pleasantly.
Have you received any official noti-
hcation from Washineton?' he was
next asked.
Il have no statement TO make"--this
time a little more firmly.
you have nothing whatever to say
then regarding the matter?" asked the
reporter.
NO, not now. but may have later
on"
ECOMMENDATION OF YERKEs.
The Washington Star last evening
contained this version OF the matter:
4 Charles M. Leitch. a prominent Re
! publican. is deputy collector OF inter-
r nal revenue at Wilmington, Del. The
a same man Is president Of the city
e Council of Wilmington. Commissioner
a erkcs Of the internal revenue bureau
;, Inns recommended to Secretary Shaw
q that Leitch be required to give up one
t place or the other, as the holding of
u both places and the drawing OF two
Z. lsalaries are not only against the rules
J. of the government but against civil
i- service and political activity Of the
president The deputy collectorship
pays $3.50 a year. The Councilmanic
job pays $3.50 a year. The supposition
la that Mr.. Leitch viii resign as pres
n ident of the Council. When Ne does so
a he will throw the balance Of power in
e the Council to the Democrats. who
!. have long held the city government.
"The case is a peculiar one. In the
last election the Republicans got the
best of their Democratic friends and
elected seven Of the thirteen council
men. Mr. Leitch was one Of the num-
Der and a negro Republican was an
> other. Leitch was elected president OF
. the Council There were a number OF
fat jobs TO fiji by election. The negro
alderman proceeded to hold up the
either Republicans for more than half
c or the good jobs for friends and rela =
tives. The Republicans wouldn't
lagree TO the game and the negro then
turned over to the Democrats. who
did give him what he had asked for
the ytaking the balance. Then the
Democrats got their negro ally TO aid
e them IN filing a solmen protest to the
d Treasury Department against the ac-
4 luvity Of a Federal official IN politics
(which President Roosevelt has FREE
> quently prohibited. Leitch win have
to get out. II he leaves the Council
Is that win give the Democrats full con-
l. tro Of things and enable them to elect
4. Ia successor as president as well as the
- therechance Of a successor to Leitch.
le Secretary Shaw has the papers, but
%, there Is nothing else to do but give
rt Leitch the choice OF leaving one place
ID or the other"
?. Should Colonel Leitch be compelled
as 10 give up one Of the two offices Il Is
I'd natural to suppose that he would resigr
lr as President Of Council as this posi-
/. tion pays but $3.50 year while this
" berth OF deputy collector OF interna
e revenue pays. $1,000. If he resigns as
ie president Of Council it win be neces.
Id sary to elect some one to fill the va.
cancy, but how this could be done hal
g. as yet not been figured out.
s. 1t may be that special election car
L. be held for the purpose Of naming
2. successor to President Leitch. II sucl
is impossible under the law, the bod.
D. will be deadlocked unless Postles. whit
81 is in the deal with the Democrats
% votes with them for aADemocratic pres
as ident.
ne ---------