The Washington herald., 1909-08-24

on August 9, will, ] am sure prove in
teresting to many Of our citizens Yours
truly,
EDWARD w. CREECY.
Washington. D. C. Aug 2. 1893.
Charles Eaton Creecy was born IN
Vicksburg. Miss, August 81. lS4l, and
came to Washington in 1919. He was ap-
pointed a folder in the House o. Repre-
sentatives' folding room in 1853 upOn the
Endorsement of Hon. Henry May. OF Bal
timore. Nd. and was for short time
page on the House floor. He was ap-
pointed by Hon. James Guthrie, Secre-
tary OF the Treasury as one Of his mes
sengers. September. 1856. and vas pro-
NOTED to a clerkship by Hon. John A.
Dix, Secretary OF the Treasury. Febru-
airy. 1861 and assigned 10 duty as clerk
In charge OF Appointments and applications
for appointments in the Treasury De-
rartment.
He was promoted upon merit TO all
four grades OF clerkships. and in 1854.
when the appointment division Of the
Creecy was made its chief All appoint
ments under the Secretary Of the Treas
ury. including those OF the Treasury
proper, custom-houses, minis. internal
revenue. surveyors, and naval officers,
lighthouses. marine hospitals, life-sav-
ing stations. &c. were placed In charge
Of this division. Mr.. Creecy was ap-
pointed a direct tax commissioner for
the State of Mississippi In 1865, but de-
clined the Office
Mr.. Creecy was the first witness in the
impeachment trial Of President johnson.
He was called to prove the removal OF
Hon. Edwin NJ Stanton. Secretary Of
War, by the President. and the appoint
ment OF Gen. Grant as Secretary Of War
ad interim. the President having by let
ter notified the Secretary Of the Treasury
Of the change and Mr.. Creecy having
custody OF the letter. He was also called
to prove the numerous removals Of Pres
idential appointees and appointments OF
others by President Johnson. in what
was claimed TO be a violation Of the
tenure Of office law
Mr.. Creecy wrote the bin reorganlzlng
the Treasury Department, which was sent
10 Congress in 1867 by Secretary McCul-
loch 1t was passed after Gen Grant
became President and the department
was reorganized in accordance with its
provisions.
Studied Law at Night.
Mr.. Creecy studied law at night. and
graduated in the class Of 1861 OF the
Columbia Law College Of the District.
Among the graduates OF that class were
many who afterward became distinguish
ed in law and politics. Hon. William
L. Wilson. President Cleveland's Post
master General. being among the number.
Mr.. Creecy resigned as chief Of the APP
polntment division of the Treasury De-
partment October. 1865 and accepted the
appointment OF supervisor Of internal
revenue for Louisiana, Mississippi and
Arkansas. which position had been Of
fered to him by President Johnson. He
had entire supervision Of all internal
revenue officers and employees IN these
States.
Gov. B. F. Flanders. Of Louisiana. sent
the following telegram TO Secretary OF
the Treasury McCulloch. upon hearing
OF the appointment:
New Orleans. La. Nov. Is. ISIS.
The appointment Of Creecy is excellent. It de-
feats the whisky ring. B. +. FLANDERS.
Mr.. Creecy energetlcally prosecuted :he
offenders against the laws OF the United
States in his district. and received the
compliments and congratulations OF the
President, Secretary McCulloch, and Com
missioner Rollins.
Ex-Gov. Michael Hahn. editor Of the
Republican, Of New Orleans. said in an
editorial commenting upon Creecy's sus-
pension and prosecution Of a defaulting
collector that 'CTeecy could not be wined,
dined. or bullied."
Resumed His Profession.
Mr.. Creecy returned TO Washington and
entered upon the practice Of his profess
sion in 1870. He was appointed by the
Levy Court OF the District, on motion
Of Hon. A. R. Shepherd. attorney for the
county, and among other duties was in
strpcted to prosecute before Congress a
bill to abolish all the toll gates OF the
District He succeeded in having the
Bladensburg, Seventh street. and Tennal-
iytown turnpikes made free roads. and
the toll bridge over the Aqueduct was
also abolished through his efforts.
In 1884 Mr.. Creecy formed a law part
nership with Gen. Eppa Hunton. Of Vir-
ginia, which continued until 1903. when
Gen. Hunton retired from business.
When the campaign for the election OF
President was opened in 1884, Senator
German. then at the head OF the Demo-
cratic National Committee. requested Mr..
Creecy to take charge Of the secretary
ship Of the Democratic Congressional
committee in Washington.
Congratulated by German.
The following letter from Senator Cor
man after the campaign closed shows the
high appreciation Of the national commit
tee Of Mr.. Creecy's services:
Cleveland and Hendricks Headquarters National
Democratic Committee
New York. Nov T. 1884
c. T. Creecy Esq. Washington ID. O.
Ny Dear Sir: Before this date had hoped to
have seen you in Washington and have personally
thanked you for the very valuable service YOU have
rendered the Democratic party during the present
campaign. The difficult work intrusted to Yen was
promptly done In a most thorough manner and has
had. ] am sure. no small effect in deciding the
campaign in our favor
Your zeal in the cause was shown at the COM
Of the campaign by your offer to serve
the committee without compensation and was CON
tinued throughout the canvass to the neglect fear
Of your own Affairs.
Your conduct is highly appreciated BY the com
mittee and BY myself snd hope that in the future
may be able 10 serve you.
Win best wishes, l am, very truly yours
A. P. GORAAN. Chairman.
Mr.. Creecy was the attorney for the
Holland Submarine Torpedo Boat Com
pany and secured the passage Of a law
through Congress directing the adoption
Of the Holland boat in the navy in spite
Of the opposition of all the bureau chiefs
In the Navy Department save one
Mr.. Creecy had a very extended per
sonal acquaintance among the promi-
nent political men Of the United States
and at various times acted as attorney
for nearly all the large shipbuilders of
the country and firms connected with its
interests.
Steamship Movements.