Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-02
NO ENDORSEMENTS
OF RUCKER LATELY
REPORT OF ENDORSEMENTS AN
ERROR DUE TO MISTAKE MADE
BY OFFICIAL IN TREASURY
DEPARTMENT. -r
BY Ralph Smith

WASHINGTON. March 30-A further
examination today of the Endorsements
and testimonials of Henry A. Rucker' the
colored collector at Atlanta shows that
The Journal correspondent was IN error
in saying that Lucian l.. Knight an Az
lanta editor, had Endorsed both Rucker
and Cornelius ]. Sheehan. also an apph-
cant for the ,collectorship. Responsibility
for the mistake is assumed by Charles
Lyman, chief of the appointment division
OF the treasury department. He states
that the sheehan and Rucker papers were
confused I'm the office. When The Jour
nal correspondent asked 10 see the papers
last Saturday. Sheehan's list Of indorse'
ments were inside the cover holding the
Rucker papers, .5 r5Fs..s- ~- .
s.The papers have been confused by the
ofice in the hustle and hustle recently
incident TO the change in administra-
TONS" said Colonel Lyman Ia
Asked concerning Hon. Clark HowelPs
letter relative to the appointment OF
Rucker. Colonel Lyman readily recalled
it as having been filed some years ago.
but he was not positive as TO whether
il was an Endorsement Of Rucker. or SIM
ply a testimonial. II
Colonel Lyman was unable today hands
on Mr. Howelrs letter. but recalled posi-
lively that such letter had been writ
ten by him about the time that Rucker
was first appointed.
II any error has been made in this
matter 1t has been due entirely to the
mistake of the appointment clerk of the
treasury department and not from any de-
sire on the part OF The Journal correspon-
dent 10 misrepresent any one.
Rucker is not an applicant for reap
pointment. because he holds office at the
pleasure of the president. The Atlanta
coIlectorship is not a term Office. The in :
cumbent will continue I'm his present ca
pacity just so long as the president Wills
IL. unless he dies. resigns or Is removed
for cause. It may be stated that there is
no immediate prospect Of any of these
contingencies being fulfilled.
II has been the general practice, though
not an unbroken custom. for the presi-
dent 10 request the resignation OF a rev.
enue collector whose place he contemplate
ed giving to another. This has been done
by way Of courtesy. There is no law for
IT, But the appointment of any man for
a coIlectOrship and his subsequent confir
nation by the senate automatically re-
moves the occupant OF the Office, and 50 il
would be in the case OF Rucker, unless
he should resign by request or quit vol
unfairly.
When a man applies for the collector
ship OF a given territory as i'm Fuckers
case, ne files his application with the APP
pOintment division OF the treasury de-
partment. accompanied by his indorse-
ments and testimonials. For. the sake of
convenience and the expedition of bus
mess these papers are listed, showing
only the names and occupants of the
person making them. n dates are shown.
Why Mckinley Didn't Act
This list of names is filed with the APP
pIication. and in case the applicant is
successful. his original papers re-
main to his credit, and possibly are re-
ferred to as bis vouchers in the event Of
emergency arises. This was what Col.
Livingston says happened when he en-
deavOred to induce the late President
Mckinley TO remove Rucker by appoint
ing a white man. Mr.. Mckinley inves-
tigated Fuckers Endorsements. found
them to be high class and declined to
supplant the incumbent.
So far as can be learned, none of the
papers originally filed by Rucker
have even been withdrawn, and it is
stated that he has from time to time
filed new Endorsements, which have been
credited to him on the indorser's list
which accompanies his original applia-
ton.
Mr.. Howelrs Denial
Mr. Clark Howell, referring to The
Journals story I'm regard to the Rucker
Endorsements, said Tuesday.
Never at any time have 1 Endorsed
Rucker for official appointment"