The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-07-06
SCHAEFFER RESIGNS
and LEAVES CITY
WHEN REQUESTED
Superintendent Of Water Company
Charged With Making SeditiOus
Remarks Asked to Quit job
And Leave Town.

Company, resigned his position yes
terday at the request of the company
and upon their advise left the city on
the next train for Covington to join
his family there.
Schaeffer is native of Germany but
a naturalized citizen of the United
States. Before the United States en-
tered the war he was open in his de-
nunciation of our present allies and
even openly denounced President Will
son and other high American officials
Since the United States entered the
war, however, he has not been so open
in his criticism of the nation and its
head but many rumors have been
spread about the city at different
times that he had been continuing in
his seditious talk against our govern
ment and our allies. On several oc-
casions feeling ran very high among
the patriotic citizens of our city and
when the report was circulated that
pahy officials called Schaeffer before
could poison all of the citizens of
Maysville in a very short time if he
so desired, the entire city was indig-
nant. At this time the Water Com
pany officials called Schaeffer before
them and instructed him that he must
not make such remarks or give any
one reason for starting such reports
He at that time denied very vigorous
ly that he had at any time made such
statement.
Some months afterward another re-
port was circulated that Schaeffer had
made some seditious remark and feel
ing ran so very high among the peo-
pie of the community that he was
called before the local Federal auth
critics. He again denied making the
! remark but the officials suggested
that he make a public statement of
his loyalty to the United States and
| its officials. He then made state
ment which was published in the To-
cal press in which he denied having
made any disloyal utterances since
the United States entered war with
the German government. In this long
statement he told of his having left
Germany to escape military oppres-
sion and renewed again his loyalty to
this government pledged when he be-
came a citizen of our country.
A few days ago, it is reported,
Schaeffer entered local manufacture
ign plant and inquired of workman
what wages he was receiving. After
being told he is alleged to have
replied that the trouble with the
American nation was that it was get
ting rich off the war with Germany
and that the poor laboring man was
not receiving his full share of these
millions of dollars coming to our
country because of the war
This report spread like wildfre
over the city and great indignation
was expressed. Suggestion was made
that Patriotic League of Maysville
citizens be formed to visit SchaeffeI
and instruct him that Maysville die
not desire him as a citizen longer il
he persisted in making such remarks
about our government as could bt
construed to be unpatriotic.
Yesterday morning local Fedora
officials called on President Pearce
of the Maysville Water Company, wht
happened to be in the city, and toll
him of the plans that had been sug
gested by citizens and urged upon Mr.
Pearce that Schaeffer be discharge,
and instructed to leave the city befor
the patience of the people was wori
threadbare and the Indignation of tn
people took some form of demonstra
ton
President Pearce sent immedlatel
for Schaeffer and told him that hi
resignation was desired, The resigna
tion was offered Immediately and aC
cepted. He was then advised to leav
the city as soon as possible and h
left on the first c. G. o. train. for Gov
ington where his family now resides.
Schaeffer was an expert engineer an
one of the best water works men
the country He had lived here fo
many years and had raised famil
here. Many friends he had mad
prior to the war but his talk even bC
fore the United States entered tn
war had made him many bitter enc
mics and the reports of his remark
alleged to have been made undel
handed and by 'insinuation since on
nation has entered the war made hii
probably the most unpopular citize
In Maysville.
Schaoffer denied his guilt 10 the Yer
last but the reports were becomin
so frequonr'hnd the unrest OF the pei
pie 80 great because OF his position q
head OF the water company whic
served the entire city and his ablllt
10 do so much daplage II no 30 desire
tina, his employers thought beat
take she steps thoy aid take