The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-20
JUDGE GRIGCS Is TO
RETURN TO APALACH.
x-Coliector of Customs Was High
Favorite With All His Fell
lows in Office.

Judge James f. c. Griggs, who re-
tired July Is as collector Of customs
Tor the district of Florida held that
office just eight years and fifteen
days, having been appointed shortly
after the Inauguration of Woodrow
Wilson as president, and actually TAX
sng charge of the office July l, 1913.
He was reappointed by President VIII
son in 1917.
The appointment of Judge Griggs
came as a political surprise to most
Of the wise ones" of the state. He
was in no sense an aspirant for the
office and there were numerous active
aspirants including some Of the lead
ing democrats of Tampa, Jackson
Vile and other cities. The last Off
ciaI act of President Taft was the
signing of the order recognizing the
entire customs service. which abolish
cd the offices of collector Of customs
at the various ports, consolidating
cnem into one collectorship for TIE
state. All the former collectors went
out of office by virtue of this order
and the office to which Judge Griggs
vas appointed was therefore new
one. Numerous applicants for the ap-
oointment including a half-doZen
Tampans, who journeyed to Washing
on to see the new secretary of TIE
treasury, WilIiaM G. McAdoo, and |
present their claims in person. At the |
time, Judge Griggs was in Washing
ton on business of an entirely differ |
emit nature. without any suggestion l
Or intimation from him, Secretary Nc |
Adoo called Judge Griggs to his office |
md informed him that he had decided |
20 appoint him collector for the dis |
riot of Florida, requesting that ne !
qualify and take charge of the office |
at once. 1t developed later that the |
selection was made because of Judge |
Triggs' personal acquaintanceship and |
with both the president and |
Mr.. McAdoo. Although he had not /
asked for it, they had decided that lie |
would be the ideal man for the place. |
With its increased scope and respoh-
sibilities. Judge Griggs accepted, was |
Immediately confirmed, and proceeded |
at once to Jacksonville, which was /,
designated as the headquarters for the !
state.
Prior to becoming collector, Judge /
4riggs had served his home people at
A palachicola in various important ca
oacities-as councilman, mayor, coun-
" commissioner, county judge and |
member of the legislature. He had
been a member of the state demo-
ratio executive committee and of The
,irst congressional district executive
committee, and, when the new third I
district was created was
ne first chairman of the demo-
cratic executive committee for that
district. He was a delegate from that
district to the democratic national
convention at Baltimore in 1912, when
woodrow Wilson was nominated for
president, and, with Frank Mayes of
pensacola, was the first to break
,way from the instructed" delega-
ion, which had voted solidiy for IN
7erwood under state primary instruc-
ions, and to vote for Wilson. There
vas a story scene IN the convention
when the break occurred, and Judge
Griggs, mounting a chair, his stem
.orian voice announcing Florida casts
wo votes for woodrow Wilson" was
ne center of interest Of the great
,ssemblage for several minutes.
ew more ballots and Underwood's
lame was withdrawn, the majority of
ne Florida delegation following the
cad of Griggs and Mayes to the vic
orious Wilson standard.
A difficult task confronted Judge
riggs when he became collector
hat of putting into effect the reor-
,anization of the customs service
throughout the state. The district.
-nown as the eighteenth. included tina
,orts of Tampa, Pensacola, st. An
.rews. ApaIachicola, Carrabelle. Ce-
lar KEYS, Port Inglis, Jacksonville
Hernandina, St. Augustine. West Palm
coach. Miami, Key West, Boca
frande. Tarpon Springs. and reached