The Customs Collector and the Straw Men of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Jan. 10.—Special.—The grave charge of carrying straw men on the pay rolls of the Puget Sound customs department has been made against Collector J. C. Saunders. It is understood that he denies the charge, and J. Tennant Steeb, who had the handling of the men employed at the Interstate fair, so far as the pay roll is concerned, was asked tonight for an explanation of the matter. The charge covers paying an inspector wages at the fair for work which, it is alleged, never was performed.

In substance Steeb not only affirms the charge, but adds to its gravity by declaring that there were others on the pay roll who did little or no work, and were kept on the rolls for from five days to a week before they even showed up at the fair.

“When I went to Port Townsend to settle accounts with the collector,” Mr. Steeb said, “I found on the list of employees at the fair the name of one Gillespie, of Everett. I told Walter Bowen, deputy collector, that the man had never done any work at the fair, and that I would not put him on the pay roll. Mr. Bowen replied that the collector had given him a list of employees, which included Gillespie. I said it must be a mistake, and suggested that we speak to the collector about it. We did. Mr. Saunders told Mr. Donaldson to look into the matter, and I was given to understand that Gillespie had rendered some assistance just before the election at Everett, and that he was to be taken care of. I stated that he had not done any work and had not reported at the fair for duty. The collector asked me if I could not put him on as having filled an assignment, and I said I could not.”

“Well, what was done, and what was the nature of the work done by Gillespie at Everett just before election?”

“Acting under Mr. Saunders’ direction, I entered Gillespie as having done duty at a portion of the building at the Interstate fair, where he never did duty, but I did as directed by the collector. The work done by Gillespie at Everett, as I understand it, was to work the fusion scheme for Wallace and the Tillicums.”

“Have you heard that Mr. Saunders denies this statement?”

“Yes, but it is true, as the books and accounts will prove. Besides, the men who worked at the fair under the collector will prove it. I asked some of the men if they had ever heard of Gillespie, and they said they had not.”

Then Mr. Steeb, under the imputation that he had not told the truth, according to Mr. Saunders’ alleged denial, dilated a little upon the workings of the customs department bureau at the Interstate fair. He referred to men having been appointed to fill petitions there, and stated that they had not turned up for a long time thereafter, although under pay. He was asked for specific instances. He replied:

“Pete F. Maher, of North Yakima, was one. He was drawing pay for five days before he appeared. Fredette, of Tacoma, was another. He was away for a week at a time, working up the fusion scheme for Wallace in his ward.”

“Walter A. Donaldson was the special collector; how was it he did not suppress the rascality?”

“Mr. Donaldson is a competent man, no doubt; but he was under Collector Saunders. All the men were under Mr. Saunders.”

It is understood Mr. Donaldson is at New Orleans, en route to Washington City. It is understood that charges embodying the above have been forwarded to Washington City, and Mr. Saunders is very much concerned. If, upon these charges being presented, they are sustained, it is said by high authority that Mr. Saunders may lose the office.

It is apprehended, in any event, that Mr. Saunders’ friends will endeavor to break the force of the charge, so far as Mr. Steeb is concerned, by arraigning him as a sorehead. That he has been sorely disappointed in not getting office is patent, but it can hardly be said he is a sorehead in the sense of making any kick, because he has steadily refused to file a single complaint outside of the Tillicum circle.