He Says He is Ready to Meet Any Charges That Have Been Brought Against Him.
Press telegrams from Washington published yesterday once more brought to
light efforts to have Major T.J. Blakeney removed from the office of superintendent of the Life-saving Service for this
district. That a movement looking toward his decapitation in on foot is more than probable and there is scarcely a doubt that
he has been charged before the department with offensive partisanship.
In connection with the rumors of his intended removal an incident entirely out
of the ordinary occurred a short time since. About ten days ago Captain George Wilson arrived here from Baltimore and gave
it out that he had been appointed to succeed Major Blakeney. Captain Wilson is well-known here as master mariner and ex-Port
Warden. His gallant conduct in rescuing the crew of the ship Bowden from the perils of Oreo Reef last year gave him fame at
Washington.
A meeting was arranged by a mutual friend between Major Blakeney and Captain
Wilson, when the latter disclaimed possession of appointment papers, but stated that he had in his pocket a letter from J.
G. Carlisle, Secretary of the Treasury, promising him an appointment.
With reference to the Washington dispatches, Major Blakeney said yesterday to
a CALL reporter: "I should not be surprised to hear that charges were preferred against me. This was done during Cleveland's
first administration and it is not unreasonable to expect that it will be done again. I received fair treatment from the department
and was given an opportunity to answer the charges, which was done successfully. Perhaps it is not too much to assume that
I will be accorded the same fair treatment now.
"With regard to the charges of offensive partisanship, it is not out of place
to say that in the twelve years I have served as superintendent of the service I have never inquired as to the politics of
an applicant. There are about 100 men under my charge and I do not know how a single one of them votes. All I care to know
is their capacity for the work in hand. For myself, I have confined my politics to the right of every American citizen to
cast his ballot. I belong to no club or political organization.
"During President Cleveland's first administration I never heard of a removal
from the Life-saving Service except for incompetency or neglect, and I do not think Secretary Carlisle will allow politics
to creep into it. The law governing the servcies as introduced by the late Sunset Cox reads in substance as follows: "District
superintendents, inspectors, keepers of stations and surfmen shall be selected with special reference to their fitness and
without regard to party affiliation." This law has been observed in letter and in spirit.
"As to whether my administration of the office has been faithful I submit that
point to a decision of the shipping and fishing interests of this district."
