Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-22
LETTER FROM JUDGE EUsTACE.
John B. Hawley's DOuble-dealing Exposed
Or ant as Dictator and Tyrant.

Freeport was appointed by President Grant
Governor of Utah, Mr.. Wilson of Kewanee,
ILL.,, was also appointed Judge of the United
States Court for that territory; that soon
afterwards 1t becoming known to Gen.
ShAffer that Judge Wilson was about to de-
eide against the constitutonality of an act
OF Congress in reference TO naturalization,
Shaffer had an interview with Wilson, and
on being then informed that such would be
his decision, notified him that he would be
removed that he was accordingly shortly
thereafter removed, and Judge Mexican, so
many of whose decisions have recently been
overruled by the Supreme Court at Wash
ington, was appointed in his place that
at the request of Judge Wilson, Mr.
John B. Hswley, member of Congress from
this district, called upon the President to
know whether there we're any charges on
file against Wilson; that the President in
formed him there was not. The question was
then asked why was ne removed; to which
the President replied, in substance. that he
was removed because it was known that be
was about to decide that Law to be unconsti-
tutionsl, and that Judges "and all other
members of the Governors staff must carry
out the policy of the Government, or be re-
moved.
This was the substantial part Of my state
ment. | made the same statement at a pub
lie meeting in Dixon on the night of Gree
ley's nomination; and it was published in
the Chicago papers.
know that frequent attempts have been
made TO obtain from Mr.. HsweY denial of
the statement; and he has at length been
goaded into publishing what is meant 10 be
understood as denial but what is in fact
q mere evasion.
He says that no such things were etated
at any interview between the President, him
self and Judge Wilson, and bis whole card
refers to ''such conversation"
Now, it may be true that Judge Wilson
was not present at the interview. Until two
days ago, had supposed that Judge Wilson
was present, but | have since been informed
/ by member of the bar, residing at Corinne,
| Utah, that after his removal & remons,rauce
was signed by many OF the leading men of
Utah and forwarded by Judge Wilson or
his friends TO Mr.. Hawley at Washington.
But the question whether Judge Wilson
was present at the interview is altogether
unimportant. The material questions are,
whether Judge Wilson was removed for the
cause stated. and whether the President
made to Mr.. Hswley the remarks attributed
TO him.
l will now briefly refer to some of the
proof sustaining my positions;
| affirm, that nearly year ago, in con
versstion with Hon. Ira 0. Wilkinson,
formerly Judge OF the Rock Island Circuit
Court, and now q membe of the firm of Will
kinson, Ssckett Bean, Bryan Block, Chi
1la- l. -
Judge Wilson or Mr. HsHley, and, as
believe, BY both of them.
/ also assert that at or about the time O.
the interview, Don Piatt the Washington
correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial
WAS informed as TO what had taken place
it, and that be published full account of it
as l have given it, 10 that paper; ana
have reason to believe that be got bis infor
nation from Mr.. Havley, and from J udgc
Wilson.
. | can, ii wanted, give the name of Suoth
er distinguished gentleman of Rock Island
to whom Judge Wilson tod the story of tht
conversation; and in all material poiut
told it as 1 have done.
In fact, if any more proof is wanted i
, can be furnished by host Of witnesses.
! assert that, two or three months ago
Mr.. Hswley when on a visit to Dixon, re
pested the same statement, At the Nschusi
! House, in the presence of several gentlemen
two of whom were Capt. Henry D. DemeLt
. the prospective Grant candidate for Ih
! Legislature from Lee county; and Benia
! min F. Shaw, Esq, editor of the Dixol
e Grant paper. These gentlemen are polisica
3 friends of Mr.. Hswley, but they are honora
) Bile men and will not contradict my state
? ment. When at Rock Island. some al
E weeks ago, l mentioned the matter to Dl
Truesdale and P. l.. Gable, ESQ.,, and sske
them about the correctness Of the statemen
y they told me that it was true, and was noto
# ious.
4 Shortly after had made the statement
= the Dixon meeting, earl, in jane last, | II
ceived g letter from G. X. Lsdd, ESQ.,, of K
!. vance, saying that be had heard a report
Il my re marks, and requesting me to send hiI
l. paper contalning q report of them. ! d
I. not then know who Mr. Ladd was, but
IF replied to him, stating that had no repol
j. of them, but would tell him what had sal
n which l did, substantially as ! have sbov
n. repeated it. In reply, | received anoth
10 letter from him, in which he stated as fC
N lows:
al You correctly az prehsRd my motive in ma
Il ing the enquiries l Gid, as MIR. Wilson is L
n partner, and l was little curious to VIII
m was said shout the matter. l would say th
your version Of the Utah farce Is correct. Shat
"a demanded that Wilson decide the point in qu'
be ton before the case was brought before Mi
ls and informed him how he must decide it, IS t
b. President" had go ordered, and that if be q
ii. not decide be would os removed. BE did Z
, 7 so decide, and was removed. "beeause tho JUDI
=, were the governors stRf,' and he (ths Pre-
dent) must have harmony among his official
II The same point was afterwards brought up
"a fore Mr.. Wilson's successor and the other iat
ciAl missionaries, and decided as 1.-THE Pre-
dent wanted II to be and it has lately be
reversed by the Supreme Court of the Unit
States. The transaction is q very good illustl
ton of ths military rule Of the gifted Pre-
nm dent.
~n With this evidence, and the fact that
IN Hawley's card is carefully guarded so
ns to deny only that the statements we're ma
at conversation between the Preside
o1' Mr.. Hawley. and Judge Wilson | subr
ou that the pretended denial does not reach I
10. material points; and that they remain u
sc' contradicted, and fully sustained.
ey' The Rock Island Union asserts Il
- Judge Wilson was called upon the stand
ny public meeting in kawenee, BY Mr.. Hs
oe ley, and that be corroborRted Mr.. Hswle
lS statement. | don't know what Judge v
I'S son may have said but Ispprehend it '
leu be found that he only stated that be v
not present at the conversation.
| nave since then been invied to addr
nc q meeting at kswGnee On next Monday e
i've ming, which / propose to do and th
as will then be an opportunity Of ascertain
ut. whether the substance of my charges
9; been denied by any body.
Il F.; ! am, your obedieut servant,
NJ. JOHN Y. EUsTACE
Is -4s----