Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1876-08-08
LETTER FROM HON. 5. s. FEM.
WASHINGTON, D. G., July Is, 1876.


En-. WoRLD: In your journal Of the
18th instant observed an article re-
fecting upon Ex-Governor Thompson
in rather a facetious style. but which
none the less would lead to misappre-
hension, and therefore do him injus-
tice. "Fair play is jewell" and hav-
ing spent my entire time in this city
from November 25th, 1875, and hav-
ing been in almost daily intercourse
with Governor Thompson from that
time to the present, whenever be was
in the city. | assure you and the peo-
pie of Idaho that Governor Thompson
never labored or exercised any infu-
ence in behalf of Thomas w. Ben
nett's retaining his seat as Delegate
from Idaho, to which he had illegally,
and with a total want of selfrespect
certified himself; but, on the contrary,
he at all times, both before and after
his appointment as Governor, fully
and frankly expressed the opinion that
Bennett was not entitled to the seat,
but was holding it contrary to the
lplainly expressed will of the people of
the Territory of Idaho.
That Bennett, instead of supporting
Governor Thompson for the position
to which he was appointed, labored
hard for the appointment of another
person for the position, and labored as
strenuously for the defeat Of Governor
Thompson. That after Governor
Thompson was appointed, while he
remained in this city, he faithfully Ia
bored in behalf of what he considered
the best interests of the Territory and
in almost every instance the views of
Governor Thompson and myself coin
cided, and generally anything that
was considered favorably by either
Governor 7. or myself by some strange
fatality was sure to incur the opposi-
ton of acting-Delegate Bennett.
That about ten days before Cover,
nor Thompson resigned the Office OF
Governor, and ten days or more before
the nomination of Governor Bennett,
Governor Thompson called on me and
informed me that Bennett would prob.
ably be nominated to fill the vacancy
and desired that | should exert myself
earnestly to defeat his confirmation
1t required no incentive on the part OF
any one to cause me to labor with all
the energy and ability | possessed, tc
preserve my constituency from being
cursed with an executive as base, cor
rupt and devoid of every principle o.
: honor as I. w. Bennett, and it is due
} to Governor Thompson to say that his
| timely information that the nomination
: Of Bennett would take place gave me
J the opportunity to he prepared to make
5 and sustain the long list of charges
which I made and filed with the chair
man of the Senate Committee on Ter
!, ritories, and thereby prevented the
disgrace of his confirmation; and tina
the charges were so plain, overwhelm
ing, and the proof SO ample and easily
obtained that Ex-Governor and ex
Delegate Bennett forebore to make
any defense or attempt an exculpa
/ ton, but had his name withdraw
q from the Senate, concluding to return
9 to the shades of Richmond, Indiana
r and thus escape thorough and com
plete ventilation of the corruption an'
venality that had characterized his ad
ministration of the Territory in tn
halls of Congress- By giving tn
; foregoing place in your columns, 20,
y will be performing an act of justice t
2 Governor Thompson.
Very Resptly. Your obi. Sevt.,
4