Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-28

PHILADELPHIA, November 27.-The fol-
lowing letter from Attorney General Wayne
MacVeagh to President Arthur, just before
his retirement from the Cabinet, will appear
in the Times tomorrow;
PHILADELPHIA, November s. 1881.
Nh DEAR Mr.. PRESIDENT Your letter
has iust reached me, and | will come to see
you and talk over once more the subject of
which it treats, in the same spirit of concili-
alton in which we have heretofore discussed
it. will telegraph you in advance of my
coming, which will be just as soon as cas-
free myself from engagements here. In tie
interval l wish you 10 consider again the r.s-
sons why ! cannot share your opinions upon
this subject. AS | have already told y'u,
knew comparatively nothing about theStar-
route frauds until President Garfield called
my attention to them. He spoke ven earn
estly of his duly 10 have them thoroughly
Investigated, 10 remove all persons who
ought TO have prevented them, aid 10 see
that all persons were prosecuted against
whom reasonable grounds for sch course
were developed by investigations He said
he had explained 10 the postmaster general
the same views, and also why he wished him
TO consult me rather than III. district attor-
ney of the District. The postmaeter-gen
eral called upon me, and wewent together 10
the president. He was quite as emphatic as
before in the expression Il his OWN opinion
upon the subjec,. He spike of the frauds as
unparalleled viIsines is q loalhsome ulcer
on the body polite, needing TO be cut out,
with all its roots, no natter where they ex-
tended. He STAG ed that while it did not be-
long to my department, certainly not at all
at that stage Of the matter, yet he wished TO
associate me witb the acknowledgement
10 the extert OF having the latter
feel at liberty to consult me at any time
about it. He said ne intended TO remove
D. he sta al
could find satitf ictory successor. At
subsequent interview he regretted the delay
in that matter, and urged his immediate re-
moval, as he held him principally responsible
for the great frauds which be evidently was
convinced had been committed. As soon as
Gen. Brady's resignation had been demand
ed his newspapers not unnaturaliy began
abueiug President Garfield, the postmaster
general, myself, and everybody in any way
connected with the investigation. Ga this sub
ject | spsak without the slightest p-rsonal
warmth, for thenceforth / ceased reading
them, and only know what / have been
told by others or read in other newspapers.
President Garfield subsequently expressed
regret That he had exposed me TO such at
lacks by connecting me a with matter not
necessarily part OF my dqy at the stage, but
l told him regarded it as an honor 10 be
abused in his company. ] added the general
proposition that in these days abuse of
thieves is about the only decoration
in our public lie worth winning, and ia the
surest possible passport to the good opinion
OF honest men. In this spirit and IN this
compsnionship went on advising with the
president and postmaster-generai as occa-
sion arose. Ny functions were slight and
infrt quent. Woodward was special agent OF
the Postof6ce Department, was best acgu amt
ed With these frauds, and nost jealous in
their investigation. He not only possessed
the entire confessed confidence of the post
master general, but had been commended to
me personally by Senator HawIey as man
of excellent judgment, and not only of IN
doubted but aggressive hopestY. When,
therefore, Wood ward thought it desirable
that he shoaid have the assistance Of Gibsou,
and the postmaster general ccincided in
that opinion, / went with the latter to Pres.-
dent Garfield, explained tbs matter 10 him
and received his directions to employ Glib
soa. When, subsequently,, Woodward and
Gibson agreed in requesting the en-
PlOymsnt Of Cool, precisely the same
| fozIss< vas pursued, with the same
result Whenever they brought me
any person supposed &c possess knowledge
OF these frauds, ] ADVISED him 10 Tell the
truth, and whenever received lsi.ess .n.-
gsesl lias,i sources 81 iHiosma''-,, x,o,s 70
AZ --.ed expressing the desire OF
, ---e government to obtain any knowledge of
papers relating to the subject Ger their
control, and Whatever responses were re-
ceived OF course turned over to the gentle
/ man charged with the inquiries which were
| progressing. / also insisted from the first,
ana upon all proper occasioDs, that there
was - possible vindicatIon for anybody ac-
eaSeo Except by an open trial before court