The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-23
MYERS'S INSULT REBUKED.
A Singing Letter from the Secretary Of the
National Prison Association.
New YORK, Feb. 10, 1884.

To Hon. W. R. Myers, Secretary, ETC.:
Ny Dear Sir-Your letter of the LIST inst. was
duly received. 1 have delayed replying to 1t,
thinking that in your soberer moments you
might want to recall, or at least apologize for so
gratuitous an insult to this society, and so flag
rant a disgrace to the office you hold. 1t seems
that instead of sending an apology you nave
added to the discOurtesy of your action by giving
your letter to the press, without giving me the
customary intimation that you intended to
do so.
1t is not my purpose in this note to attempt to
instruct you in your official conduct. have
neither the right nor the time to do that. L VIII
merely express an opinion that such letters as
the one referred to are far more hurttul TO the
writer than to any one else. am moreover
sure that such insolence will receive a nearly
rebuke from the press of your State, as well as
the emphatic condemnation of that large body
of your party that believes in a courteous and
dignifed, as well as an upright administration
You might have learned, had you taken the
trouble to do so, that the National Prison Asso-
citation of the United States is in no sense a par
tisan organization. There are both Democrats
and Republicans, and all shades of both, in its
membership roll, and in its management. 1t has
chosen Mr.. Hayes president, not because OF his
party relationships. not because of his having
been President of the United States, but be-
cause of his intelligent and philanthroplc interest
in true prison reform. Perhaps such action may
be beyond your comprehension, but you will UNI
derstand me when | say that the association
chose Mr.. Hayes with the same unanimity that
IL Will cOnueml your extraordinary Ollcldl l6l
ter. You seemed to forget, sir, that Mr.. Hayes
was our choice as President, and that, such being
the case. your letter was an insult to the associa-
ton, and not to him, as you intended it to be.
| have not had the opportunity of laying your
letter before our executive committee as yet,
but shall do so next week at the time OF our
national conference. In the meanwhile, L am
far surer that l represent the feeling of this as
ISOLATION in the appended signature than you do
the people of Indiana when you attach your
official signature to a gratuitously insulting let
ter.
Awaiting your apology (due far more to the
people of your State than to this association,
and begging leave to inform you thatI shall give
this letter to the press, l am, sir, yours indig-
nantly. WIN. NJ. f. ROUND,
Secretary of the National Prison Association of
the United States.
Further Expressions of Press Opinion.
BUT COL. MAYNARD DENIES THE AUTHORSHIP.
Attica Ledger.
The few friends of Myers. who d~isgraced the
position of Secretary of State and received the
denunciation of his own party at his old home,
are glad to accept the statement made by the
Ledger last week, that the Hayes letter was
written by Col. Maynard. This being a fact, it
places Myers in a worse light than if he had
really written the letter, for he Endorsed it by
giving it his signature, and at the same time
proved that he hadn't enough sense to write it
himself. Myers is a mass.
AN INsUITTO THE STATE.
Corydou Republican.
Such a letter was an insult to not only those
whom he addressed, but to the whole State of
Indiana, whom he represents in his official ca
pacity. Whatever opinions he personally and
individually entertains for Mr.. Hayes he has a
perfect right to express, but ne has no right to
speak for the whole State of Indiana as 'Secre-
tary of State" When he indited that letter he
wrote himself down a stupendous ass, and we
are glad to notice that even Democratic papers
are found which condemn his course.
BIT OFF MORE THAN HE CAN CHEW.
Chiacgo News.
A large number of respectable newspapers in
all parts of the country have unsparingly crit
cised the fellow Myers, Secretary of State of In
diana, for his unprovoked and indecent assault
upon k. b. Hayes. Viewing the affair from the
most charitable stand point, Myers is "A very fresh
person. who imagined he was created for msGTnc1
Gci39d4l2ii q a2l a 4 5 Eli pose. ne has probably
discovered by this time that it is inconsistent
with discretion to bite off more than one can
chew.
A FINAL
Bill Myers was as unfortunate in his late dis
graceful letter as General Hancock was four
years ago III formulating his celebrated letter on
the tariff. There was this difference, however,
the latter only showed his ignorance, while the
former showed his Ignorance and his i1l-breed-
ing. Bill may as well hang his political harp on
the willow tree, MARBLE his death song, and per-
form Japanese hari kari. Farewell, a long fare
VIII " AAAAtAAi'
POPULAR WITH HIS PARTY.
Rochester Republican.
No one need be surprised to see the name of
Mr.. Myers, Indiana,s Secretary of State, an
nounced for the presidency by his friends. His
popularity has been wonderfully increased
among many of his party friends since his reply
to Mr.. Wm. NJ. F.. Round has been made public.
Mr.. Myers has shown the people just what kind
of a fellow he is, and should be rewarded.
HIS ~NEIGHBoRs ASHAMED OF HIM.
Martinsville Republican.
Blaekguard Myers, Secretary of State by
grace of tho whisky ring, has been snubbed. sat
upon and fattened out by his own neighbors
and partisans. At the Madison county Demo
cratic convention, last Saturday, a resolution in
dorsing Myers failed to pass. His neighbors
are evidently ashamed of him.
P%RosTITUTED HIS OFFICE.
Peru Republican.
William R. Myers has a right to his opinion of
Rutherford B.. Hayes and may express that
opinion at any time without being subjected to
criticism. But the Secretary of State has no
right to prostitute his office by writing as a
BLACKBOARD in an official communication.
FAM AND NoToRIETY.
Greensburg Standard.
As William r. Myers, Secretary of State. has
succeeded in widely advertising himself, proba-
ply he is satisfied with the result of his disgrace
full letter. Dir. Myers should remember that
fame and notoriety are two vastly different
things.
A FITTING SECRETARY.
1t was eminently fitting that the party that
elected the late fool Legislature" should also
elect to the position of Secretary of State so
foolish a man as W. r. Myers.