Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-02-28
A FAITHFUL OFFICIAL.

Ex-COliectol Pennington and the Revenue
Service.
The recent retirement of Hon. John L.
Pennington from official life in Dakota,
presents a suitable occasion for review
of his official career IN tho territory es-
pecially as he has proved an efficient and
honest public servant and steps back in.
to the ranks OF private citizenship with
an untainted record.
Gov. Pennington came to Dakota in
January, 1874, holding a commission as
governor from President Grant. Politi-
cal affairs in Dakota ut that time were
in very unsettled condition aud two re-
publican parties had been, for number
OF years, contesting for the supremacy,
while the democrats had been quietly en-
ioyiug the highest elective honors. The
new governor was largely instrumental.
in bringing about an amlcable adjust
ment of party differences. and during
his first year rs governor saw united
party victorious at the poels, with the
late Judge Kidder rs its honored stand
ard bearer. In April 1878, William A.
Howard, of Michigan, succeeded to the
gubernational seat and Gov. Penning-
ton enjoyed a brief season of retirement.
Though candidate for re-appeintment
and strongly endorsed in Dakota
and by hosts of friends in the states.
cogent political reasons seemed to have
influenced President Hayes to make q
change, and fortunately for the territory
his choice fell upon one of the purest,
ablest and most upright statesman in
the land.
In August OF the same year Gov. Pen
nington was again called into the Official
ranks as collector of internal revenue for
the district of Dakota, position re.
quiring unceasing diligence and atten +.
tion and one of great responsibility, the
duties of which he continued to dis
charge until the district was consolida.
ted with Nebraska in August 1888, when
he turned over his official burden to G.
w. Post OF the new district, aud became
once more private citizen. In the po.
sition as collector, Gov. Pennington dis.
played marked business ability, the de-
partment repeatedly recognizing the
superior manner in which its duties were
discharged, and as evidence Of the
esteem in which the gentleman was helG
by his fellow townsmen and the conf.
dence they felt in his integrity, it need
only be mentioned that among them ht
had no difficulty in obtaining sureties tc
his 100000 bonds who were compelled te
justify in twice that amount, and al
though during his term the collecto
handled very large sums of money, tn
following official letter shows that ever,
dollar was faithfully accounted for:
Treasury Department, First Comp
: trolle1's Office, Washington, d. c., Feb
Is, 1S84-John l.. Pennington, Esq Lat
> Collector Of Internal Revenue, Distric
of Dakota, Yankton, Dakota-Sir:-Yo,
8 are hereby notified that your accounts n
!. collector Of internal revenue and as dis
!. bursting agent in said district. to Angus
10, 1883, have been adjusted, balanced
and closed on the books of this depart
t ment. WM. LAWRENCE.
Comptroller
: By J. ARBELL, Deputy Comptroller.
Governor Pennington has spent min
years in official harness in Dakota, an
although enjoying opportunities I
:. speculate upon the influence his pos
= = tion gave him, he chose rather to faith
!. fully administer the law. aud thoug
= quitting official life poor man CON
:. paratively, he possesses an honorabl
y record aud bequeaths to his family an
friends an unsullied name.
% Florida Oranges.
Malaga Grapes,
a Mince Meat,