National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-09-21
NnAlEL KIRKE,, Ar mEnloa's.


flIong Kong China Mail
Some time ago we cited the case of Col
Mosby as one of the many suspensions from
Office, on the score of political opinions only,
which have demonstrated the regard which
President Cleveland has shown for civil ser.
vice reform of the true and genuine type. We
have also noted that the President has been
credited with an expression of regret Mt his
alleged unwilling suspension of Col. MoSby as
consul for the United states In Hong Kong
not so much because of the injustice thus done
TO the man who has faithfully discharged his
public duty, but because Col Mosby Is looked
upon as dangerous political power in his
native state of Virginia.
In the Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Ad-
vCrtiscr of the 18th of May we find the follow.
ing dated from Washington on that day:
col Withers, the rcccntlyappolntedc consul
to Hong Kong, Is in the city to-day, probably to
qualify before the Secretary OF State. the col.
onel says his predecessor was not removed and
was not asked TO resign, but did tender his res.
ignntion as soon as President Cleveland was
inaugurated, to take effect whenever his sue
cessor might choose to relieve him."
We have the very best authority for saying
that the above statement Is not correct Col.
Mosby never intimated n purpose OF resgning,
either in any private or official communication.
Indeed, he has always advised his friends
against resigiing; He was not disposed to re-
lieve a Democratic President of the o1ium
which would be inevitably incurred by n
wholesale removal OF olliceholders, solely on
account oftheir political opinions; Tho only
change OF administration was in n dispatch TO
Mr. Secretary Bayard, acknowledging the re.
cept of circular letter from him informing
consuls of his appointment as Secretary OF
State. The following letters will show the pre-
else form Of Col. MOsby's removal from the
consulship at Hong Kong, the duties Of which
he has so honoraby filed:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May I,
lSSh-JoHS =: MosBY, esq, Consul of the United
States, Hongkong-SIR: send you inclosed a
communication from the office of consul at
IIaN EaN.FN anti NNl,s ag,T
the Office until the arrival OF your successor.
am, sir, your obedient servant
JAMES d. PORTER, Assistant Secretary.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, d. c.,
April 2S. lSS5-SIR: You are hereby suspended
from the office OF consul of the United States at
section l76S, Revised Statutes OF the United
States, and subject to all provisions of law ap'
plicabe thereto. GROVER CLEVELAND.
10 JoHN s. MosBY Esq Hong Kong,
on April 20 Col. Mosby's successor was ap.
| pointed. An extract from q private letter
written by the colonel was published IL Jan.
nary last and very much complimentcd for its
tone of manly Independence by the Demo.
cratic press. In that letter the colonel said
II wish 1t to be understood that | have no
| apologies or rccantntions to make, and no
iGvors to ask OF the next administration. |
! accept the result of the election as the fate Of
! war, to which have not been altogether I'M
| accustomed. | have survived one lost cause,
| and may survive another have no rcplnings
or complaints to make. Some in1iscrect
friends of mine, fear, may ask OF Mt. Barbour
| or some other Virginia Democrat to save me In
| the massacre of the innocents,' which will
| soon begin. Now, wish you to understand
that nothing could be done more offensive to
' me-"
There is no reference here to resignlng. II
I merely iorbids his friends in the states from
| attempting TO secure his retention In Office as
favor granted through, personal or political
influence. What 1t evidently means Is, that
his record at the State Department could speak
t 40, seii III atn y 'ns oi'S nu WE Wi,'iits "
official documents which prove Consul Mosby's
suspension from Office, the colonel's whole
career has been consistent manly, and highly
Creditablc to himself