Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-08-13
cor ooslFIoIIRr.
The Righteous Indignation Of Presi-
dent cleveland I'm Words.


A Cincinnati dispatch to the New York
Times, August 4th, said The indorse-
ment Of the applicant for the judgeship
referred to in this correspondence was
unusually large and was described as ex-
tremely honorable. II was not case that
could be easily investigated, and, largely
upon the alleged careful character of the
signers, the President appointed the mHn
about whom the first letter below was
prepared 1t seems TINT the candidate
would have been 50 bad SO thoroughly
unfit, that everybody felt free to sign for
him, and the result OF adopting this way
of thinking WINS that an unfit man was
appointed and has received his commits
sion. The writer is not at liberty to do
more than present the following letters,
slightly mutilated;
-. July "a, 1ss5.-To me President,
Washington, H. C.nEAR SIR; This COM
nlunity rnd fhe announcement of the APP
polntmant oi--to the - Judgeship with
tstonishment aud regret, is not pnin. And
none wore more nstonished than those who
had signed his petition, And l regret to
say that my name is 10 be found upon il.
/ have refused several whom knew to he
unfit. nut 1 signed this one thinking it
would never be considered and not for one
possible. When first presented TO me put
him of and hoped to escape, but he
came again with it, and, with others,
| signed 1t thinking there was no chance
for its reaching even n consideration.
| think not u man whose name
is on II had the remotest idea that his
appointment was possible. Not one upon
IL would have appointed him had he the
appointing power. He is not qualified
morally or professionally. He is scarcely II
lawyer at all, while the place will require II
good lawyer. l do not wish 10 say more
than to put you upon inquiry. We are
friends and do business with one another,
and 1t is unpleasant to have to say this. But
ii is due your responsibility and from every
one who signed that petition. And 1t was
signed by many prominent men who hated
TO refuse, and hoped and thought 1t would
result In nothing. | do not wish you
to take any action upon my representation,
but If you wish to know the real opinion OF
the signers of the petition caused some OF
them to be addressed privately, and think
they will confess the objections TO the ap-
pointment greater than have intimated
The petition is signed by two of oui
supreme judges. Let them both be pri.
vately addressed, If il is not too late, and
think you will learn the facts. do not
wish to sneak behind private letter, but nj
the same time would prefer that my name
be not given TO - for obvious reasons
and | do not suppose it will be thought
necessary to do so. - Is an applicant fol
appointment as -. l have written to you
before about him. He, too, has a petition
signed by reputable men (my name is moi
on it,, not one of whom would appoint him
to any place whatever or any trust what
ever. He is wholly without character, even
II he had other qualifications for the office
and he has not. His would most emphat,
ically be an appointment not fit to be made
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug. 1
1885, Dear Sir: have read your letter oil
the oath ultimo with amazement and indig
nation. There is but one mitigation to the
perfldy which your letter discloses, and
that is found In the fact that you
confess your share in it. | don't know
whether you are a Democrat or not; but II
you are, the crime which you confess is the
more objectionable The idea that this ad.
ministmtion, pledged TO give tho people
better government and better officers, and
engaged ina hand-to-hand fight with the bad
elements of both parties, should be betrayed
by those who ought TO be worthy OF implicit
trust, is atrociOus and such treason to the
people and to the party ought to be pun
ished by imprisonment. Your confession
comes too late TO he of immediate use Ia
the public service, and can only say that
while this is not the first time have been
deceived and misled by lying and treach-
erons representations, you are the first
one that has so frankly owned his grievou,
fault. If any comfort is to be extracted
from this assurance you are welcome to H.
Yours truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.