Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-16

conceal? The came night I received your
telegram started for this city, aud aimee my
arrival have examined all the papers in rela-
tion to my case at the executive mansion,
the ofiice of the attorney general, and at the
department Of the interior, including the gen.
ersl Law offices. The sole charge against me
is that preferred BY Mr.. Fishback Of Indiana,
namely, the appointment Of Stephen w. Dor
sey a. one Of the five commissioners to select
jurors for Colfax county, and that charge was
made under the impression that he was to
select jurors for the U. S. Court. Since its
not charged that am dishonest or incompe-
tent, you must know that great wrong and
injustice has been done me. You did not
and could not know the reasons that induced
me to appoint Dorsey. II would have been
only fair, and il was due me, to have waited
till my explanation was made, as only asked
a delay OF four days before you appointed my
successor. Dorsey was appointed commits
sioner because state Of constant turmoil
existed in the county, and il was difficult to
obtain one who had not taken part in some way
with one or other Of the many factions. He
had not been interested in any of the factions,
and WAS peculiarly well-ftted to serve an ex.
cellent purpose in his capacity of jury COM
missioner. He was appointed after consulta-
tion with and upon advice Of other officials Of
by every one as the best that could be made.
In appointing Dorsey it did not seem t, me
that the fact would have any effect upon ma
tional politics and general policies. OF your
administration, this view Of the case never
entered my mind; the preservation Of peace
and good order of the community was alone
considered. My motives in appointing Dor
sey were of the purest and best, and it is cruel
to have any other imputed to me. The juriss
selected were for the county court of Colfax
county, the court having no jurisdiction of
U. 5. land matters or business, but confined
solely to local matters arising under the laws
of the territory.
Mr.. Fishback Of Indianapolis, who pre-.
ferred the charge of appointing Dorsey
against me, may be "A very reputable man,
but is brother-in-lsw to very dangerous
and violent incendiary named O. p. Nc
Mains, who resides in New Mexico, and has
been convicted of murder there, although he
escaped punishment by a technicality have
hled with the attorney general a certified
transcript OF his trial and conviction together
with all the evidence at the trial and from
which you can see that the murder was not
only cowardly but cruel in the extreme Dur
ing the September term of court | decided
two cases against McMains at which he was
incensed. Doubtless he caused his brother
in-lsw, Fishback, to prefer the charge which
resulted in my suspension. 1t Is not charged
that am dishonest or incompetent to fill the
position, but you refuse to hear any explana-
tion OF the appointment of Dorsey. when il
you had been in my place you would have
been compelled to act exactly as l did be-
cause in the frontier country you would have
to deal with different material to what YOU
have here in Washington. You action was
so summary that the public cannot under
stand why it was taken unless 1t was charges
of the grossest immortality or dishonesty,
and you must zee your course will injure
me for all time. Yoy could not have acted
with greater severity had been charged with
being corrupt man, and even if had been
so charged fairness would have demanded that
l should have hearing before being con-
demned. You have power to put this stain
upon my reputation. but you have no moral
or legal right to do so. l earnestly request
you will cause, through agents of your
own choosing, a most searching investigation
into my whole conduct in New Mexico,
whether as citizen or judg", and should
you hereafter be satisfied, as you must when
fully informed, that l have been faithful to
the sacred trust confided to me and upright in
all things. you will do me the justice which
you alone can do, and which your high sense
OF honor and fairness will dictate.
Very respectfully,
WIN. A. VINCENT.