Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-12-31
THE TRETH-

leDCS VI Ile III NOui ilst lssue- L w
not propose to have any discussion
with the InteHigencer. Some one has
been sending me copies of the paper,
with marked articles abusive of me,
and / have thrown them into the
waste basket. My public action is,
of course, subject to legitimate criti-
cism, and l fully recognize that right
in any one; but when 1 know the
motive to be personal and the criti-
cism degenerates into abnse and SLAM
der l can afford to treat the matter
with contempt: ,
In the meeting of the Missouri del
egation last spring Senator Cockrell
nominated the editor of the InteHi-
qeHcer for internal revenue collector
and voted for him on the first ballot.
As this was the only vote he received
at any time it is easy to see why my
colleague is exempted from the edi-
tors patriotic Indignation [ pre-
sumed hat Senator Cockrell had
made the nomination with the knowl-
edge and consent of the person nom
mated, and l was surprised, there
fore, to see in a late number of his
paper an attack upon the entire Mis-
souri, delegation, and the methods as
shown by that meeting, together with
the assertion that Col. Hutton was
not present, had nothing to do with
the proceedings, and Oh his return
to Washington shad demonstrated
with Senator Vest and other mem,
bers of the delegation upon THEN
undemocratic office brokerage
As this appeared in Col. Hutton's
home paper, and in an article defend
ing him, l immediately addressed hin
a note calling his attention to the
statement and to its falsehood.
stated, what he and I both knew
that he never mentioned the matter
to me, and certainly never used il
my hearing any such language as wa:
imputed to him.
So far from demonstrating againsr
the meeting a telegram was read tt
the delegation from Col. Hutton tina
he vas sick, and asking that thu
meeting be postponed until his ar
rival.
To my note, written some day
since, | have had no reply. l hat
very little to do with that meeting
and was present by invitation, bu
I assume my full share of response
bility for its action. All / seek t.
do in connection with the subject i
to affirm the absolute falsehood O
the assertion made by the MteHigen
GER and heretofore published.
The nomination of r. D. Lancaste
for Surveyor of Customs at st. Loui
seems to lacerate the tender suscept
Utilities of the fateligencer. 1 al
held responsible for that nomination
and am glad to say hal [ assume il
The papers on file in the office of tn
Secretary of the Treasury show tina
Lancaster was endorsed by the bes
men in st. Louis and by five time
more names than are affixed to al
other petitions in the same case b.
other parties. Not a charge ha'
ever been made with even plausibilit
against his business integrity, and
know him to be incapable of the Sian
der and falsehood which character
ICES some of his assailants. Hi
nomination was made on the paper
filed, with the endorsement in writin,
of Senator CockrelI, Representative
O'Neiil and myself, and the authorit
from Mr.. Clardy, who was not i
Washington, to use his name if nee
essary. [ eve spoke or wrote t
the president On the subject in M
life, and never mentioned Mr.. Lar
casters name to Secretary Mannin;
except on one occasion in answerin
his question as to what appointment
| thought best. Senator Cookie.
and myself went together to the de
partment and filed the papers 70
Mr.. Lancaster and Mr.. Rowland wit.
the appointment clerk, at the sam
time, and the appointment was mad
on the papers fled.
Another falsehood from the sam
source Is the statement that Col. j
K. Hickey is managing the patronag
of Missouri. Speaking for myself,
assert that Mr.. Hickey Las never al
preached me in any way or at an
time in regard to an appointment
| had not seen or heard from him &c
months until the meeting of congress.
and the fact is that he is one of th
few Missourians in Washington VIII
has not applied to me on the subjet
of office.
have written you at some length
for l wanted you and other friend
to know the truth. [ would be gla
if l could be relieved from all COZ
nection with the miserable bushes
of soliciting office, for it Is the mo:
disagreeahle and ungrateful pursu
| have eve engaged in and leaves IL
no time for legitimate duties. S
long, however, as l am compelled
engage IN it by the practice obtainin
in public life and the expectation {
friends l shall do what l think righr
without the slightest regard to tt
abuse of disappointed aspirants an