New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-11
roo THIN.

TOO THIN
II is hard to conceive of q more melancholy
exhibition than Is made by Attorney General
Garland, Solicitor General GOOdc, and the
President himself, in the surrender announced
in their published letters about the telephone
case The course finally taken is made even
more ridiculous by the long arguments which
Drcccdc it. Elaborate statements are submit
ted to prove that exactly the right thing was
done, in exactly the right way, and that moth
ing less and nothing else could have been done
without disregard of the solemn responsible
ties of office, and the officials then proceed, as
if for that reason, to undo all that has been
done 1t is not surprising that. IN the mental
cataclySm of such 4 performance. the officials
appear to have lost, not merely what Shrcwd-
ness they possess, but even the faculty OF
writing decent English. Mr.. Garland says he
supposed the parties would make another APP
plication to him, but "Such was not done
Again, "the disability here is not limited to
the one of physical ability to perform the du-
ties" And again, "thc only course for me
then was not to touch it, and it is the same
thing now" Either the Attorney Gcnrrl Is Il
particularly illterate and slip-shOd person for
the chief law officer Of the Government, or cx-
trcmc mental agitation has deprived him OF his
faculties
WcmaEc haste to correct an Obvious error
in a Washington dispatch published yesterday.
II was stated that the Attorney General studl-
ously RETAINED from speaking of hi, relations
as stakeholder and director OF the Pan-Elcc-
tric Company. This hlunder, which W. sin
ccrclv regret. could not have misicd our read
IL, late ne
match contained several direct references to
his relations as stockaoldcr. Mr.. Garland
frankly admit, that both As stockholdcr and
an attorney of the telephone company, he
could not properly take any action in the mat
ter. But he fails to hide the fact that 1t was
equally improper for any of his subordinatcs to
take such action. his personal interest remaining.
The President virtually admits that imprO-
pricty by causing the suit to he withdrawn.
Solicitor GOodc declares that he could NOT have
refused consistently with his duty To order the
suit asked, and that call necessary information
had already been furnished by the Patent
Once III the er p0jte statement which alone
had come before him, and then he concludes 10
refer the question to the Patent Office FOR IN
formation If, rs he asserted, he had all need
ful inf0rmatOn the reference IS a piece Of folly.
Pending that inquiry for information, which
might have been obtained while these letters
were being written, hasty rs they were, ne re-
vokcs the order to bring the suit. But il the
talk OF reference TO the Patent Office had not
been mere sham and cheat, he would have
zone over to the Patent Office FIRST and let the
suit stand a. ii was an hour or two longer, Cspc-
cially as it could not have come 10 trial for
some months or years. In short, wc have here
another of those dishonest false prctcnccs
which characterize the Cleveland AdmnIstra-
ton, but the deception in tins ease is more dis
gu,tingly thin than usual.
Back Of all this lie two questions. President
Cleveland will not ask them, but the people
will. Did the Attorney General cause Solicitor
G00de to know what application had been
made, and was to be renewed, and what ne
wanted about itl Did Solicitor Goode not
know, when he acted. that his superior in Office
was interested against the Bell Company rs
holder Of a million and half Of stock and rs
Attorney Wa, he nor perfectly aware Ol these
facts, and Of the interest OF other prominent
Democratic politicians and officials! Dial not
know that tlcir influence, and the recommended
ton of the Attorney g. cncra would insure his
own removal from Office If he did not do their
will What pitiablc set Of fraudulent disguiScs
and shabby falschOods are employed to cover
up his transaction
Mr.. Garland dodg,s more disgraccfuly than
any one else. How did he become stock
holder and Incorporation? He joined with other
gentlemen, he says, cat a time WIN L there was
not any particular probability that would be
called upon to fill the Office of Attorney Cen
craln But he was then Il Senator. lie took
the stool, as a gift. Why was it given, and why
reccived2 Did he no know that legislation 10
break down the Bell patent Wa, proposed
Did nc not know that his aid was wanted and
that il would be shameful in him 10 be Il mem
Der of the Senate with such a measure pend
mg2 lie held the stock, nevertheless. He
held it still when he became Attorney General.
Why did he not give it back, since it cost
nothing The desired legislation had failed.
Why did he still hold the stock, If not because
ne intended to make il valuable by his official
action as Attorney General TAe President
will find that he has not yet cvadcd his re-
sponSibity. While AttOrn y-GcncTai Garland
remains in the Cabinet tins Administration
will be tainted, and all the DISCUSSES chat are
possible will not help the matter.