The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-01
A SUSPENSION REVOKED.
The President Reinstates DIS
trict-Attorney Benton.
Mr.. Cleveland's Views Concerning
0ficeholders in Politics

The correspondence relating to the REIN
statement Of N. E. Benton, United States
Attorney for the Western District Of Mis-
souri,, who was suspended fr IN Office for
''pernicious activity" in politics, has been
made public by the President:
Mr.. Benton, on receiving notice Of his sus-
pension, wrote to Attorney General Car
lend statement Of the facts regarding
his campaign speeches, the substance Of
which was that he did not allow his
labors in the campaign to interfere
with his official duties, which were
always promptly performed. When he found
that his appointments to speak during the
latter part OF the campaign would actual
ly interfere with his attendance at court,
he got other speakers to fill them, iInme-
diate!y returned to Kansas City, and
announced himself ready for trial tho
called. He remained in court and attended
to the case until he received the Presidents
letter suspending him from office. He says
he relied on the following clauses Of the Pres
ident's order Of July 10 in making his APP
pointments to speak: -
individual interest and activity in politt-
cal affairs are by no means condemned
Oficeholders are neither disfranchised nor !
forbidden tho exercise of political privileges,
but their privileges are not enlarged, nor Is
their duty to party increased to pernicious
activity by of1lce-holding." t:ss e
He concludes by re luesting that his letter
be referred to the President, and by saying
that he had no idea that making political
Speeches was violation Of the Presidents
orders. The Presidents letter in reply Is as
follows: s.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, Nov. 16, 1885:
Hon. " E. Benton.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 10th inst,
addressed to the Attorney General, has BEEN
submitted to me and carefully considered
Its frank tone and oil know Of your char
acter convinces me that the truth Is stherein
related touching the matters which lei to
your suspension from Office.
When Iissued the warning to off1ceholders.'
to whi b you refer as an ''order" expected
to be much harassed by all manner Of LOOSE
disappointment, and deliberate design on
the part of political enemies to annoy and
embarrass concerning the indulgen 9; by
appointees under the present Admin
istration in the "pernicious activity In
politics against which my warning was di-
rected. hoped, however, that by careful
consideration of the spirit as well as the
language Of such warning those in good faith
intending to respect it might not be in doubt
as to its meaning and would themselves APP
ply it to conditions and circumstances which
it was impossible for me to specify.
did not intend to condemn the making OF
political speech by a Federal ohlc al to his
neighbors and friends, nor at any time and
place where it was merely incidental. II the
not think that su:h an official can enter as :
business into political campaign, and, con-
senting to long list Of engagements to ad-
dress political meetings, widely separated
and Of daily recurrence, fill such engage
ments, without negecting his duty, II he-
holds an Office worth having, nor without
taking with him in the canvass his Official
power and influence. Therefore this course
Is condemned. The number Of speeches that
can be properly made cannot bs specified,
nor the time when, the place where, nor tho :
circumstances in which they are proper; nor
can their character be prescribed. But cor
rect line of conduct can be determined
on without difficulty, I believe, In the light
of desire to follow the spirit OF the admon.
ition given by di forcing the conduct OF Z
citi en- from the use Of official influence IN
political campaigns, illustrating at all times
the truth that Official duty is rara mount TO
partisan service, maintaining the dignity OK
oficeho' ding, avoiding any pretenc ce OF controE
over the polite al action OF Others by reason or
official place, and teaching the lesson to the :
people that public positions are not bestowed
or held un Ter a pledge of active partisan
service. A printed list taken from news
paper and submitted to me contained en-
gagements to speak, made by your consent, :
daily for quite a long period. and not untre.
ouently twice q day, in different parts OF
the State of Missouri, and was led 70 Pc
lieve that on many of the days specified q
court at which you had duties to perform
was in session. This seemed to metz pre- ent
acase Of iagrant, defiant neglect OF ofhcil
dEty and propriety, and, even with the e1-
pianation given, your courss appears 9ooe
thouehtless and tleast sub; ;ect to criticism.
But the statement in your letter showing
that you did not permit campaign engage.
ments to interfere with the performance OF
official duty, your satisfactory discharge ot
such duty during your term, and belief IN
the truth of yonr allegation that you hon.
estly supposed you might properly, DO an
that was a"tually done, have induced me TO
resciud the order suspending you from once
and to reinstate you to the same. Yours very
truly. GROVER CLE'EhAsp'
Hon. A. Fl Garland, Attorney. Generah
SIR: Having fully examined ana con-
sdered the statements contained In the letbe.
Of Maecenas E. Benton, which you euomtseo
to mo at the time Of our consultation con-
corning the matter therein re erred to, nave
determined to resciad tn, orJer sIspendin$
Mr.. Benton from the o:tice OF Attorney OF 5
the United States for the Western dis!rics-
of Missouri, aud to direct that he be notiteo-
Of his reinstatement to that office very re-
speetiully yours, GROVER CLE'ELANp'