The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-25
ExEcUTIvE MANSION, Nov. 23.


EXECUTIVE MANSION, Nov. %.
Hon A. II. Garland. Attorney general:
Dear Sir-I have read the letter of the 18th
inst. written to you by VIM A Stone, lately
suspended from Office district attorney for the
Western district of Pennsy sylvania. and the sub
iect matter 10 which it refers has received my
careful consideration. shal not impute TO the
writer any mischievons motive IN his plainly
erroneous assumption that his case and that OF
NJ f. BENTON recently suspended and reinstate,i,
rests upon the same state OF facts but prefer 10
regard his letter containing the best state
ment possible upon the question OF his reinstate-
ment. You remember, of course, that soon after
the present administration was installed, and,
think, nearly year and half ago. considered
with you certain charges which had been pre-
ferred against Mr. Stone a federal official.
You remember, too, that the action we then
contemplated was withheld by reason OF
the excuses and explanations OF his friends.
These excuses and explanations induced me to
believe that Mr.. Stones retention would insure a
faithful performance of official duties, and that
whatever offensive partisanshp he had deemed
iustfable in other circumstances, he would,
during his continuance in Office at his request
under an administration opposed to him in poll
tical creed and policy, content himself with a
quiet and unobtrusive enjoyment OF his political
privileges certainly supposed that his sense
of propriety would cause him to refrain from
pursuing such partisan course as would wanton-
ly offend and irritate the friends OF the admins
tration who insisted that he should not be
tanned in Office, either because of his personal
merit or in adherence to the methods which
for a long time had prevailed In the dis
tributou of federal offices. In the light
of better system, and without considering
his political affiliations, Mr.. Stone, when permit
ted to remain in Office, became part OF the bus
mess organization of the present administration,
bound bv every obligation of honor TO assist,
within his sphere, in its successful operation.
This obligation involved not only the proper per-
faith and fidelity. which, while not exacting the
last sacrifice OF political principle forbade active
participation IN purely party politics ana demon
stration of pronounced type, undertaken for
the purpose Of advancing partisan interests, and
conducted upon the avowed theory that the ad-
ministration of the government was not entitled
to the confidence and respect OF the people
There Is no dispute whatever concerning the
fact that Mr.. Stone did join others who were
campaigning the State OF pennsylvania
in opposition 20 the administration. 1t
appears too that he active and
prominent, with noisy enthusiasm, in attendance
upon at least two large public meetings; thattbe
speeches at such meetings were largely devoted
to abuse and misrepresentation of the admins
tration that he approved all this and actually
addressed the meetings himself in somewhat
the same strain; that he attended such meetings
away from his home for the purposes OF making
addresses: and that ne advertised as one of
the speakers at each of said meetings l shall
accept as true tho statement OF Mr.. Stone, that
the time spent by him in thus demonstrating his
willingness to hold profitable Office at the hands
of an administration which he endeavored TO
discredt with the people. and which had kindly
overlooked his previous offences. did not result
in the neglect of ordinary official duty. But his
conduct has brought 10 light such an unfriendli-
ness toward the administration which
he pretends to serve and of which
he is nominally a part, and such
cons equ, mt lack of loyal interest in its success
that the safest and surest guaranty OF his faith
ful service is in my opinion, entirely wanting
His course in itself such as should not have be IN
entered upon while maintaining official relations
to the administration. also renews and revlves,
with unmistakable Interpretation OF their char
acter and intent the charges of offensive parti-
sanship heretofore made, and up to this time
held in abeyance. Mr. Stone and others Of like
disposition are not to suppose that party lines
are so far obliterated that the administration OF
the government is to be trusted, in places high
or low, to those who aggressvely and constantly
endeayor unfairly to destroy the confidence of
the people i'll the party responsible for such adj
minstration. While vicious partisan methods
should not be allowed for partisan purposes to
degrade or injure the public service, il is my be-
lief that nothing tends so much to discredit our
efforts, in the interest of such service, to treat
fairly and generously tho official incumbeney OF
political opponents, as conduct such as 10 here
disclosed. The people of this country certainly
do not require the best results OF administrative