Morning journal and courier., 1886-11-18
4Hs II 11113N Wv
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.
W ASHINGION, n
Hon nj F. BENTON:


Hon. M. E. Benton:
Dear Sir-Your letter of the 10th inst. ad-
dressed to the Attorney General has been
submitted to me and carefully considered. Its
frank tone and all know of your character
convinces me that the truth is therein relat-
ed touching the matters which led to your
suspension from Office. When l issued the
warning to officeholders to which you refer
as an "order" expected to be much harrass-
ed by all manner of loose and frivolous tales
originating in malice or disappointment and
political enemies to annoy and en-
barrass concerning the indulgence
by appointees under the present
administration in the ''pernicious activity"
in politics against which my warning was
directed. 1 hoped, however, that by care
full consideration of the spirit well as the
language of such warning those in good faith
intending to respect it might be in doubt as
to its meaning and would themselves apply
it to conditions and circumstances which
specify. I did not intend to condemn the
making of political speech by federal Of
fetal to his neighboIs and friends nor at any
time or place where it was merely incidental
if the speech itself decent and fair.
But I do not think such an official can enter
consenting to a long list of engage
ments to address political meetings
widely separated and of daily recurrence
fill such engagements without neglecting his
duty if 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
be specified nor the time when, the place
where or the circumstances in which they are
proper; nor can their character be prescribed.
But correct line of conduct can be
determined on without difficulty, l
believe, in the light OF
desire to follow the spirit
of the admonition given, by divorcing the
conduct of a citizen from the, use of official
influence in political campaigns. illustrating
at all times the truth that official duty is
paramount to partisan service, maintaining
the dignity of official holding, avoiding any
pretence of control over the political action
of others by reason of official place and
teaching the lesson that public positions are
not bestowed or held under pledge of
active partisan service a printed list
taken from newspapers and submitted to me
contained engagements to speak made by
your consent daily for quite a long period
and not unfreouently twice day in differ
emit parts of the State of Missouri and was
led to believe that on many of the days speci-
fed court at which you had duties to per-
form was in session. This seemed to me to
present case of fragrant, defiant neglect of
official duty and proprlety, and even with
the explanation given your course appears
to be thoughtless IAN ana ~, at . least
ment in your letter showing that you
did not permit campaign engagements
to interfere with the performance of your of
fetal duty. your satisfactory discharge of
such duty during your term and belief in
the truth of your allegation that you honest
| ly supposed you might properly do all that
| was actually done has induced me to rescind
the order su spending you from office and to
reinstate you in the same.
Yours very truly,
| GROVER CLEVELAND.