St. Landry democrat., 1886-02-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
E-oih Cur Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. s, 1881

VashkaLloNp ~ CD. ., 1850.
The President and Attorney General
have read and discussed privately and
with tho other Members Of the Cabne,
rthe recent publications regarding Mr.
GarfaRdss connection with the Pam
Electric Telephone Company. They
understand the whole affair. but the
Pressdeat expressed tho wish that his
official fuasehold should take no part
in the casatsoversy at present, nor say
anything Cor publication.
This policy of silence is adopted be-
cause the President feels that time will
vindicate the Attorney General, and
because the source and motives of the
attack cpon Mr.. Garland are under
. stood. The war waged by certain
newspapers now is we'll paid for by the
Bell Telephone Company, and its pur-
tion ai,d thus prevent the Government
from carrying out the program with re-
gar,. to suits to test the validity OF the
Bell patent.
But the conspiracy has in no degree
discouraged the prosecution Of this
suit. Il will not be delayed any longer
than is necessary for preparation, an
array of prominent counsel having
been already selected to aid the De-
partment Of Justice. Solicitor General
Goode viii conduct the suit, and Ok
Senator Thurman, Mr.. Lowery of New
York. an electrician specialist, and
Messrs Eppa Huuten, JEFF. Chandler,
and Whitman OF this city will assist
1t has not yet been determined where
tho trial will t,e held. The Bell Com
pany wants it in Boston, wllile some
of the Government counsel prefer
Washington, and others think it should
be argued in some Western city whore
there has been no previous litigation or
feeling On the subject.
The climax nf absurdity was reached
in comparing the Pan Electric affair to
che Credit Mobilier.' In the Credit
Nobili sr business. officials we're bribed
Go corruptly act in their official capacity
and give life and value thereby to
corrupt scheme to fitch money from the
Treasury. In this affair no one has
/, been wild enough even to dare insi-
nuatc that the Senators and Members
of the lover House who invested in
PAN Electric stock, had any purpose of
tegisiating the stock into value.
There has been nothing in the official
or personal relation of Attorney Gene
raj Garland to this case, up to this time,
chat il not consistent with the highest
integrity aud honor. He has not used
his official position or influence in the
sliglitest degree to promote he suit
ag:iinsf the Bell Company. On the con-
trary, when application was made to
him TO bring suit he promptly declined
because he happened tn hold shares in
the Pau Electric Company. In declin-
ing to act, he referred the whole sub
ject to the Solicitor General, and that
official, who had no stock in either COM
pany. found a state of things that war
ranted The bringing of a suit.
The matter then Went entirely our Of
the hauds of Mr.. Garland, and it is
stated by those in position to speak ad-
visediy that he knows nothing about
che preparation of the case, or the plans
OF the Government. He and Mr..
GoD(ie have. not exchanged Il word
upon the subject of tho suits, and Mr..
Garland instructed the chief clerk oi
his Department to hand Mr.. Goo,ae all
aefters that are received bearing upon
the matter. The President will not
even consult Mr.. Garland in the selec
Zion at Il place where the suit shall be
brought.
All that you hear about Mr.. Garland's
resignation lis nbneseEse. The presi-
dent would not br likely to accept il it
it were rendered He was satisfied
months ago with Mr.. Garland's txpla
nation OF his connection with tile case,
and The Attorney General then ex
Administration felt any embarrass-
ment over the coming discussion But :
Mr.. Garland will not BIZ driven ont OF !
the Cabinet, nor the suits prevented,
by newspaper abuse.
The great contest between the presl-
dent and the Republican majority in
the Senate threatens to evaporate for
want Of earnestness or rather because
The President will not surrender his
prerogative at the beck