The Portland daily press., 1886-11-18
Secretary MannIng.s Health.

secretary Manntng'S Health.
Secretary Manning is improving very
rapidly, and, except on Cabinet days, does a
lalr proportion OF the work. He has, how
ever, not yet been able to walk over to the
White House, as was his custom before his
illness. He Is now helped to the elevator by
MS colored man and gets out at the lower
east exit, where but few steps are encoun-
tered. His carriage awaits him at the curb,
ana with much difficulty he is helped into il.
lie Is quite lame, which painfully contrasts
with the springy step he once had, despite
his portly form. He seldom used an elevator
then, but walked down the stairway and
out the west door and across to the White
House, mounting the steps without the least
sign of fatigue.
Another Maine Postmaster.
The Postmaster General today appointed
the following fourth class postmasters;
A. ID. Davis, Tenants Harbor Me-
Marion G. Kendall saltwater, n. III.
G. W. Simpson, East Craftsbury, VT
Presidential Appointments.
The President today made the following
appointments to be consuls of the United
States:
Chas. Jonas Of Wisconsin, at Prague.
z. T. Grellet of Colorado at Algiers.
Edmund johnson of New Jersey, at Kehl
Kiang
Pay Director James Fulton, U.s.N., to be
Oulcl Vi tnt DhTtdu OF ff0NlSlOnS ana clothing
and Paymaster General Of the United States
Navy.
An Expensive Undertaking.
A gentleman who has recently returned
from Canada says that the Canadian govern
mentls likely to encounter new obstacles in
its efforts to maintain the cruisers to watch
the American fishermen in the matter Of ex-
penses. The recent Canadian balance shows
that the government run nearly $4,000, 900
behind last year, and the expenses of main
tanning the fishing cruisers is considerable.
Prior to the purchase of the last iron steamer
1t cost the Canadian government $1,000 per
week to maintain this preventive and de
tective service. Six vessels were employed
at an average cost of s., 900 each, and It may
be doubtful whether the government will
feel like continuing this large expense.
The Statue of Liberty.
Commodore Benham, inspector of the
Third lighthouse district, which embraces
Bedloes Island, is ordered to take steps for
the lighting of the Bartholdi Statue of
Liberty as soon as possible: The light will
cost about $3.50 per month, it is estimated
Attorney Benton ReInstated.
President Cleveland has reinstated Maece-
mas II. Benton, United States Attorney for
the Western District of Missouri, who was
suspended last month for participating in
the State political campaign. Mr.. Benton
wrote to Attorney General Garland under
date Of November 10, explaining that he
agreed TO make campaign speeches at the
earnest solicitation OF Messrs. Dockeray,
Craveno, and others, candidates for Con-
gress, and the Democratic State Central
Committee, and with the knowledge of Sem
ators Cockerell and Vest; that he arranged
the dates Of his speeches to in no way con-
tllct with his engagements as attorney for
the government, and that when in one or
two instances he found that his business
would be interfered with he got other speak
ers to fill his appointments. In conclusion
he said:
81 relied on the following clauses of the
Presidents letter of July 10 in making en-
gagements to speak:
Office holders are neither disfranchsed nor for
hidden the exercise Of political privileges, but
their privileges are not enlarged nor is their duty
to party increased TO pernici0us activity by office
holding.
''If the making of political speeches Is
the cause of my suspension, l can make no
defence; but il it is inferred that neglected
my official duties by so doing, L am not
guilty, and ask the fullest investigation into
the facts"
President Cleveland wrote to Benton yes
terday, saying among other things that he
was satisfied of the truth of Benton's ex-
PLANTATION. The President stated he did not
intend to condemn the making of political
speeches by federal official TO his neighbOrs
and friends, nor at any time and place where
was decent and fair; but he does not think
such an official can enter political cam
paign as a canvasser, and make long list of
appointments to speak in widely separated
localities without neglecting his duty, or
without taking with him into the campaign
his official power and influence. Therefore
this course is condemned. The number of
speeches an official may be able to make
without interfering with his duties cannot
be specified, and this question must be left
to the honesty of the official, who should be
governed by the spirit of the Presidents
warning. The President explains the sus-
pension of Benton by stating that he read
in the newspapers a long list of his engage
ments to speak in various parts Of Missouri,
sometimes twice day at a time when the
President knew the courts were in session,
and he concluded Benton must be neglecting
his duties to keep these engagements. He
expressed himself as satisfied that Benton
did not keep the appointments according to
the list published, and that he did not neglect
his duties.
In conclusion the President states that in
his opinion Benton's course in the campaign
was open to some criticism, but that there
was no apparent intention of violating the
spirit of the Presidents warning to office
holders. The order for Benton's suspension
is therefore rescinded.