National Republican., 1886-08-05
A REMARKABLE CASE
OF Political Perhdy and Unjust Deal
ing-A Reproach to the Department

OF Political Perfidy and Unjust Deal
ing-A Reproach to the Department
of Justice.
The report Of the judiciary committee of
the Senate upon the nomination OF Hustavus
Van Hoorebeke to be district attorney for
the southern district Of Illinois, vice James
A. Connolly, suspended, has been made pub
lie. 1t says:
Connolly, who filed tho Office from 1876 till
the dOte OF his suspension by President Clove-
land, was n faithful and efficient officer. I'M
mediately afler the last presidential election he
announced his determination to resign, but
was induced to withhold his resignation by
reason OF political interests and conditions
States senator was depending, and the con-
tending forces were about equally divided.
The belief was entertained by the Democratic
candidate that the resignation Of MIR. Connolly
would tend to complicAte his chances for hold.
TO himself
II Mr. Connolly should resign pending tho
senatorial contest successor would have to be
selected. Several persons had made known
their determination to be applicants for Mr..
Connolly's position on the change of national
administration. IL seemed important to the
Democratic candidate for the Office. OF United
States senator not To be forced to declare his
choice in respect of who should succeed Mr..
Connolly. He caused a friend to interview
hold his resignation until a liberalization of
the senatorial contest could be reached. At
first Mr.. Connolly declined but finally con.
sented, with the distinct understanding that
whenever his resignation should be desired he
would be notified, in order that he might for
ward 1t, and not be subjected tosuspension or
removal. There seems to be no doubt of thi s
definite understanding. IL was also agreed
that the Attorney.General should be notified OF
this arrangement, and he was informed of it."
senator Cullom called upon the Attorney
n n IN IN
interview left no doubt in the senator's
mind that Connolly would be notified when
his resignation should be desired On the 10th
OF june 1885, Connolly received notice from
the President that he was suspended, aud on
the same day a Chicago paper published a
Washington dispatch embodying the sub
aminer of the Department of Justice, in which
he manifested tae partisan spirit in which he
had pursued the investigation Of Mr.. Con.
nolly's conduct IN his office"
The report OF the special agent was filed in
the Department of Justice on the ID of May,
1885. II was made In response to instructions
given by the Attorney General 70 the special
examiner on April lG, 1885, No notice was
given to Connolly of Its character, nor even OF
It's existence. When IL was communicated to
the committee Connolly was informed OF Its
character and contents and he has made an
swer to each and every feature Of II In such
manner and effectiveness as to satisfy tho COM
mittee that II is unfair, untruthfnl, and that It
ought not, either In its statements or its CON
ever against the general good repute of Mr..
Connolly concerning his administration.
The committee says In conclusion:
II may be a matter OF curious inquiry why
the Attorney General should have allowed
such report to remain on the files of his de-.
partment without notice TO Mr.. Connolly and
without some reference to 1t in tho interview
had with Senator Cullom In respect of the re-
signation. OF the accused officer. That such a
state of facts could exist anywhere is mol pleas
ant TO believe, but that 1t should be found tn
the Department of Justice Is reproaeh to ita
name, and II seems TO tho committee that the
demands of fair play and common justice re-
quire that the course pursued In this case
should not receive the approval ofthe Senate.
Therefore, the committees % without intimating
anything to the hurt of the nominee in this
case or remotely orotherwise suggesting that
he is not fit person to be intrusted with the
responsible duties of the Office to which he has
been nominated, do recommend that he be
not confirmed,
When the nomination Of Van Hoorebeke
was reached upon the calendar, 1t was
passed over with the understanding that 1t
should not be again TAX en- up.