The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-11-25
BENTON RE.,Ns1ATEp.

The Prss1dsnt Re-instases Dsstrice Aeeof.
ney Bestoa and 1t the same rime Givse
Hts Views On "O@sus,ve Pnrtissnship."
WARRINGTON, Nov. lathe correspond
encs relating to the suspension OF n. 4
Benton. United States District Attorney fsa
tho Western district Of Missouri, has been
made public. Mr.. Benton, in letter to
the Attorney General stated that previous
70 hls suspension he had cancsied oil on.
g"gsmsnts to make political speeches thas
interfered with his Official dlties. which
letter was handed to the President who
Vroee to Mr.. Benton - follows:
THE PRIsIDENr'S LxrT1R.
10 Hon. n. E. Benton:
kxECcTIvD MANSION, WASHINGTON, d. Cs
NOV. 8.Doar Sir: Your letter OF the 10th in
stsnt addressed to tho Attorney General has
been submitted 10 me and carefully con-.
eidered. Its frank tone and all 1 know OF
your character convince me that the truth 10
therein related touching the matters which
Issued the warning TO offioehoders to which
you refer a. order" expected to be much
harassed BY all manner OF loose and frivolous
tales. originating in malicious feeling or dis
appointment and q deliberate design on tho
part Of political enemies to annoy and en-
tarrass concerning Indulgence by Apo. nteee
niciOus act witty N politics against wh CHI my
warning was directed I hoped, however.
that BY . careful considerat on OF the
spirit az well as the LANGUAGE in such
to respect IL might not be in doubt
as to tho meaning and would themselves
apply it to conditions and circumstances
which il was impossible for mo to spec fy. ]
did not intend to condemn tho max nS of .
pol tical speech by n Feneral official TO his
neighbOrs and friends for any time and place
where IL was merely incidental. X the speech
tself was decent ana far. But l do not
think that such an official can enter - q
business into pOlit cal campaign and con-
sentins 10 q long LIST OF engagements to ad-
dress pol teal meet ugs widely separaie ed and
of daily recurrence NIL such un engagement
without neglecting his duty il he holds an
once worth having. nor without taking with
h m in the canvass his Official power and in
huence. Therefore this course is con-
domned.
NO EXACT LIMITS SET.
The number OF speeches. that can be prOD-
erly made can not he specified, nor the tmo
when, the place where, or the crcum-
stances in which thoy are proper. nor can
their character be prescribed. But cor
rect line Of conduct can be determined on
without difficulty, believe. in the light of q
desire to follow in the sprt OF admoniton
given BY divOfcing the conduct OF a citizen
from the use OF official influence in pOlit cal
campaigns. illustrating ut all times the truth
that Official DUTY 10 paramount to partisan
serv &C. ma ntaning the dignity of Office
holding: ave ding any pretenso Of control
OF oficial place and teaching the lesson to
the people that public positions are not be.
slowed or held under a pledge OF active
partisan service.
printed list taken from q newspaper and
submitted to me contained engagements to
speak, made BY your consent, daily for quite
q long period, and not unfrequentiy twice n
da IN different parts Of the State OF Missouri,
and was led to believe that many OF the
da,s specified a court. ut which you had
duties to perform. was in session, This
seemed to me to present case Of fragrant.
defiant neglect Of Official duty and prOpr ety.
and. even with the explanation given. your
course APPEARS to be thOughtless and at least
subject to criticism.
RE.INsrATEp IN HIS OFFICE
But tho statement in your letter showing
that you did not permit campaign engage
ments to interfere with the performance of
oficial duty. your satisfactory discharge Of
such duty during your term. and belief in
the truth Of your allegation that YOU honest
" supposed that you might properly do all
that was actually done. have induced me to
rescind the order suspendng you from Office
aud to re-instate you to tho same. Yours
very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.