Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-18
REINSTATED.
An ORDER OF REMOVAL RRscrNDED
By THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE.
District-Attornsy Benton, Of Missouri, Re-
moved for Political Activity. Replaced
BY President Cleveland.
rBy telegraph 20 the Dispatch. ]

WASHINGTON, u. c.. November lids
irict-Attorney' Benton, o! Missouri. who
was suspended by President Cleveland
upon charges OF violating the Executive
order against Undue political activity by
ofbce-bolders, has been reinstated. The
correspondence between District. Attorney
Benton, Acknowledgement Garland, and
President Cleveland Is made public to-
night. Benton, on November 10th. wrote
10 Attorney. General Garland protesting
against bis suspension. In his letter he
saws: "Iftbe making Of political speeches
~ The cause OF my suspension j can make
no defence; but il IL is inferred that ne
elected my Official duties by so doing. / am
not guilty. and ask the fullest scrutiny into
the facts" This letter was referred to the
President, whose reply Is as follows:
EXECUTIVE Mansion,
WASHINGTON, u. c., Nov. 16, 1856.
Hon. IL. E. benton:
Dear Sir,-YOur letter OF the 10th in
slant, addressed TO the Attorncy-Generai,
has been submitted TO the and carefully
considered. It's frank tone and all know
Of your character convince me that the
truth Is therein related touching the mat.
ters which led 10 your suspension from Of
fee. When issued the warning to Office
holders, to which you refer as an "orJer,"
| expected 10 be much harassed by ali
manner OF loose and frivolous tales.
originating In malice or disappointment
aud deliberate design on the part OF
political enemies TO annoy and embarrass,
concerning indulgence and spp0intees I'M
der the present Administration in "perni-
ciOus activity" in politics, against which
rt.,sr y "A n ~ L..
ever, that, by careful consideration OF the
spirit a. well ~ the language Of such warm
ing, those in good faith intending TO re-
speCt il might not be in doubt as TO it,
meaning, and would themselves apply
/, TO conditions and circumstance
which it wa. impossible for lac to
specify. I did not intend to condemn
the making Of political speeches by Fede.
raj official to his neighbors and friends, nor
at any time and place where II was merely
incidental, II the speech itself was decent
and fair; but do not think that such an
official can enter as a business a political
campaign and consent TO long list OF en-.
gagemeDts to address political meetings
without neglecting his duty. II he holds an
office worth having, nor without taking
with him in the canvass his official power
and influence. Therefore this course i
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
q correct line OF conduct can be determined
on without difficulty, / believe, in the
light Of desire TO follow the spirit
Of the admonition given. by d-
yorcing the conduct OF the citizen
from the use Of official influence in political
campaigns illustrating at all times the
truth that official duty il paramount to
partisan service; maintaining the dignity
Of ofiice-holdiDg, avoiding any pfetence Of
control over the political action OF others
by reason 81 official place, and teaching a
lesson TO the people that public positions
are not bestowed or held under the pledge
Of active partisan service. A printed list,
taken from newspaper submitted T. me,
contained engagements 10 speak, made by
your consent, daily for quite a long PERIOD.
and not unirequently twice day. in dIf.
icrtnt parts Of the State OF Missouri. and |
was led TO believe that on many Of the DAYS
specified the court at which you had duties
TO perform was IN session. This seemed to
me 10 present "A case OF fragrant,
defiant neglect Of official duty and
propriety, and, even with the eX.
PLANTATION given, your course appears 10 be
thoughtless, and st least subject 10 criu-
cism. But the statement in your letter
showing that you did not permit campaign
engagements to interfere with the perform
ance Of official duty, your satisfactory dis
charge Of such duty during ysur term, and
the belief in the truth Of your allegation
that you honestly supposed you might pro-
perry do sll that was actually done, have
induced me TO rescind the order suspend
ing you from Office and TO reinstate you TO
the same. Yours very truly,
lSigned1 GROVER CLEVELAND.