Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-11-25
"a PUBLIC TRUSTv
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND DEFINES
PROPER CAMPAIGN WORK.
Oficial Duty Must be Paramount ia
Partisan Service.
The Order Suspending District AttOr
ney BentOn, of Missouri,
Rescinded.

WASHINGTON, Nov. I'm. f.. Ben
ton, who was suspended from the posi-
ton of United States district attorney
in Missouri by President Cleveland for
making political speeches, has written
4 long letter to the President explain
ing that these speeches did not inter
fere with his official duties. The fol-
lowing is President Cleveland's answer
in full:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
November 16. I
Hon. NJ. f. Benton:
DEAR SIR:-Your letter of the 10th
inst. addressed to the Attorney Cen
eral has been submitted to me and care
fully considered. It's frank tone and
all know of your character convincps
me of the truth therein related, touch
ing matters which led to your suspen-
sion from office. When | issued u
warning to officehOlders. to which you
refer to as an "Order," / expected to
be much harrassed by all manner of
loose and frivolous tales originating in
malice or disappointment on the part
of political enemies to annoy and en-
barass appointees under the present ad-
IlllLlSLTdllOiis IlopttI, IpWcNtI, NY
the careful consideration of the spirit
as we'll as language of such warning,
those in good faith intending to respect
it might not be in doubt as to its mean
ing and would themselves apply it to
conditions and circumstances which it
was impossible for me to specify.
/ did not intend to condemn the
making of a political speech to his
neighbors and friends, nor at any time
or place where it was merely incidental,
if the speech itself was decent and fair.
But do not think such official can en-
ter as business political campaign
and consenting to long list of engage
ments address political meetings, wide
ly separated and of daily recurrence,
and fill such engagements without neg
lecting his duty if he holds an office
worth having; nor without taking with
him in the canvass his official power
and influence.
Therefore this course is condemned.
The number of speeches that can be
properly made cannot be specified, nor
the time when, place where, or circum-
stances under which they are proper;
nor can their character he prescribed
Buta correct line of conduct can be
determined on without difficulty.
l believe that to follow the spirit Of
the admOnition given, by directing the
conduct of the citizen from the use OF
official influence in political campaigns
illustrates Mt all times the truth that
official duty is paramount to partisan
service, and maintains the dignity Of
office holding.
I;,f t,I-o., f.on, 4, ,,,u,,,oo
per and submitted to me, contains
engagements to speak, made by yOul
consent, daily for quite long period
and not unfrequently twice day, ir
different parts of the State of Missouri
and, | was led to believe, on many O
the days specified the court at which
you had duties to perform was in ses
sion. This seemed to me to present /
case of fragrant, defiant neglect of Off
cial duty, and propriety; and even witt
the explanation given, your course ap
pears to be thOughtless, and at leas
subject to criticism. But the statement
in your letter showing you did not per
init campaign engagements to interfere
with the performance of your Oificia
duty, your satisfactory discharge O.
such duty during your term. and the
belief in the truth of your allegation
that you honestly supposed you might
properly do all that was done, have in
duced me to rescind the order suspend
ing you from office and reinstate you tC
the same. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND, |
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Nov. II. !
Hon. A. H. Garland:
SIR:-Having fully examined and
considered the statements contained in
the letter of Maecenas Benton, which
you submitted to me at the time of oul
consultation concerning the matter
therein referred to. l have determined
to rescind the order suspending Benton
from the office of attorney of the
United States for the western district OF
Missouri, and direct he be notified OF
his reinstatement to that office.
Very respectfully yours,
GROVER CLEVELAND.