Bismarck weekly tribune., 1886-10-15
CLIFFORD / no PIERCE.
The Former Pitches Into the Cover
nor and the Latter Shows a
Curious Document.
Clifford Didn't Want the Governor
to Resign Because 1T Would
Hurt All Of U.s.
An Interesting interview.

iuSt. JuuSe GlHOr0 gave GOV. Pierce Stal
Wart slap by saying that lin the whole ter
fice who had shown a disposition to hold
on, and he had proven a traitor to his party
and was now held in contempt by al
j classes" i.sg1&. Il 1-7
A reporter Of the TRIBUNE took this LITTLE
bit of literature in his hand yesterday, anG
wandering up to the capitol handed it tc
Gov. Pierce. Much to his surprise smile
stole over the governors face as he reaG
it.
sWhy do you laugh" said the reporter
:Don't you believe it ?" S,
"Why Of course not" replied the gov
ernor. "lt is impossib lie that Clifford should
say that about me.'
"Why ?" ..J
"Why because Clifford himself asked me
not to resign"
"You don't mean it ?''
| Certainly l do.'' -;
"But didn't he say substantially the same
thing about you to reporter for the Pho
neer Press last spring in Washington ?"
$50 heard"
"Did you not verify it ?' ..a.-. .
"Some of the newspaper boys told me
| that he said what was reported in the Pho
neer Press, but it is scarcely possible that a
| man Of honor like Clifford wonld make such
statement in the face of his request to me,
and therefore say no." -
"Did he make the request that you re-
main as governor in writing?'
"Yes."
"Have you got the letter."
eyes" 2
"Will you let me see it %
"Oh, there is nothing private about it,
Then the governor slowly opened a
drawer and took out letter written on pa
per bearing the printed heading, "Office of
0. s. Clifford, Canton, Dakota" and the re-
porter read as follows:
CANTON, OAK, March %, 1886.
MY DEAR GOVERNOR: It is rumored
me to suggest that you had better not do
this My idea is for every republican office
holder to hold on and compel the demo-
Gratis to show their policy clearly in refer
ence to our territory. If you resign it will,
to great degree, let them out of their diff
ficulty; they will then get rid of you with
ment of a (democratic) governor will at
once be made, and the fight among
themselves will, to great extent end, T
think it will be the best for all of us and as
we'll for you, in every sense, to retain the
office. Most respectfully
o. S. CLIFFORD.
The reporter laid the letter down and
marvelled at the way of politicians.
"Perhaps, Mr.. Clifford makes this charge
now owing to your appointment of a DEM
ocrat attorney general" he suggested.
"Oh, no." replied the governor, ''for had
not appointed democrat at the time of the
Washington interview. Beside, Mr.. Gift
ford is not opposed to democratic appoint
ments, as he himself recommended
the appointment of democrat for
governor From all these things, think it
must be that that there is some mistake
about these reported attacks upon me. 1t
must be some other man, and the gov
ernor turned around to his desk, and the
reporter turned away.
The Most Impressive of All.
The Deadwood bar rendered banquet to
the judges of the supreme court and to
Hon. W.. E. Church and Hon. G. M. Thomas,
the old and new judges, in that city, Thurs
day evening, October 9th. Judge G. G
Bennett served as toast master and pro
posed the following toast, of which the
Black Hills Pioneer gives the following
synopsis:
The bench and bar: with mutual respect and
mutual esteem, may they strive together for the
highest attainment in the just administration of
the law with the greatest zeal consistent with the
highest courtesy.
Response to this toast was made by w.
II. Francis. This gentleman made the
most. eloquent and impressive speech of the
evening, ana received many congratula-
he handled the subject We regret that
| the lateness of the hour precluded the pos
| sibility OF reproducing it in full, as the
meagre outlines which we are compelled to
| give but family convey an idea of it's real
| beauty and matchless effort as word pic
ing that the human voice, that most
beautiful Of all musical instruments,
was never better employed than in re-
spending to- words Of welcome, and espec-
tally such welcome as had been extended
to the visitors Of the evening by gentlemen
region of Dakota. Dull indeed would be
the intellect and sluggish the heart that
could not respond to the toast just pro-
pounded, and he felt more than honOred
and appreciated the compliment paid him
in selecting him to make the reply. The
toast should be changed and be "the bar and
bench" as first came the bar and then the
bench, as no one was fit to occupy the latter
unless he had been good lawyer and had
contended in the arena where were matched
the bright intellect and garnered wisdom
Of years in good natured combat.
The minister, the artist the physician and
the scientists who wrested the secrets from
mother earth, or delved into the mysteries
of the heavens, were all engaged in high
and honorable callings, but all relied on the
Great Law Giver who surmounts them all.
Courtesy between lawyers, the gentlemen
designated, is sublime when manifested be-
tween legal gladiators fighting hard for
laurels and renown. He feelingly referred
to the great courtesy existing between the
bar and bench of the territory, and said a
superstructure was being built for the fu-
ture which shall last for all time to come
and will rest on the foundation now being
laid. He extended welcome hand on be-
half of the bar and bench of the territory to
the gentleman from the blue grass region
| (Charles NJ Thomas) and promised aid and
encouragement, and hoped that he would
| hox I.