Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-11-18
NATIONAL POLITICS.
The President on Civil
Service.
THE SAN DIEGO VOTE.
California Postal Changes-New
York Women in School
Politics.
THE SAN DIEGO VOTE.

ing correspondence is made public by the
President tonight: .f4
NEosHo. Mo-, November 10.
To Hon. A. II. Garland, Attorneu- General.
WdShfngt0n:
DEAR sIR:-Your letter of the LIST instant,
apprising me of the basis of my suspension
from ONCE as Attorney Of the United States
for the western district of Missouri is re-
ceived. I desire to make plain statement
of the facts in relation to the list of appoint
ments to make campaign speeches. The
United States District Court, for the East
ern Division District, convened on the eth
day Of September. I had been there with
my assistant several days prior to that date,
preparing cases for trial. The Dis
trict business. except few pleas of
guilty, we finished on September oath,
and on the following day the court adjourn
ed. ON the night OF the 25th went 70 JEFF
ferson City. l then went to Kansas City,
and Rush, my assistant, and prepared our
selves for the October term of court for the
W estern Division. Meanwhile had, at the
earnest solicitation OF Messrs. E Dockery,
Crayens and others, candidates for Con-
yress, and the Democratic state Central
ators Cockrell and Vest. agreed to make
some campaign speeches. After SO arreng-
ing them as to time, SO rs not to Interfere
with my official business, gave the list to
d. H. Shields, Chairman, and this list
September Goth at P. NJ at Aurora, Mo.
The appointments were made on each side
of my district SO could and did reach Kan
sas Citv once each week to LOOK after rou-
Rush, was in the office all the time I was
away. Two of my appointments were made
at Webb City and Sarcoxo, conveniently to
Joplin, where appeared in two important
cases ON the 9th day of October. before
Clerk Crawford, United st ties Commission
er. / filled my engagements to Saturday, Oc-
tober 10th. At Seneca, Monday, october
10th. the District Court for the Western d.
vision began the term. Every indictment
and information was prepared and in con-
was dismissed at noon of the third
day. had thought l would get through
with the business of this short term in one
week. l had an engagement to speak dur
ing that week. One at st. Joseph did not
fill. The other at Kansas City did fill at
night after the adjournment of Court.
found on Saturday, the 23d OF october that
had six important cases which l believed
should be tried. On that night came here
and got my partner, Hen. Joseph Crayens,
James Evans. of Nichols, Green county.
beginning eel % with Southwest City,
on the 26th of October, and imme-
diately l returned to Kansas s, City, THs,
District Court docket was called. / re-
mained in court and attended the cases
unit I received the Presidents letter sus.
pending me. AS to my record as public
officer, | am willing for the department re.
Of circui. and district courts and those who
had business with the office to say. re-
lied ON the following clause In the Presi-
dents letter of July 10Th in making engage.
ments to speak: "Individual interest and
activity in political affairs are by
no means condemned. Office holders
are neither disfranchized Ior forbid
den to exercise their political privileges
but their privilege is not enlarged, nor Is
their duty to the party increased to perni-
cious activity by office-holding." If max
ing political speeches is the cause of my
suspension. can make no defense, but II 1t
is inferred / neglected mo official duties by
SO doing. am not guilty, and ask i1r iuil
this communication to be referred to the
President with such recommendation as
you deem just. 1 have but to add that
had no idea that making political speeches
would be taken to be violation OF the
Presidents letter of July 10, 1886.
Very respectfully,
TSignedI M. E. BENTON.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, November 10th.
Hon. M. E. BENTON.
DEAR SIR:-Your letter of the 10th inst,
addressed to the Attorney General, has
sidered. Its frank tone and all l know of
your character convinces me OF the truth
therein related, touching on matters Which
led to your suspension from once; When
1 issued the warning to office holders 10
which you refer as an order, | ex-
pected to be much harrassed by all man,
ner of loose and frivolous tales originated
in malice or disappointment and dellberaie
design on the part of political enemies 70
annoy and embarrass me dc coacerHhng mn rraS .ne
ent administration in "pernicious activity
in politics against which my warming was
directed, l did not intend to condemn tne
making of political speeches 6y feoeraii !
any time and place where 1t was merely IN
cideptal. believe in divorcing the condact
of the citizen from the use Of oficial lnnu,
ence In political campaig ms illustrating az az
times the truth that Official DUTY Is para. ns.
In your letter showing you did not permiiut
campaign engagements to interfere WIN
the performance of official duties ana pc
lief In the truth of your allegation that you
supposed ypu done have Induced
me to rescind the order suspenoing you
from office and reinstate you to the same.
Yours very truly.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND
THE PRESIDENT TO GARLAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON. Nov. l2th.
Hon. A. G. Garland. Attorney General
Sir: Having fully examined and consio-
ered the statement contained in the letter
of M. Z. Benton, which you submitted to
me at the time OF our consultation concern.
ing the matter therein referred to, nave
determined to rescind the order suspenoitns I
Benton from the office of United states AZ,
torney for the Western District OF MISSOURI
aud direct that he be notified OF his rein
statement to that office.
Very respectfully yours.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WAsHINGToN, November l7.-The enec' Oh