The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-12-01
WILLIAM !. STONE.
LIE PRESIDENTS !ANswEE.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Nov. 233, 1Sc

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Nov. -, 1886.
lion. 4. II. GnrIanG. iNu'HGy Ge"era!::
DEAR SIR have read the lettc: OF
the 18th inst, written to you by William
\. Stone, lateI Y suspended from Office as;
District Attorney Ior the Western Dis
trict of Pennsylvania, and the subject
matter to which It refers has received my
careful consideration. l shall not im-
pute to the writer any nlischicrous mo.
tive in his plainly erroneous assumption
that his case and that Of ". Z. Benton,
recently suspended and reinstated, rest
upon the same state of facts, but prefer
to regard his letter as containing the
best statement possible upon the ques-
ton Of his reinstatement.
You remember, Of course, that soon
after the present administration was in
stalled, and, J. think nearly a year and u
hall ago, considered with you certain
charges which had been preferred
against Mr. Stone as a Federal official.
You rember, too, that the action We then
contemplated was withheld oy reason OF
the excuses and explanations OF his
friends. These excuses and explanations
induced me to believe that Mr.. Stones
retention would insure a faithful per-
formance of official duty; and that what
ever offensive partisanship he had
deemed justiiabIe in other circnm-
stances, he would during his continu-
ancc,,in Office at his request, undcran ac-
ministration opposed to him il political
creed and policy, content himself with e
quiet and unobtrusive enjoyment OF his
political privileges. | certainly sup
posed that his sense Of propricty wouid
cause him 10 refrain from pursuing such
a partisan course as would wantonly
offend and ilritate the friends OF the adj
ministration who insisted that he should
not be retained in office, either because
OF his personal merit or in adherence to
the methods which for 4 long time had
prevailed in the distribution OF Federal
offices.
In the light OF q better system, and
without considering the political ailiiia-
tions, Mr.. Stone, when permitted TO rc-
main in Office, became IL part Of the busi-
ness organization OF the present admin
istration, bound by every obligation Of
honor to assist, within his sphere, IL its
successful operation. Tics obligation
involved 40; only the proper perform
ance OF official duty, but a certain good
faith and fidelity which, wnilc not oxaci
ing the least sacrifice OF political pr;nci
pie, forbade active participation IN pure
ly partisan demonstrations OF Il pso-
nounced type, undertaken for the pur-
pose OF advancing partisan interests, and
conducted upon the avowcl theory tint
the administration OF the government
WIS not entitled to the confidence and,
respect of the people. There IS 70 dis
pute whatever concerning the Iact t:iat
Mr Stone did join others who were c,;lt:
paigning the State of Pennsylvania il
opposition to the administration. lt&p-
pears, too, that hc vas active and neu:l-
incnt with noisy enthusiasm IN att"4,:-
ance upon at least two large public meet
ings; that the speeches at such mce,:oss
were largely devoted to abuse and mas
representation Of the administrations:
that he approved al this and actually
addressed the meetings himself in so;Hc-
what the same strain; that he attended
such meetings away from his nome ;"f
the purpose of making sllcn addresses.
and that he was advertised Us one OF liz.
speakers at each Of said meetings.
| shall accept us true til' statement o.
Mr.. Stone iii;tt tue time spent by ana J.!
thus demonstrating his Willingness 10.