The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-21

dian commissioner. nave not regarded
myself commissioner since June l3
neither am | responsible for the conduct
OF its business or entitled to its emolu
ments. Yours truly, ]. d. G. ATKINS.
Milan, Tenn, August 10, 1885,
From the Nashville American.
Gen. Atkins.
The attempt is being made to fix on
Gen. Atkins stigma by assuming that
though he resigned his Office us Commits
sioner OF Indian affairs, he contemplates
drawing his salary for the time he is max
ing the canvass, and is winking at having
his salary put away for him.
The american is not the champion OF
either OF the distinguished gentlemen who
are making the canvass for United States
Senator, but it will not see palpable in
Justice done any one OF Tennessee's public
men, who has been faithful as a public
servant and not defend him. Tennessee
is interested in the good name OF her pub
lie men.
For a public officer-a man holding D.
high office under the jurisdiction Of the
United States-to have 1t published that he
had resigned, as he did do, and separate
himself IRON the work, come home and de-
vote himself to getting or trying 10 get
another Office, and failing-or succeeding
go back and draw the salary out OF the
treasury for all the time he spent in trying
TO get the other office, would be an abase-
ment in public life which we undertake 10
say no Tennessean holding high public
trust will ever reach.
IL Is not matter OF law or custom. II
Ia .aNN 81
has been long in public life, filling low
and high places, executing all manner OF
public trusts, both in Federal and State
affairs. We know him well. We know
the stuff he is made Off and we say-we
speak because he is not in reach since this
charge was made-we say that the man
does not live who protects his reputation
from dishonor with more elevated heroism
than J. ID. @. Atkins. There never has
been the smell OF fire on his garments, and
TO insinuate that he intends to make a
pretense OF resgning, being conscious that
the money is put away for him-abandon
the Office and make a race for another Of
fee. and then go back and take the
money, Is 10 charge that he is dishonest.
IL Is not question that turns upon tech
nicalities, IL turns on common honesty.
We know Gov Harris and Gen. Atkins
both, and we say that neither one OF
them would 50 degrade himself and his
official station. Gen. Atkins election 10
the Senate Is a matter that would not
weigh one feather with him II IL came 10
a question Of dishonoring his good name.
Gen. Atkins salary.
Prom the Nashville Democrat
In reply TO the Democrats comments on
the question concerning Gen. Atkins sal
AIRY, the Banner says, that while Gen. AZ
kins is in law entitled to his salary, he
would not act unwisely were he 10 turn
his salary back into the treasury, and thai
such an act should not be snecred at as
having the appearance Of buncombe vir.
tue. The Democrat is Of different opin.
Ion. II believes that Gen. Atkins Is emit.
tied 10 the salary and that he should draw
H. IL has been customary in the case oil
government officials 10 allow n reasonable
vacation without stoppage Of SALARY: tho
same rule prevails In private business 10 q
large extent, and IL would be nothing un.
reasonable nor unusual 20 permit Gen.
Atkins 10 draw his salary for limited
time while he Is yet holding the office
OF Indian Commissioner. II Gen. At
kins should at this late day refuse
10 accept his salary and order Il turned
back into the treasury, II would certainly
have the appearance OF buncombc alice
tation Of virtue for the simple reason that
Gen. Atkins would have waited until he
was criticised aud ccnsurcd before takins
the step. Gen. Atkins knew that his sal
airy was deposited for him with the finan.
cial clerk OF the interior department, and
lac gave no hint OF an intention 10 refus
H. for the simple reason that he IL handy
the man 10 make himself ridiculous b,
fastening 10 do the mock purity act be.
cause OF n foolish and unwarranted criti
cism. Tue MEMPHIS ArrEAL, in its eager
ness, does Gen. Atkins an injustice BY
making n great flourish OF the fact thai
Gen. Atkins had not drawn his salary
while conccaling the fact that II was do
posted, with his knowledge, subject 10 hi
order.
Tho Bauner IL mistaken In supposin,
that the Democrat has In any way, "adroit
ly' or otherwise, criticised Gen. Atkins ion
his absence from official duties. though II
he were ut all subject 10 ccnsure on thsi.-
score the Banners defense would be
poor one. Gen. Atkins has, indeed, ten
dcrcd his resignation, Isn't IL was rendered
W ''N' 'aNNA uFNh tlt appointment OF M
successor. Until tho appointment Of thai
successor Gen. Atkins IL not only nomi.
nally and technically but actually at the
head OF the Indian bureau. Upon no one
else except himself DO the duties OF Indian
commissioner deyolvc, and he left Wash.
ington 10 engage In the senatorial contcz
knowing that Tor an indefinite time biz
successor would not be appointed.
We have no doubt that Zen. Atkins la
kept himself advised ms 10 the state o,
Affairs in his office, and would return a
any time his services were impcrativelI
needed, Just NJ Senator Harris kept him
self advised rs 10 the business Of Congress
and returned promptly rs soon as hi
presence was required in Washington,
cnncclling all his untitled engagements and
leaving the field 30 his competitor.
What the DtmOerm has ccnsurcd VA,
tho disposition Of certain newspapers, lik,
IHE MENrnis ArrEAt, Co make n violent
attack upon Senator Harris for a tcmporar,
absence irom Congress when his service,
were not specially needed, and 10 overlook
the fact that Gen. Atkins was in the sane
category.
River Teleur.uu.