Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-10-10
Philips on BuIks.

1t developed last week that Judge
John F. Philips. of the United States
District Court, Kansas City, has beer
j, drawn into the grain inspectorship
I fight. A few days ago he received q
letter from Marshal signed by j. G.
Withers and J. B. Wagner. The let
ter stated that the signers represented
the sentiment expressed at the recent
Indignation meeting in Saline County,
and asked Judge Philips to withdraw
his Endorsement of Jasper Burks for
State Grain Inspector. Judge Philips
made the following reply:
KANSAS CITY, Mo-; Oct 3.-Hon. J..
T. Withers, Chairman, aud J. p. Wag-
ner, Secretary: GENTLEMEN-I am
In receipt of yours of the 30th ult., con-
veying to me copy OF the resolutions
adopted at citizens meeting at
Marshal on the 3lst day of August last,
regarding the appointment of Hon.
Jasper N. Burks as Grain Inspector
OF State. You ask me in ligh of exist
ing facts to withdraw the letter writ
ten by me to the Railroad Commissions
ers indorsng Mr.. Burks for the posi-
tiobs OCS 1GdF0 VI make q DIAM
statement OF facts explanatory of NV
connection with this matter.
had known Mr.. Burks for many
years. / was thrown with him first in
political campaign under circum-
stances which offered excellent oppcr-
tunities for studying his character and
learning his qualities. He impressed
me deeply with the opinion that he
was man of unusually strong prac-
tical sense, self-poised and assertive.
lmmoVable and honest in his purposes.
Since then We have been personal
friends, and have stood shoulder to
shoulder in the same political ermy.
After the passage of the law providing
for the office of Grain Inspector. Hon.
M. l.. Clardy, a mutal friend, wrote
to me asking for a letter of recommends
ton of Mr.. Burks to the Railroad Conn
missioners. Acting upon the impulse
of friendship. and in recognition of his
deserts as Democrat, gave the let
ter. expressing my opinion of his claims.
And now, notwithstanding the un-
merited excitement and comment his
standing the action by the public
meeting which you represent, I per-
ceive no reason of force for recalling
my letter.
Public opinion sometimes is very
healthy preservative influence in the
body polite. Then again, it sis a very
unruly horse, and when once you get
astrite it you never know where it
will carry you" To mere clamor T
never yield. To popular appeal,
reasonably expressed, always give a
hearing. But ia this case want facts,
and not resolutions. The latter are
often the creation of q ready pen, and
often receive the sanction of assembled
multitudes who act on rumor, and not
on proof am unwilling to condemn
the action Of the Railroad Commission
ers upon the assumption of Mr.. Burks'
unfitness. When be is given fair
trial, and his incompetency is an es-
tablished fact. will not for one mo-
ment allow my personal friendship or
pride of judgment to stand in the way
OF the public interests. I believed
when l indorsed Burks that he was
honest and capable and my opinion Is
unchanged, and without stopping TO
discuss the letter of the statute, but
keeping rather It's spirit in mind, in
cline to the notion that it will prove in
this instance, as in a large per cent OF
positions of public trusts, that the
people in the end find more protection
in the rugged common sense and UNI
yielding integrity of the incumb bent
than in the skilled training ofone more
facile and piiable. With great respect,
your obedient servant,
JOHN F. PHILIPS.