The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-12
GROVER APOLOGIES.
He Admits That He Vronged Judge VIM
cent and Offers Him a New Position.

He Admits That He Wronged Judge VIM
cent and Offers Him a New Position.
WASHINGTON, Jan. lin April. 1885,
the President appointed William ~ Vim
cent Chief-justice of the Territory of New
Mexico, and in November of the same year
he was removed. The Judge came to
Washington, where he learned that the
charge against him was the appointment
of Stephen w. Dorsey to be a jury commits
sioner The Judge wrote a long letter to
the President. complaining of the injustice
done him. and the latter has now taken
action In the matter. as the subJOlned cor
respondence Will show:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Jan Z, 1888
Hon. William A. Vincent
Dear sr-I have always said 10 your friends,
well as to you, that yourremoval from the once
of judge for the Territory OF New Mexico did not
In the least imply any charge or convlcuon OF
In the condition Of affairs at the time deemed
IL my duty to promptly pursue the course so ltil-
fortunate for you, and which was adopted Dy me
upon the mere showing OF the fact alleged, With
out inquiry as TO your motives and pur-
poses. My action was unfairly harsh, Dut L
thought it was justified. Often since that time,
rs all the facts attending the incident have be-
come known TO me, and as / reflected upon your
otherwise unexceptl0nal Judicial career, SO Tar
as it has come To my knowledge, have been I'M
that your removal had subjected you ~ suspl-
zion which was unjust and unwarranted. SO Tar
as am concerned, notwithstanding all that has
passed, j am at this time willing 10 express my
confidence i'm your ability and uprightness.
There il now vacancy in the chiefjustlceship
OF Montana. So far as regards your fitness, 1
should be entirely willing TO see You In tnat
place write to ask you, therefore, whether, IN
case should think ii well To do SO. / am at no
erty to submit your name to the Senate FOR that
ONCE. make this proposition with reserya-
ton for reasons not in the least connected with
your personal qualifications. ana shall be glad
to know your views upon the subject as soon Oh as
possible. Very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
To this Mr. Vincent to-day replied as
follows:
WASHINGTON Jan. IL, 1889.
sir-Your letter of the Sth instant, rendering
me the position of Chief-justice of the supreme
Court of Montana, reached me day before yester-
day, and has received my careful considerations
am grateful for this expression or your conf
dence and esteem, and accept the tender or this
important Office as a complete yindlcatlOn Oh my
course while Chiefjustice of the Supreme Court
of New Mexico.
The act for which you removed me was taken
IN the exercise of judicial discretion. after
the utmost deliberation; was dictated by the
purest and best of motives, and, owing to
the unfortunate condition of affairs in Colfax
county at that time, was an absolute necessity In
order to restore peace and good order. The result
justified my method of attaining that end, and
proved il to have been the best aud only one that
could have been adopted, and have always be-
lieved that when you properly understood the
matter, you would treat me in the manly aid gen.
erOus manner suggested in your communication
to me-
While have high appreciation of the honor
you would do me, am reluctantly constrained
TO refuse the use of my name for the judgship In
McTsana, for the reason thatI could not, without
making the greatest sacrifice abandon my home,
practice and other interests in New Mexico,
where have resided for seven years, and expect
TO remain permanently. Very respectfully,
WILLIAM K. VINCENT.
To the President, Executive Mansion.