The morning news., 1889-04-28

The unp' 'easantness, or whatever Z Is,
between the President and Col. William ".
Dudley seems TO be rapidly reaching
poilt at which some explanation from the
President will be necessary During the
campaign Col. D idlsy and Mr.. Harrison
we're the closest kind Of friends, and they
were in constant communication with each
other respecting tie shifting phases Of the
political situation. Since bis election the
President has had nothing to do with Col.
Dudley. In fact the latter has not baen at
the white house and has lad no c]mmuni-
cation with the Pr sdelt whatever.
OF course there has been great deal Of
speculation as to the ature OF tho trouble
between tuem 1t is admitted that tie
President would not ignore such an old
friend as CT. Dudley, ard one who played
such a conspicuous part in the pre-ideatial
campaign, unless be believed he had good
reasons tor doing so.
The coolness Of the President toward Col.
Dudley began 20 show itself Immediately
after the publication OF the blocks Of five"
letter, which. il is alleged, Col. Dudley
wrote. Col. Dudley himself says that that
letter is the only thing he knows Of which
explains the Presidents course toward him.
X may safely be assumed, therefore, that
the letter is the cause Of the trouble between
them. But the letter could not have any
influence with the President unless be te-
lieved Col Dudley wrote It, If he believed
him innocent, would he refuse 10 recognize
him, even though thu ciamor against him
were ten times as great as it is! If be
would, Lis nature is indeed a cold one, and
one that admits of no warm and sincere
friendships. Believing his friend innocent
and yet treating him as il be thought him
guilty would show a lack Of courage and
manli ess that would expose him 10 public
contempt
But does be believe Col. Dudley 10 be in
rocentl The chances are thst ne doesn't.
He probably looks upon bin as guilty
man, and, therefore, cannot afford 20 exs
tend to him any recognition, although he is
beneficiary Of his wrongdoIng. Indeed,
the attitude Of the President toward Col.
Dudley does more than anything else to
convince the public that the charge that
Col. Dudley outlined scheme TO buy the
floating vote Of Indiana, anl that the
scheme was successful. is true.
Believing that Col. Dudleyis guilty, what
is the Presidents duty in tue premii ;: Is
1t not TO instruct the United States district
attorney of Indiana and the United States
circuit judge Of that state to spare no
effort TO punish Col. Dudley for his crime 2
But has be done anything OF the kinds 1t
seems not. In fact, it is alleged that ad-
ministration influences have shielded him.
II this be true. and the course which Judge
Woods pursued when the Dudley case was
before his court seems to indicate that it
is, how can the Pre-iient reconcile his con-
duct with mis- convictions OF duty2
This Dudley business leaves the impres-
sion that the President lacks courage. Co.
Dndley, IN a letter of his winch found its
way into print the other day, and which Is
the subject of great deal of comment, in
| timated that the President lacked moral
backbone. II Col. Dudley writes many
more such letters the President will have
to take notice of them, and explain why it
is that be has suddenly given the cold
shoulder to the man who did so much to
boost him into the white house.