The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-05
MIR. HURLEY,s DECLINATION.
Why He Refused the Third Auditorship-Hi
Reply to Certain Charges.

Why He Refused the Third Auditorship-His
Reply to Certain Charges.
To the Editor of the Washington Post:
Your issue dated Aug. 10 contained an
article which, in commenting upon my de-
clination of the Office of Third Auditor of
the treasury. has done me great injustice.
In the belief that you were misinformed,
and not inspired by malice, / ask that
equal space and publicity be accorded me.
The article treats the declension of an Of
nee by an lndianian as startling" 1t is
perhaps rare that good Offices are declined,
but the rarity of such an act ought not to
subject the gentleman declining to unjust
surmises as to his motives, or expose him
to gossip which borders on the libellous
and slanderous. 1t is true, as stated, that
l was appointed; it is not true, that I
started to Washington to qualify. ! did
leave New Albany, but my tickets and des-
tination were for Deer Park.
My object III calling upon the President
was to state the embarrassment / was in;
on the one hand good Office was mine if |
qualified. on the other was an increased
salary from the Pennsylvania railroad, q
ccngenial pursuit, and continuation for
my family and myself of the pleasant social
relations existing at home. ] went to Deer
Park to show the President the regard
had for him and to manifest my sense Of
the honor conferred upon me. I chose q
personal interview rather than the medium
of the mails. / may be permitted to say
his. regret because of my determination,
and has at a later date expressed his per-
sonal regard for me. and his regret that
was not to be at Washington. Neither Mr.:
Harrison nor any other gentleman requested
me to surrender the office. The act was
my Own-made after elaboration and of
my, own vOlltiOn. Neither prompted By
suggestion, invitation or hint from any
source whatever, Had / so elected. /
would to-day be filling the Office SO honor
ably filled by Mr.. Williams.
1t is alleged that | was asked to surrender
the office because of an unsettled account
with the PostOffice Department. 1t is true
that difference of opinion as 10 what con-
stitutes a contract and authority lies be-
tween the chief clerk of the allowance di-
vision of the Postoffice Department and my
self. He claims that overpaid an account
of rents for the period embracing quarters
ending March 81, 1888. and August 81, 1885,
the sum of $22l.93 assert paid it under
proper CONTRACT and by proper authority.
Herein lies the whole matter in cOntrover-
sy. The issue will soon be tried, and the
verdict will, think, be in my favor, but in
the transaction there is nothing which
affects my character as an official or gem
tleman.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, permit me to
say that the reckless handling of public
men by newspapers is reprehensible in the
ton, often given by eyii-disposed persons,
they proceed to publish matters calculated
to wound and to iniure ones social and
business standing. Against al ordinary
assault know how to defend myself, but
against a newspaper ! am powerless, and,
in proof. am compelled to depend upon your
generosity to publish this. / have been
tried in the columns of your paper, adj
judged guilty, notwithstanding that the
the reasons given for not accepting the Of
flee have the backing of the President, Gen.
Window, and, yours truly,
M. NJ. HURLEY.
NEW ALBANY, Ind, Aug. 81.