The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-01-12
CLEvELAND's AToNEMENT.
An Insight Into His Method oi
Making Appointments.

WASHINGTON. Jan. il.-Iu April, 1885. the
president appointed William A. Vincent
chief justice of the territory Of New
Mexico. aud 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 ". Dorsey to be 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, rs the sHbjoined cor
respondence viii show;
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Washington, Jan. 8. iSSq.,
Hon. William A. Niacept-lraF Sir. /
have always said 10 yosr friends, as well as
10 you, that your removal from the Office
of judge for the territory OF New Mexico
did not imply any charge or conviction OF
dishonesty in the capacity OF judicial mis-
conduct. In the condition of affairs at that
time deemed Il my duty 20 promptly pur-
sue the coarse 20 unfortunate for yon aud
which WAS adopted by me upon the mere
showing Of facts alleged, without inquiry
as To your motives and purposes. Ny ae-
ton was unfairly harsh. bat thought Il
was justified. Often. since that time. As all
the facts attending the incident have be
come known to me, and a. reelected upon
yoNr otherwise uneNceptionabie Official
career, so far as IL has come 10 my knowl-
edge, have been impressed, by the repre-
msval has subjected you to a suspicion
which was unlast and Hnvarranted.
so far as ! am concerned. notwithstand-
ing all that has passed. am Rt this time
willing 10 express my confidence In your
ability and uprightness. There is now a
vacancy in the chief jusiieeship OF Mon
tana. so far as regards your fitness. I
sheuld be entirely willing 10 sec you in
that place ] write TO ask you, therefore
whether in case | should think il well &C.
do 10 an at liberty TO submit your name
to the senate for that Office. ! make this
PROPOSITION with q reservation for reasons
not in the least connected with your per
sonal qualifications, and shall be glad 20
know your views upon the subject as soon
a. possible Yours truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND"
To this vincent replied as follows
"WAsHTsGroS, Jan. II.
"Sir: Your letter Of the sth inst, tender
ing me the position OF chief justice Of the
supreme court Of Montana, reached me the
day before yesterday, and has received my
careful consideration. ] am grateful FOR
the expression OF your confidence and es-
teen, and accept the tender Of this import
ant Office as a complete Yindication Of my
course while ehief-iustice Of the supreme
court of New Mexico. The act for when
yoH removed me was taken in the exercise
OF judicial discretion, after the utmost de-
liberation, and was dictated sy the purest
and hest OF motives, and owiag 70 the IN
fortunate condition of affairs ia Colfax
county At that time il was absolutely
necessary in order 10 restore peace sad
good order. The result justified my method
of attaining that end, and proved II 70
have been the best and only one that could
have been adopted. and ! have always 10
lieved that when Yen properly understood
the matter you Hoald treat me In the
manly and generous manner suggested IN
your Communication 20 me.
while have a high appreciation Of the
hsuor you would do me, | am reluctantly
TO refuse the use % my name
for the jadgeship 10 Montana. for The reas-
on that / could not. without making the
greatest sacrifices, abandon my home pfac-
tice and other Interests in New Mexico,
where have resided for seven yesrs aud
expect to remain permanently. Nery re-
spectiully. WA- A. VINCENT
To the President. Executive Mansion.