Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-19
Commissioner EdgertoE's Merciless Roast.
ing of Cleveland,

ing of Cleveland.
WASHINGTON. February 1Sth.-Judge Edgerton
OF Indiana, who was removed from the position
oI q, ClvlI M Service Commissioner ten days ago by
the PRESIDENT, tonight issues a voluminous let.
ter 10 the President in answer to his crder of
removal. In opening his letter the Judge calls
tne fresinent attention to the fact that he ap-
pointed him (Edgerfon) to the only appointive
oihce he ever held, and now declares bg his ae-
ton that he regrets the appointment Il, SAYS
Eogerton, with equal right can say regret its
acceptance. kdgertor then says that the Pres.
ldent never made known his regret in any way
until the day of his removal, and had never in
tlmated, by action or otherwise that he was
dissatisfied with him. Then he rebukes the
PRESIDENT for SO acting and adds:
'Ot course, If you believed me unfit for the
position, or neglectful OF DUTY, you should have
removed me long ago; but presume there were
Presldenuai and political reasons why you did
not make the removal until after the election.
In this regard 1t would almost seem as If YOU
were willing to play false with the Mugwumps
70 enable you 10 win with the Democrats. And
here permit me to define the term OF Mug
wump as referring to that class OF political re-
formers who have the spirit of reformation
without the common sense and good Judgment
TO reform, AS reforms are not effected by
unjust personal denunciation but by rea-
son, the result of the election placed
you in a dilemma from which the people would
nave known how TO eXtricate themselves. You
found a man on your hands whom the Mug
Wumps mad declared war upon, as an enemy 20
their civil service reform theories and Your
plan OF becoming their representative in future
would be weakened or defeated if some asspr-
ance OF your fidelity TO their cause could not be
secured. Accordingly, it appears, you decided
upon the removal of the head of the Commits.
sion, and deeming Mr.. Thompsen a good enough
Mugwump for them, you therefore demanded
my resignation, that you might appoint him
apparently as an atonemsnt for your previous
inaction."
The Judge then calls the Presidents attention
to his Endorsement in July last; that he (Edger
toni q GOOD pnOnQb Civil IL.
sloner when their annual report was submitted
to Congress, and asks what has transpired since
70 warrant his removal. He then says: Mr.
President with due courtesy to the high office
you hold, allow me to say that
YOU ARE VERY PECULIAR MAN,
A positive man-positiyely wrong or positively
highland therefore an unsafe man TO trust
ard that element of your character, believe
led to your defeat. You were credulous enough
to believe that you were elected President BY
them to malign your real friends and to hattel
you into policy which led to your defeat You
are man who would not permit your rea
friends to admonish you with freedom and con
fidence. and as result you have suffered
for the want of friends, aud YOU
wrecked and wretched greatness has dis.
covered that there is no true succes:
in life without the power and blessing of friend
ship. You believed that your will and power
TO enforce it was above all powers, but the will
OF the people, expressed in constitutional way
mas Taught you inAt lneTe was a wiser ana DeJ
ter way than that chosen by youn
Edgerton then asserts that it was his constant
effort TO support the civil service law, but he
did not swear 10 support a mugwump inter
probation of it. He then AYERS that when the
President asked for his resignation he said il
was to enable him to nominate Mr. Thompson
who, without his (Edgerton'sl resignation, cou
not be confirmed. He also says the President
denied having contemplated his (Edgerton's
removal. He then continues his criticisms o.
the President and says:
MISERY LOVES COMPANY.
'Ifyou can find as many re asons for removing
me as the Democratic party-through an in
difference which was simply retaliatory-hat
for removing you, shall be quite willing to re
main with you in the gloom of defeat"
He then says that he will not ask him Qht
President) for any reason for his removal, for hs
knows-as does the President-tbat the only
reason was the Presidents viii. Judge Edger
ton next attacks the article that appeared il
the Baltimore Sun on the 18th inst, reviewing
the Presidents work in Office, and charges thal
the president evidently inspired the ariice e a
an advertisement for his reelection in 1892
He also charges the President with having
betrayed his trust, and was therefore repudiateC
by the people. The balance of the letter is il
the same spirited style as the foregoing, and il
conclusion Judge EdgeIton says: This, Mr.
President, believe to be a temperate statemen
tsAf'f frrn