The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-19
A SMALL MAN.
Edgarton Attacks the President
And Shows His Moanpess, Little.
ness and Cowardice.
Because, Forsooth, Ho Is Removed
From Public Office,
And Knowing the Administration
Is Nearing It's Close,
He Vents His Spleen In the Most Undlg-
He Vents His Spleen in the Most Undlg-
nified, Amateurish and Even sopho-
moric Way-His Inability Clearly
Seen in the Effort Made.

WASHINGTON, Feb. ls.-Judgc A. T.
Edgarton, who was recently removed from
the office Of Civil Service Commissioner,
has written an open letter TO the Pres-
dent. lie says among other things: | was
indebted to you for the only appointive
Office | ever held, and you now declare by
your action that you regret the appoint
ment. !, with equal right, can say that |
regret the acceptance. Your regret was
never made known 10 mo by YOU in any
word or utterance, or action, until now, at
the close Of your Administration, and on the
day before my removal. OF course, II YOU
deemed me unfit for the position or neglect
full OF duty, you should have removed me
long ago but presume there were pru-
dental political reasons why you did not
make the removal until after the election.
In this regard it would almost seem rs II
you were willing to play false with the
Mugwumps to enable you to win with the
Democrats. And here, permit me to de-
fine the term "Mugwump, as referring
to a class Of political rciormers who have
the spirit OF reformation without the
common sense and good judgment
10 reform, as reforms are not effected
by unjust personal dcnunciation, but by
reason. The result OF the election placed
YOU in dilemma from which few people
would have known how tocxtricaio them
selves. You found n man ON your hands
whom the Mugwumps had declared war
upon, an enemy 10 their civil service re-
form theories, and your plqn OF becoming
their representative in the future would bc
weakened or defeated II some assurance OF
your fidelity 10 their cause could not be
assured. Accordingly IL appears that you
decided upon the removal Of the head
Of the commission, aud, dccming Mr.
Thompson good enough Mugwump for
them. YOU therefore, demanded my resig-
nation tia, YOU might appoint him, appar-
emily rs atoncmcnt for your previous ac-
ton.
Mr.. President, with due courtesy 10 the
high Office YOU hold, allow me to say that
you are very peculiar man, positive
man positively wrong or positively
risht-and therefore an unsafe man 10
trust, and this element Ia your character,
| believe, led 10 your defeat
Pope SAYS the "most positive mon are
the most crcduIous since they most he
licyc themselves and advise most With
their fellow fltlcrcrs aud worst enemies.
Being one Of that kind Of positive men your.
self, YOU have kept some men Of like
character around you who are positive only
.n their malice aud conccit. They Halter
YOU, aud have the cUncoit that would mag.
nifty themselves, and the malignily that
would dctmct from others.
Juycnal SAYS: There is nothing a
man wont believe In his own favor"
You were crrdulous enough 10 believe
that YOU were elected President by the
/ Mngwumps. and, therefore, you permitted
them 10 malign your real friends and to
llaltcr you into policy which led you Ia
your defeat You are a man who would
not permit your real irichd- 10 admonsh
YOU with freedom and confidence, and ns
| a result YOU have suffered the want ol
/ friends. and your wrecked aud wtctchcd
greatness has discovered that there n no
true success In life without the power aud
/ blessing Of friendship. You believed that
your will, aud power 90 enforce IL, was
above all powers but the Wi Of the people
| expressed in constitutional way las
taught YOU that there was wiser aud
/ better way than that chosen by you.
Having sworn 10 support the civil service
law. il las been nv constant effort 10 do
70. but I never I'D HWcar 10 support a
Mugwump Interpretation n H. based on n
monstrous assumption nill the commits
sion WIS independent Of law. How many
poor uniorlunaics have been denied the
advantages aud benefits u the law by
questions mover contemplated by u, and
how many expenses hnyr barn Incurred
through unnecessary and devious require.
mcuts and practices, Il Is not my purpose
at this time To state.
You will be- ccnsurcd and condemned
because you put no trust IN your owl
party, but believed yOutolf 10 DO boitol
Than your own and greater than all par
ties. You have asccrtaiucd that the many
were not made for the one. II you car
find NJ many reasons for removing mo n.
the Democratic party, through an indiilcr
cnce which was simply rctaliniory, hat
Tor removing YOU, SHAH be- quite Willing
10 remain with you Ia the gloom Of defeat
Tho judge proceeds ~ give his under
standing u the civil service Law. and con
times
You cause 10 be placed uron the Con
grossiongl Record this announcement Of
! nomination by YOU. 10 De- confirmed bl
I the United States senate. Hugh $. Ihomp
son, Of South Carolina, 20 the lnitc'
States Civil Service Commission, IN Oh,
place Of Alfred l.. Elguion, removed.
; ! do not ask you b. give any reason
for this act. know, and ~ do you, TIA
. the only one you could give would b
that II i your will, Tor d you attempted I
! | give ony other your own previous WORD
! would prove tito be- untrue. Ia my IN
! tcryicw with you before ihc removal yoI
: expressly disclaimcd having any reason
b for Il except my refusal b. resign TO cnabl
\ you 90 make Mr.. ThOnpson.s nomination
y Removed" lisa word Of inr-rcachin
4 potency, especially when q record doe
g not explain H. | am conscious OF ihs
2 and deeply panied by ih' consciousness
, The people have the right 70 know, ~
i truth IN III matters Of ihis klnl' anu 10
Q this reason only DO / address YOU can
e not, like you, make PRAYER Tor icnei
] the public such as the Article scpmcd TO D
}. Ia the Baltimore Sm 1T We llih ms
2 This Is the first time ia Doe history o. u
i Government that an outgoing iiyslden
n has found i Necessary talYpIIao 'nipuis
n .ho newspapers his particular NoIh uu' ~ ~,
y bis term 81 Office, and BOZ. .'ums upon i hl
J. party, and The country .n. apr' 'N"' ~
a twocn the lines can Dr. "lN lhe sp'.i
pea 30. recollection. / yaI F9'"t W "a