The Helena independent., 1889-01-12
RICHTING A WRONG.
VIM. A. Vincent, Once Chief Justice
ofNew Mexico, Refuses the Same
Office in Montana.
WHY 1T WAS OFFERED.
Correspondence Between the Presi-
dent and the Judge in Relation 10
the Latter's Removal From
Former Position.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ll.-ln April, 1855,
the president appointed VIM. A. Vincent
chief justice Of the territory OF New Mexi-
co, and in November Of the same year he
was removed. The Judge came 10 Wash
ington, where he learned that the charge
against him was the appointment OF Ste
phen w. Dorsey 10 be jury commissioner.
The Judge wrote long letter TO the presi.
dent complaining OF the injustice done
him, and the latter has now taken action
In the matter, as the subjoined correspon-
dence will show:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON,
Jan. =. iSS9.-Hon. VIM. A. Vincent, Dear
sir: have always said TO your riends, as
well as to YOU, that your removal from the
once of Judge for the territory OF New
Mexico did not imply any charge or convic-
ton OF dishonesty, incapacity, or judicial
misconduct In the condition OF Affairs ct
that time deemed it my duty 10 promptly
pursue course so unfortunate for you, and
which was adopted by me upon q mere
showing OF fact alleged, without inquiry
as To your motives and purposes. MY ac-
ton was unfairly harsh, but l thought II
was justified. Often since that time, as all
the facts attending the Incident have be-
come known TO me, and as reflected upon
your otherwise unexceptional Official career
so FAR as II has come to my knowledge, 1
have been impressed by the representations
OF your friends that your removal has
subjected you 10 suspicion which
was unjust and nnwarranted, go far as
am concerned. Notwithstanding all that
has passed, am Mt this time willing to ex-
press my confidence In your ability and up
rightness. There is now a vacancy In the
chief justiceship Of Montana. SO far ~
CARDS your fitness, | should be entirely
willing TO see you In that place. I write TO
ask you. therefore, whether, In case l
should think II well 10 do 30, I am at
liberty to submit your name 10 the senate
for that Office. | make this proposition
with reservation, for reasons not In the
cations, and sha be glad to know your
views upon the subject AS soon % possible.
GROVER CLEVELAND
To this Mr.. Vincent to-day replied 20
follows:
"WAsHISeToN, Jan. 1l.-Sir:-Your let
ter OF the eth inst, rendering me the POSI-
ton of chief Justice of the supreme court
OF Montana, reached me day before yester-
day and has received my careful considera-
tion. am gretefnl for this expression OF
your confidence and esteem, and accept
the tender Of this important Office as q COM
plete vindica ion OF my course while chief
Justice of the supreme court Of New Mex
leo. The act for which you removed me
was taken In the exercise Of judicial discre-
ton. after the utmost deliberation. was
dictated by the purest and best Of
motives, and owing ~ fhe-<unfortunate
condition OF affairs IN Colfax county ai
that time, was an absolute necessity In or.
der to.restore peace and good will. The
result justified my method Of attaining that
end, and proved IL 10 have been the best
aud only one that could have been adopted,
and have always believed that when you
properly understood the matter you would
treat me In the manly and generous man.
ner suggested In your comnun-
high appreciation Of the honor
you would do me, | am reluctantly con-
strained % refuse the use of my name for
the judgeship In Montana, for the reason
tnat could not without making the great
| est sacritic abandon my home practice and
| other interests In New sMexico, where
have resided for seven years and expect 10
remain permanently.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM A. VINCENT.
To the President. Executive Mansion.