The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-18
Respectfully yours,
Y. 7. Pope.
The following answer was returned

The following answer was returned
to the Attorney General:
DEAR SGR:-Your notice dismissing
me from the position of clerk, which
was kindly given me by Solicitor
Schumpert, and held by me in the en-
crossing department for the past two
years, has been received. I will obey
the mandate of the Attorney General,
but before retiring 1 would be glad for
you to indicate the reasons for my re-
moval, as you say it is not on account
of inefficency, but, on the contrary,
that you bear voluntary testimony to
my personal worth and efficiency" in
the discharge of my duties.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL,
COLUMBIA, S. c., December 8, 1890.
iN". Thomas P. Butler, Columbia, sc.
DEAR SIR:-In answer your letter
of to-day, asking the grounds for my
removing you from the Office of clerk
in the engrossing department, permit
me to state, that I remove you from
office from sense of duty to the people
of this State. I believe it due to them
that no office shall be bestowed on one
who has so recently jeopardiZed, by his
political conduct, the best interests of
our whole people. While am Attor-
ney General no Independent need ap-
ply for office, and no such an one will
be knowingly retained in office by me.
Very truly yours,
y. J. POPE,
Attorney General Of South Carolina.
The political conduct referred to by
Attorney General Pope is supposed to
refer to the fact of Mr.. Butler having
opposed the Tillman candidates in
UEion County.
The policy laid down by Attorney
General Pope does not find in this case
its first expression. It was plainly out
lined by great many of the leaders in
the Reform movement when they ar
rived in Columbia.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
COLUMBIA, December 1O.-The big
gest sensation Of the present political
season of grace is being developed here
to-day. In fine it was remarked that
Mr.. T. B. Butler, who was dismissed
from office as clerk in the engrossing
department of Acknowledgement Pope,
will tomorrow, or as soon thereafter as
be shall obtain legal advice, institute
legal proceedings against the Attorney
| General for such dismissal! Mr.. Butler,
it will be remembered, inquired of the
Attorney General the reason for his
dismissal, to which he replied as fol-
lows. [See letter above Of December
9thl.
\ young lawyer of Charleston sent a
letter to friend here to-day, directing
attention to the following, which Will
be found on page III Of the General
Statutes Of South Carolina:
Section 1852. Whoever shall assault
or intimidate any citizen because of po-
| litical rights and privileges guaranteed
to every citizen of the United States by
the Constitution and laws Of this State
or for such reason shall discharge such
citizen from employment or occupation
or eject such citizen from rented
house or land or other property, such
person shall be deemed guilty of mis-
demeanor and on conviction thereof be
fined not less than $50 or more than
$1,000 or imprisoned not less than
three months or more than one year, OF
both at the discretion of the Court.
The section comes under the title con.
ctrning elections. Some Of the lawyers
hold that the law applies only to em'
ployees, such as field hands or tenants
but there are strict constructionists
who hold that the law applies to Mr.
Buffers case. In all probability there
will be great deal said on both sides
tomorrow.
GENERAL POPE - BE ARRESTED.
| COLUMBIA, December Ito {
News and Courier representative who
called on him this morning Attorney
General Pope stated that ''all that talk
about Mr.. Thomas B. Butler institut
ing proceedings against him was cutie
foolishness." Mr.. Pope further said
THAT statute was meant to apply t
cases of private parties and not to pub