The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-04-21
ASKS FOR JUSTICE
-Mr. Young, Lately Executive
Clerk Of the Senate, Writes
to Mr.. Morton.
He Asks for an Opportunity to
Clear Himself Of Charges
Against Him. @

WASHINGTON, April 1S-James Rankin
Young, lately the executive clerk Of the
senate. has addressed letter to Vice Presi.
dent Morton in relation to the action of
the senate in declaring his Office vacant for
alleged betrayal Of the executive session
secrets. After reviewing the circumstances
connected with his dismissal, Mr.. Young
calls upon his accusers to come out from
behind the closed doors OF the senate and
make charges against him openly, so that
he may be able to protect himself The
most striking parts Of his letter follow:
portion OF the committee on foreign rea-
tions, in Il panic the Bering sea business
or under some Influence l may not divine, con-
"celVeS the fancy that clerk is responsible for
the publication OF secret news. 1t could have
summoned that clerk, and had at least the ad-
vantage OF en- minutes inquiry. Something in
bis manner. ii he had been hardened
CRIMINAL, ana not, as in my case q trusted Of
fetal OF fifteen years standing, would have
abled its members to have formed d reasonable
suspicion OF guilt. But no. a resolution is
passed removing the clerk and submitted to the
senate in secret session. Here again the clerk
could have been questioned at his desk by the
senators. He could have made some statement
or explanation. But no. The doors are not only
closed, but he is specially asked to leave. and
no intimatiou given him OF any charge OF
suspicion. An earnest debate ensues. Certain
senators intervene to arrest what they deemed
an injustice. The resolution is OH the point OF
defeat, and is withdrawn only upon the
Surance OF a senator that he will practically
obtain from the clerk an admission Of guilt
This admission would be found in resigna-
Of npCn\r hn ar
scepted.
INvEsTIGAT ALTON DEMANDED.
The senator alluded to approached Mr.
Young and asked his resignation, but was
met with flat refusal and demand for an
investigation. The letter continues:
am not writing i'll any spirit OF eXaggeraton.
My right citizen to absolute justice is
sacred as the dignity OF the senate. and if can
not obtain 1t at that august tribunal, can ap-
peal to one even more august-that OF my couii-
trymen. This now do through you. 1 have
approached no senator Tor aid, nor sought i'll
any way to influence the act OF gentlemen-SO
many OF wnom have become dear to ME through
years OF friendship and association. When
friends advised me to poll the senate and make
some kind OF campaign, as is so often the custom
when matters are at issue, said that asked
no defense, no eXculpaton, no palliation,no an
peal Tor mercy. He was my enemy who would
DO it III my name. l simply asked cold, unspar-
ing Justice Two weeks passed and the senate
resumed my case. After debate. and under pres
sure of q portion OF the committee on foreign re-
latons, a resolution was passed declaring my
office vacant. The senate which passed 1t,
understand. was so small that quorum was
obtained with difficulty.
So ends my fifteen years of service All I
asked from the senate inquiry. This a
SLIM coerced, reluctant majority denied. Be-
cause declined to accept the advice Of Senator
Cameron and resign. my office has been declared
vacant. All ask now is that OF the sena-
tors VINO have pursued me ill secret should
waive the constitutional privilege of immunity
tor words spoken Ill de bate, and avow i'll public
if,i1i oh f,niv,
afternoons OF angry discussion. l shall then be
in the open and able to protect myself. / can
win satisfy the country. This IS an appeal to
manliness, justice and fair play. cannot be-
lieve that it is made i'll vain.
WATTERSON APPEALS FOR J JUSTICE.
Henry Watterson, whr is in Washington,
to-day sent the following letter to Vice
President Morton:
have just read in the Washington Post OF
this date d letter addressed to you by James
Rankin Young, late executive clerk OF the Sell
ate, and without his knowledge. that OF any
OF his friends. venture to join my entreaty to
his, and with him to appeal to you, and through
you to the senate, ior an act OF justice not only
to d citizen but 10 an entire body Of citizens
whose character and honor the recent act OF the
senate in a manner questions and assails TO
the force OF the argument made by MIR. Young,
let me add the suggestion that secrets shared
by eighty-elght persons cannot III the nature of
the case. be wholly safe. and that the RESPONSE.
biity tor their disclosure should be conclusively
-ascertained and clearly fixed before condem-
nation could be justly visited upon any indi-
vidual
During the second session OF the Forty-fourth
congress l served as chairman of caucus COM
mittee appointed to Investigate transactions of
this kind. Then. as now. suspicion lay upon
certain gentlemen connected with the newspaper
service. The result OF earthquakes showed that
no one person was to blame but that little by
little, word here and a hint there. enough had
been gathered from those within by those with
out to make d tOerably fair report. have,
known Mr.. Young from his boyhood and can
fully attest his integrity and discretion. But,
private sentiments aside, there is principle OF
justice here involved and the press and the pub
which be best reached through you, not
merely its chief organ and officer, but the one
direct representative in the senate of all the peo-
pie OF the United States. 1 address you both as
a citizen and as journalist, confident of receiy-
lug at your hands that never failing cOnrtesy
and exalted sense OF duty which have marked
your personal and official career
LOOKS LIKE A SNUB.
The first business transacted a ter tue
reading OF the journal was completed in
the senate to-day was theannouncement bv
Vice President Morton that he had received
communication in the nature of a petit
ton rom James 3. Young late chief execu-
tive clerk, to be laid before the senate;
(which will MIR. Morton added, ''be laid
upon the table, it having already been
printed" The case came up again for a
few minutes in connection with the letter
written by Mr.. Watterson, but no action
was taken.