The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-06-22
MANLY TOM BOWEN.
Tom is q Stalwart Democrat and He De-
tests Sneaks and towards.

II. The public were informed in the
evening papers Of this city on Friday
evening that Monroe Nichols hadsbeen
displaced as register Of the United
States land officein Duluth through the
efforts of Cong gresham Baldwin. The
dispatch further stated that the ma
ture Of the charges against him Mich
ols) to secure his removal must have
been weighty, but it cannot be learned
now just what they are.
In Saturday mornings paper Major
Baldwin was quoted as saying: : About
the charges against Mr.. Nichols I can
say nothing. lam not at liberty to give
even synopsis of the charges that are
fled, and I am quite sure that they
will never be given out for publica-
tion.' 1t may be presumed-it GER
tainly is not denied THAT Mr.. Nichols
has been removed from Office on ac
count of charges made against him.
Whether these charges affect his pri-
vate or his official character no one
knows; that information is denied.
Now I do not think Mr.. Nichols is en-
titled to any political consid eration
from the Democratic party. When the
Republican party is beaten at the polls
and the Democratic party is charged
with the RESPONSE bility Of the admins
tration, 7 think Mr.. Nichols and all
other Republican offce-holders should
be removed forthwith and their places
filled with worthy and competent Dem.
ocrats. If Mr.. Nichols were removed
because he is Republican and his
place given to a fit and deserving Dem
ocrat, the step would have my hearty
approval, outstanding the absurd
theories Of so-called civil service re-
formers. +.
also believe in removing officials on
charges showing their unftness to hold
their official positions or their derelic--
tion of duty. If Mr.. Nichols is guilty,
Elet the charges be made, let them be
known, and if proven sufficient after a
decent hearing, let him be removed.
THAT is business and common sense.
/ do not know Mr.. Nichols except in
a personal way. In that respect I have
found him a pleasant and agreeable
gentleman. I never had any business
with him. either privately or officially.
But those who have had business with
him before the land Office, together
with the attorneys who practice there,
as well as newspaper men and other
private citizens who are we'll informed,
speak in the highest terms Of his fair
ness and impartiality in the admins
tration Of the duties of the Office, and
all, without exception, so far as [ have
heard, testify to the excellent manner
in which he has conducted the Office.
Bearing all these things in mind, am
opposed to the plan of getting a Repub-
lican removed from Office by beating
around the bush and bringing charges
against him which those who make and
those who have in charge refuse tc
specify. The men who propose and
countenance that sort OF thing are
towards and sneaks.
It is a serious matter to remove :
man from his position on the ground
THAI charges are made against him
Charges may include embezzlemen1
or corrupt practices, or any Other
criminal offense. Suppose a man il
charge of a commercial or industrial
enterprise here in Duluth were re
moved and it were reported in the pa
pers that he had been deposed because
charges were made against him. i
& those charges were not specified would
he not be practically a ruined man un
til he could clear himself of them.
l . ~ F.
Who would trust him or engage him.
IF the charges were kept secret would
not his business reputation be smirchei
and blackened as long as they hung
over him? Is there any honest reason
why these principles should not appl,
in political affairs? None whatever
i Mr.. Nichols is charged with some
!. thing nobody knows what. He has n,
J chance for a hearing. or defense. HI
e accusers decline to state what thei
s charges are and every man is a
liberty to place any construction upol
e them that his fancy or suspicious ma,
: conjure. 1 am a Democrat, and, as
have already said, would like to Sc
& the Republican office holders removes
for the simple and sufficient reaso,
b that they are Republi leans, and I woul
:. not make any apologies for it. Blu
r this blSiTaSS IF secret 81 md 8,Incnno;f;n 3.