Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-02
IAN Official Quarrel.

10 the Editor of The Evening Star:
The article in your issue Of yesterday
with the caption An Official Quarrel" is
SO unjust to me that / ask space for the
following statement Of facts:
Mr.. Register Tillman on September 4
called me to account in his office for state
ments made by me on the previous Satur-
day evening at the Press Club. which state
ments had been repeated TO him on the fol-
lowing day. / had proposed his name for
membership and on said Saturday evening
had been sharply criticised therefor by
members of the club. 1 could only answer
that had known his character and record
l would not have proposed his name and
that If 1t could be properly done. l would
withdraw such presentation and that the
entleman who had seconded his nomina
ton at my request would withdraw his
second.
j stated some facts about Mr.. Tillmans
record-personal.p political and ofiicial-which
lost nothing in transmission, and for that
alone l was called by him to account as
stated. The details of that conversation
are not material. on the following day
Mr. Tillman preferred written charges
against me circumstances and abusing him
in his presence of his clerks" not neglect
of duty'-a false and malicious charSe-as
is fully shown by the fact that two days
later he sent for me and proposed a recon-
Citation and the restoration of the status
L
knowing that he made the charges stated
On the following day, on learning of the
same, / asked him for copy of said letter,
which he promised to give me, saying that
it amounted to nothing" On the follow
ing day / repeated my request, saying was
going to Atlantic City on account of illness.
He again replied that it should be furnish
ed. on the following Monday / wrote him
requesting that he furnish me with copy
of said letter and on Friday-not receiving
a reply Gn the meantime having been fur
nished a copy by Secretary Ca-lisle)-I ad
dressed a letter to the Secretary in reply
to said charges, and made some statements
in respect to Mr.. Tillman's personal charac-
ter and habits and official conduct.
| am advised that MIR. Tillman at once
proceeded to make lis defense by procur-
ing statements from willing or timid clerks
and messengers, as well as from the num-
erous Judges" "Colonels," and Majors"
of his acquaintance about town, in defense
of himself against me-
| have not nled with the Secretary
Charges against Mr.. Tillman and a great
mass OF documentary evidence to sustain
them"
did state the facts as given me by prom
inent democrats of Mr.. Tillman's decker
ing" with both the republican and demo-
cratic national committees as to the sale
of his list of alliance voters in the
south, collected by him with alliance money
and for the good of that order"
| did assert and can establish the fact
If given an opportunity. that Mr.. TIllman
first 'dickered' with the republican nation
al committee, and had grossly imposed on
Messrs. Quincy and Harrity as to the value
Of said alliance list and political condition
or feeling of the alliance in the south
ern states, and that. as a result, those gen
tlemen purchased or obtained the list and
promised Mr.. Tillman an appointment
He was pressed" for an appointment in
the Interior and Post Office Departments
without success. and also for the office of
commissioner of immigra ton without avail
The reporters statement that mo man
was appointed to that particular place"
will doubtless be denied by Hon. Herman
Stump of Maryland.
AS to the assertion that 1.-THE President has
been informed that Mr.. Smith has made
boasts that he could not be removed" 1t
is doubtless true that your reporter was SO
Informed. But the statement by whoever
made is silly and wanton lie out of whole
cloth. Months ago | stated to Secretary
Carlisle that my resignation was at his
service whenever he desired it, / only de-
sired to complete some special work which
had been assigned me by Secretaries Foster
and Carlisle-notably the collection, compi-
lation and tabulation of finacial statistics
relating to state, national and savings
banks, &c, called for by the Senate resolu-
ton Of July 20. 1872, part one Of which
has been published.
After Mr.. Tillmans action 1 again stated
to Secretary Carlisle that il was impossible
for me to get on with the register and that,
If / had means of employment assured, /
would resign at once
| feel this much. is due myself. and while
the charge made by Mr.. Fount Tillman in
no wise affects my personal official in
tegrity, it is of sufficient importance-made
so by your pubication-to state the facts
on my side of the case.
I have lived in Washington for twenty
seven years. have held important and hon
orable positions. but I have lived in vain
II any statements or charges made, or pub
locations inspired by this man can do me
any permanent injury.
HENRY NJ. SMITH. Assistant Register
Mr.. Bartlett Tripp American minister to