The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-10

lons, was being made to bring home
to the American people the truths
upon which / believed the welfare OF
the country depended Hundreds OF
speakers, too poor to pay their owr
expenses, were being helped TO do a
patriotic duty by the national commit
Tee, and a vast amount of literature
was being distributed free to awaken
the public mind on the questions pend
ing in the campaign. The Democratic
party had no favored interests to as
sess and was Obliged to rely upon in
dlviduals for necessary financial as
slstance- Hence my contribution. II
was by no means the first time 1 hao
assisted the party since Mr.. Cleve-
lands aggressive leadership aroused
my admiration, and l do not hesitate
TO say that, if it shall again seem &c
be my duty as a citizen DESTROYS of the
I pest government, it will not be the
last
So far as attaching undue import
anee to it, 1 was fully aware that the
contribution meant far less to me than
tie time and effort devoted by thous-
andS OF unselfish citizens to the same
campaign. Nor did l believe that it
should entitle me to any more consid-
GRAFTON. On the contrary, l have not
only admitted, but have positively in
sisted at all times, that il created no
eiNi1 w lAG WHITLEY anu L le6l
confident that the president, who in
fact was kind enough to say to the
democrats of Rhode Island that his
personal acquaintance with me en-
apied him to consider my candidacy
solely upon it's merits will bear me out
III this assertion.
On the other hand, I frankly admit
that until after the appointment had
been made it never once occurred to
my mind that my contribution could
pc used to my injury ! may add that
although | have endeavored to study
without bias the arguments which
have been advanced, cannot even now
perceive that it is any less creditable
or patriotic for one to aid with his
voice or pen.
But, whatever may be the correct
conclusion regarding the ethics of the
case. the fact remains that a large
number of my fellow citizens have
been led, either by coincidence of cir
cumStances or by false report, to look
upon my appointment as in some way
inconsistent with the professions of
the Democratic party and the presi-
dents high ideals of public service.
BY these critics generally my fitness
for the position has been generously
conceded, but the fact of my contribu-
ton to the campaign fund has been
considered as making it improper for
me to receive this appointment l do
not think | could now remove this I'M
preston from the minds of many right
minded and thoughtful people whose
judgment, 1 frankly admit, may pos
s1bly be correct.
1t is clear at all events find myself
IN a false position with reference to
this office and appointment. Accept
ance of the office would make me ap-
pear willing for the sake of personal
qualification, to discredit in the eyes
of many the political party to which
am attached. and to bring undeserved
rebuke upon the administration which
has honored me and whose success L
earnestly desire.
1t therefore seems to me sufficient to
add that self-respect compeIs me to
adopt the only other alternative and
to decline the high Office to which 1
have been appointed. l have the honor
to be, sir, your obedient servant.
j. j. VAN ALIEN.
The President is not made of that
kind of stuff that covers or falters be-
fore unjust public opinion. Some may
call this obstinaey. At any rate it
is that sort of firmness that has gained
for him the respect of the country
after it has had time to reflect He
strongly urged Mr.. Van Allen to re-
consider his declination, repeating that
he did not make the selection without
satisfying himself that the gentleman
was entirely fitted for the place. And
he added a9lsst
You know and I know that all the
criticism that has been in
dulged in regarding this appointment
has no justification, and that the de-
cent people who have doubted it's pro-
priety have been misled or have missed
the actual considerations upon which
it rests. We should not yield to the
noise and clamor which have arisen
from those conditions"
Mr.. Van Allen remained firm and de-
clared his decision was final In this
he has gained some appreciation from
the press but has exhibited, in our
opinion, little weakness in view of all
the facts. He should have stood above
the crowd that hooted. and Indifferent
to the dust they made. The President
will have to make another selection.
1t will be seen whether it will prove
more pleasing to the politicians than
the first.
We agree with those patriotic people
who despise the purchase of Office
The idea that money or any other
improper means can be used to obtain
positions Of trust under the United
States, is repugnant to every well bal
anced mind. The suspicion of it is
enough to cast a doubt upon
The propriety of an appointment.
But, on the other hand, is it to be an
established rule that no man who has
contributed literally to the support of
MS party shall be qualified to hold a
public office? or does it depend on the
amount donated? Is it to be under
stood that man who contributes a
hundred or thousand dollars may
'eceive an appointment but that he
Who gives ten, or twenty, or fifty |
must of necessity be barred |
nut no matter what may be his quail
ications?
That appears absurd on its face.
While we endorse the idea that no
nan shall be clothed with official
authority because he has furnished
money to his party, we do not agree
With the extreme notion that his
shall be a sufficient disquali-
cation of any office under the gov