The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1893-12-09
Van Allen Declines.

n " dSiAAIieCOH uISpdCcu Oh Juc Oh
says
j. J. Van Allen will not go to Italy
as United States ambassador. He
respectfully declines to accept the APP
pointment and, in spite of the Presi-
dents requests that he reconsider this
determination, he firmly declines.
The correspondence was made public
to-day. Under date of Newport, No
vember goth, Van Allen writes Secre-
tary Gresham, acknowledging the
great honor conferred, and stating
that after serious and careful refec
ton he decides not to accept the APP
pointment.
In the letter Van Allen refers to the
public charge that he received the ap
pointment in return for $50. 900 con-
trlbution to the Democratic campaign
fund. He does not deny having con-
tributed not 500, 900, but consider
Abe sum of money, but he insists that
1t created no obligation whatever to
him and says he feel confident that
President Cleveland, who was kind
enough to say to the Rhode Island
Democrats that his personal acquain-
lance would enable him to consider
the appointment solely on Mr.. Van
Aliens personal merits, will bear him
out in this statement.
Under date of November 22d the
President writes as follows:
"Hon. j. }. Van Alen-MY DEAR
SIR: The Secretary of State has sub
mitted to me your letter of the goth
inst, in which you tender your resio-
nation as ambassador to Italy. I has
ten to express my earnest wish that
you will reconsider this conclusion.
The sentiments contained in your let
ter do credit to your conscience and
Americanism, but you must allow me
to dissent from their application in
this case. l did not select you for
nomination to the Italian mission with
oft satisfying myself of your entire
fitness for the place. l am now bet
ter convinced of your fitness than ever.
You know, and [ know that all the
malignant criticism that has been in
dulged in regarding this appointment
has no justification, and that decent
people who have doubted it's propriety
have been misled or have missed the
actual consideration upon which it
rests. We should not yield to the
noise and clamor which have arisen
from those conditions. My personal
reference should enter very slightly
into your final determination, but so
far as have such preference it is
emphatically that you accept the hon
orable Office conferred upon you, and
vindicate, by the discharge of it's du-
ties the wisdom and propriety of your
selection. Awaiting your early reply,
I am yours sincerely,
,,GRovER CLEVELAND.
On November Goth Van Allen writes
from Newport thanking the President
for the very kind and fattering senti-
ments expressed, but stating that, for
the reason already given in the for
mer letter, and after long and serious
consideration, he feels that he cannot
accept the appointment. Van Allen
concludes his letter as follows:
"My only regret in this decision,
which must beg of you to consider
final, is that it is contrary to the per-
sonal preference which you so kindly
express. But cannot think it would
be advisable for me to invite further
misrepresentation bytaking advantage
of your generosity. Again thanking you
for your most gacious words, and
with earnest hope for the continuance
of the successes which have already
marked your ADMINISTRATION, l beg to
remain, yours sincerely,
~. j. VAN ALIEN"