The Helena independent., 1893-12-04
HE'LL NOT Have IT NOW
Van Allen Positively Refuses to Go
Abroad as Ambassador
to Italy.
The Charge That He Bought the
Place Influences His De-
termination.
To Prevent Turther Misrepresentation He
Rssigns the Position to Which He
Had Been Confirmed.

WAsHrN1ToN, Dec. 3.--J. j. Van Alien will
not 20 to Italy ~ United States ambsssa-
dor. He respectfully declines TO ACCEPT the
appointment. and in spite Of the pyssi-
dents request that hs reconsider this deter
mination. he firmly refuses. The corre-
spondencs WAS made rublio to-day. Undoy
date Of Newport. Nov. 70. Van Allen writes
Secretary Gresham. acknowledging tho
great honor conferred. but after serious
and careful reflection decides not to accept.
In his letter Van Allen refers to the public
charge that ho received the appointment in
return for Q $4,000 contribution to the
democratic fund. He does not deny having
contributed. not $50 coo. but q considerable
sum Of monsy, but has always insisted that
IL created no obligation Whatever to him.
He feels confident that President Cleveland.
who WAS kind enough 10 say to the Rhods
Island democrats Shst his personal ac-
qusintance snabled him TO consider the
appointment solely on it, personal merits,
will bear hiEz ont in this statement. Under
date of Nov. ~ tbs president writes 40
follows:
Hon. J. J. Van Alien. Ny dear sir:-
The secretary Of state hss submitted to me
your letter Of the Goth. in which you tender
your resignation a. ambassador to Italy.
l hasten to express my earnest wish that
You will reconsider this conclusion. The
sentiments oontsined in your letter do
credit TO your conscience and American
ism; but you must allow me to dissent from
their application in this csse. did mos
select you for the nomination to the Itslian
mission without satisfying myself Of yous
entire fitness for the place. am now bet
ter convinced Of your fitness than ever.
Yon know and know. that all the malig-
nat criticism that has been INDUCED in re-
Rarding this appointment has NO
justification, ana that decent people
who have doubted its propristy have
been mtsled. or have misunderstood she
actual consider ations upon which IL rests.
We should not yield to the noise and clamoY
which have arisen from those conditions.
My personal preference should enter very
slightly into your final detsrmin alton, but
SO far a. have such preference. 10 10 en-
phatioaiIy that you aocspt the honorable
office conferred upon you and vindicatS by
q discharge Of its duties the wisdom and
propTisty of your selection. Awaiting you1
early reply. am yours sincerely.
| GROVER CLEVELAND.
On Nov. 26 Van Allen writes from New
port, thanking the president for the very
kind and hattefing sentiments expressed.
bat stating that for reasons already given
in his former letter. and after long and
serinns consideration he fssls hs cannot
accept the appointment. Van Allen con-
cludss his letter a. follows: my only re-
grot in this decision. which must beg you
TO consider fnal, 10. il 10 contrary to the
personal prefe :ence which you so Kindly
express. But cannot think IL would be
adviea BILE for me to invite further misrep-
RESERVATIONS by taking advantage OF your
generosity. Again thanking you for your
most gracious words, and with tho earnest
hope for continuance of the successes
which have already marked your second
administration. l beg 30 remain. ETC."