Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-01
A R ES|GN A TION
Solicitor General Maxwell Sewers His
Connection With the Government.
COULD NOT AGREE WITH Mr.. OLNEY
The income Tax Cases the lmmedi-
ate Cause.
HIS SUCCESSOR NOMINATED

Something of a sensation was created in
official circles here today when 1t became
known that Judge Lawrence Maxwell, jr.,
the solicitor general Of the United States,
had summarily severed his official connec-
tiCn with the government. 1t has been a
matter Of common gossip for a long time
that the official relations existing between
Attorney General Olney and Solicitor Gen.
eral Maxwell, who was his chief assistant.
have not been of the most cordial charac-
ter. They differed frequently on questions
Of policy regarding the proper conduct or
business before the Department of Justice
1t was not until a few days ago. however.
that their relations became so strained
that they could no longer cooperate In the
dispatch of public business.
The Income Tax Cases.
The last misunderstanding between the
two officials occurred early this week and
grew out of the Attorney Generais dis
satisfaction with Judge Maxwelrs course in
securing the advancement of the hearing
of cases before the United States Supreme
Court involving the constitutionality Of the
income tax law. 1t was on Mr.. Maxwell 8
motion that the hearing of these cases was
set for March 1, when the Supreme Court
begins it's second term. The Attorney Cen
eral was openly displeased at this action,
and is said to have taken the solicitor gem
eral severely to task for it. Mr.. Maxwell took
offense at his remarks, and upon returning
to his own office wrote out mis- resignation
as solicitor general, to take effect at once.
Resignation Accepted.
There is some dispute as to the day
when this occurred, but there are reasons
vIo iuro
the date of Wednesday, January 80. The
Attorney General had a conference with
the President on the subject yesterday
morning, the result of which was that the
President addressed a letter to Solicitor
General NaXwell saying that, in accord
ance with his expressed WISH MS resisha-
ton was accepted to take enect at once.
The President coupled this acceptance with
the expression of his personal regret that
MIR. Maxwell felt impelled to such an ao-
rupt termination of their official relations.
Everybody Reticent.
1t is extremely difficult to obtain any re-
liza BILE information in regard to the exact
causes Of Mr. Maxwelrs actions. Attor-
ney General Olney declines positively to
saw anything whatever on the subject
EQUAL reticence is observed by the officials
at the White House and by all the mem
bers of the cabinet. Mr.. Maxwell is not
in the city. He left here on the IL O'Clock
train last night for New York, where he
has important legal business: l. IS & eA-
pected that he will return here in a rev
days for the purpose of arranging 1or the
transfer of his family and household ef-
fects to his home in Cincinnati, ONO ME-
Maxwell was the Presidents personal Sc
lection for the office of solicitor general
He las been in office about two years ana
has proved himself a lawyer OF h1gh at
tainments. His manner. however. was
md
utation Of being unapproachable 1t IS
stated at the Department of Justice that
Mr. Maxwell had left his work In excellent
condition and that every case OF whlch ne
had exclusive control had been cleared up.
1t will be gratifying to his successor. VINO
ever ne may be. to find that none OF tne
cases before the Supreme Court are lett
unfinished, excepting those set 1or luture
hearing and not yet called
Politics I'm 1t.
According to one authority there Is
good deal of politics behind this affair.
Mr.. Olney, 1t is reported, was opposed 10
having the income tax cases advanced on
the Ground that it would affect the demo-
cratic party if the law were declared un-
constitutional
Mr. Maxwell took the ground that he
was running his Office en- purely legal
lines and was, therefore, not at all inter-
ested' in the political effect Of the ad-
voncement of the cases. He had acted as
a lawyer only, and the Attorney General.
seeing the possible evil effects politically
Of the advancement of the case, was an
gry. and expressed himself forcibly. The
Solicitor general, with dignity, resented
such treatment, and the resignation re-
suited. ,
It is quite possible that Mr.. Maxwell
would not have remained in Office longer
than the end of the next term Of the SUI
preme Court because of his legal business.
His PARTNER William Ramsay, is incapaci-
tated from doing work, and the business
of the firm is of necessity thrust upon Mr..
Maxwell and his other partner. Robert
Ramsay Mr.. Maxwells disagreement with
the Attorney General apparently simply ac-
celerated his resignation.
Importance of the Office.
The Office of solicitor general is one Ct
the most honorable under the government
as its incumbent usually represents 1t be-
fore the Supreme Court In all cases In
which the United States Is a party. II
ranks next to a cabinet portfolio and has
a salary attachment of $1,000 per annum
Mr. Maxwell is a Scotchman by birth, but
has been a resident Of Cincinnati for the
best part Of his life.
MIR. MAXWELL's SUCCESSOR.
the Senate.