The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-10
FLEMING TOCARLISLE
A Prominent tKentuckian Scores
the Secretary.
WORSE THAN a REPTILE
For Nature Prompts the Reptile
to Warn His Victim
But He Would Rather be Discharged
Treasury EmploYe Than Self
StuIIified Head of the
GanarfmAp4
Department.

Washington, ID. O., Nov. 9.--Judge
w. B. Fleming, the Kentucky Democrat,
who, having been granted leave Of abb
sence from his position in the Treasury
Department, made speeches during the
campaign for Bryan and Sewall, and was
summarily removed the day after the
election, has written the following let
ter to Secretary Carlisle:
Washington, d. c., Nov. Z.
Hon. John g. Carlisle, Secretary of the
Treasury, City:
Sir: Our government guarantees to all
its citizens the privilege of free speech,
so that every American has the natural
right to express in a proper manner his
political opinions. Tn accepting office
the citizen forfeits neither his civil nor
his religious liberty The civil service
law was intended not to destroy these
rights, but to protect them, SO that the
minor official sould at least be as secure
in defending the creed and nominees of
his party as would be Cabinet officer
in exercising the same inalienable rights.
No objection on your part to my activ-
ity in the campaign which has just colsed
was ever made known to me pending the
campaign. On the contrary, | was in
formed that you held TO the view that
you could not consistently remove any
man from Office for exercising the same
rights which you yourself were exercis-
ing. My removal from office, the first
intimation OF which was obtained from
the newspapers while on the train on my
way TO Washington from my home, was
therefore, a complete surprise to me.
No one knows better than yourself the
long friendship had manifested for you,
the interest | had taken, the sacrifices
Of time and money made by me in pro-
noting your ambitions. In view of all
the facts. it seems to me that I was at
least entitled to some warning and notice
before being kicked out of office, without
even the opportunity Of declining to re-
sign.
Had known or suspected that could
not hold Office under the administration
and at the same time exercise the rights
Of an American freeman, | would have
promptly rendered you my resignation
at the opening OF this campaign.
Inasmuch as other appointees of this
administration, including many in your
own department, have been permitted to
take an active part against Mr.. Bryan in
the campaign, not only on the stump, but
in the work of organization, without re-
buke or removal, it is evident that the
cause OF my offending lies not in my ac-
tions, but in my convictions. 1T follows,
therefore, that you have used your great
Office to suppress freedom OF thought
and action, and to punish those who dare
to differ from you-a thing insupportable
in free government-by terrorizing over
the weak and humble. For such abuse Of
public Office, which is public trust, you
cannot but be held accountable at the bar
OF public opinion as well as by the verdict
OF history.
In conclusion, / can only say that, hum
BILE as am, / would rather be discharg-
ed employe Of the Treasury Depart
ment-discharged for doing my duty as
/ see it for my people-than to be Secre-
tary of the Treasury with a record OF
disqualification, such as you have made
for yourself, staring me in the face.
This much of protest / deem it proper
10 make against your treacherous and
tyrannous action.
Very }rty9y vaJrm