Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-10
spR,,cEs TO CATCH wooDcocKs.

In the days OF Shakespeare the wood
cock was popularity supposed to be desti-
tute OF brains. In the days of Cleveland
and his Attorney-General. the American
people are supposed TO be woOdcocks.
When Ophelia desires TO impress Polo
Mus with the high and honorable charac-
ter of Hamlet's attention TO herself, she
says:
And hath given countenance to his
speech. my lord.
With almost all the holy vows OF
heaven;
10 which her father replies
LAY. springes to catch woodcocks."
Attorney-General Harmon. IN his cor
respondence with Mr.. Francis r. LASH
ter. United States Attorney for the East
srn District of Virginia. likewise sought
10 give countenance to his speech with al
most ali the holy VOWS of heaven, and
because Mr.. Lassiter refused 10 betray
his party or even to bow his head in the
house of Rimmon. his official connection
with the Department of Justice was
summarily terminated.
In his letter to Mr.. Lassiter. OF the
nth uitimo, Mr.. Harmon said: ''As 1
told you, neither the rule nor its applica-
ton is to be affected by the man or the
circumstances involved in it's application.
Whatever political party or creed your
action should be exerted to support. the
rule would be the same"
AS soon as this correspondence had been
made public. il was pointed out by the
Democratic press that Mr.. Robert H. Roy.
of Brooklyn, Assistant United States
District Attorney, was acting as secre-
tary Of the Campaign Committee Of the
National Democratic party in Kings
county, and that he was as active
partisan of the boilers as Mr.. Lassiter
was OF the regular Democratic organza-
ton.
Close upon the heels Of this expose
comes the news that Mr.. Robert ii. Roy
has with drawn as secretary Of the Cam
paign Committee. and has directed that
hereafter his name should not be used on
any documents having reference to the
campaign. But. in an interview published
In the Washington Post Of the 9th in
slant. MIR. Roy said:
"Of course nay sympathies and my vote
will be with the National Democratic
party, and II there is any way that may
aid in the work for sound money con-
ssstent with the duties of my position as
a prosecuting attorney, l shall most GER
tafnly be found In the breach"
In other words. Mr.. Roy has with
drawn the use of his name from the
committee OF his party. but expects to
continue his active service in support OF
''sound money" and in Presenting the un-
just attacks upon the present administra-
ton"
We have no quarrel with Mr.. Robert II.
Roy. and We do not question his right 10
think and act for himself in this matter
lnasmuch as he Is engaged in battle for
The purpose OF Tesenting what he is
pleased to term the unjust attacks upon
thc present administration. there is no
lear that he will be considered an "offen-
siye partisan by MIR. Cleveland or his
Attorney General. but ito man up
tree il looks very much as II Mr.. Roy
had been requested not TO embarrass his
friends Of the administration by too great
prominence Just at this time.
After all Il does make difference as
10 whose OK is gored. and we feel sorry
for MIR. Harmon. We grieve that a man
who has so lately swollen his bosom
with Just indignation that an Official
subordinate should dare to be true 10 a
party which he has deserted and betrayed.
IS put IN the unfortunate position of
either having to admit his hypocrisy or
else sacrifice an admirer as ardent as
Mr. Robert II. Roy. AIR. Roy need not
feel alarmed. however: he will be allowed
10 keep his Job, and what Is more. he
VIII also be permitted 10 expend his ener-
sies In resenting the attacks. both just
and unjust. made upon the present adj
mlnisiration.
But the people are not woodcocIks. Dir.
Harmon; they can see through a mill
stone when there Is hole through II
and they WIZ remember what you have
written and what "ha8 often been sal
nv those who have established and main