The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1896-11-12
Calls Carlisle a Tyrant.

Calls Carlisle Tyrant.
Judge w. B. Fleming, who was
from the opposition as chief
Of the law and record division Of
the supervising architects Office,
treasury department, on Wednes-
day last, Monday sent the follow
ing letter to Secretary Carlisle: |
SIR--Our government guararl-
tees to all its citizens the privi- !,
lege of free speech so that every
American has the natural rigltto
express in a proper manner his
political opinions. In accepting
the office, the citizen forfeits
neither his civil nor his religious
liberty.
The civil service law was in
tended not to destroy these rights,
but to protect them, so that the
minor official should at least be as
secure in defending the creed and
nominees of his party as would be
a cabinet officer in exercising the
same inalienable rights.
No objection on your part to
my activityin the campaignwl'' Ii
has just closed, was ever maze
known to me pending the cam
paign. On the contrary, | was
informed that you held to the
view that you could not consis-
tently remove any man from office
for exercising the same rights
which you yourself were eXercis-
ling.
| My removal from Office, the first
| intilnation oil which was obtained
from the newspapers while OIL the
train on my return to Washing
ton from my home, was, therefore,
a complete surprise to Inc. No
; one knows better than yourself
the long friendship ] had mani
tested for you, the interest | had
taken and the sacrifices of time
and money made by me i'll pro
moting youl ambitions.
In view of all these facts itseein:
to me that | was at least entitled
/ to some warning and notice befor'
c being kicked out of Office withou
D even the opportunity of declining
to resign.
Had | known or suspected tina
d | could not hold Office under thi
u administration and at the sam
$ time exercise the rights Of a
r. American freeman, would hav
promptly rendered You my resiG
nation at the opening Of the car
z paigu.
y Inasmuch as other appoiutet
of the present administration, il
cluding many in your own d.
partinent, have been permitted I
take an active part against NJ
Bryan in the campaign, not onl
y on the stump, but in the work
organization, without rebuke (
81 removal, it is evident that Il
e cause of my offending lies not
70 my actions, butinm my conviction
J., It follows therefore that yo
4, have used your great Office to su
\, press freedom of thought and a
K ton, and to punish those wi
l. dare to differ from you--a thir
insupportable in free governme
" by terrorizing over the WEI
and humble.
|" For such abuse of public oific
:" which is a public trust, you ca
not but be held accountable at q
i, bar of public opinion as we'll
yr by the verdict of history.
n In conclusion / can only
sf that humbleasT am I would rati
q, De discharged employe Of Il
:: reasury department, discharg,
y Tor doing my duty as | see it f
y NY people, than to be secretary
he treasury with a record Of Sc
= qualification, such as YOU Ina
!! nade'for yourself, staring Inc
( he face.
a This much Of a protest ! dee
u t proper to make against yot
u, reacherous and tyranous actio
Iery truly yours,
w. Il. FLEMING.
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