The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-01
HARMON'S LETTER TO KEATON
Published by keatOn's Managers to
show His Financial XieWS

| SNOW his FlndHctdl tfeNs
Guthrie, o. T., Aug .31.-(Special.) Ikea
/ tons managers have made public the fol-
lowing letter, written by Attorney Gen.
eral Harmon to Keaton upon the latters
! appointment to the Oklahoma supreme
| bench:
James R. heaton, Esq, Guthrie, Ok.
Department Of Justice. Office Of the At
! torney General, Washington, D. c., Sept.
| 20. 1S96-Sir: The president and myself
have given much attention to the selection
! of a successor to Judge Scott. GU know
as we'll as I, and probably better, why
! the matter gives US so nnuch concern,
and you are fully aware, too, of the quail
| tiles required in the man selected and
the reforms which he must accomplish to
succeed.
or various reasons I have chosen to
ignore the long list OF candidates, though
no doubt some of them may be worthy
of consideration. and to seek the man 1
select to recommend to the president from
the active practitioners of the territory
who have not applied or been urged. Hav-
ing already a good impression of you.
both as a lawyer and as a man, from
what 1 learned during the investigation OF
Judge Scott, have taken such means
as l could TO test the correctness of that
impression. 1t has been confirmed, though
1 must confess that as 1 did not care to
| consult those whom 1 happened TO know
in your territory, my sources of informa-
ton have not been very numerous nor
full. But I have some faith in my own
| instincts about men. and have largely
| depended upon them.
7 was prepared to recommend you some
time ago. when I learned that you are
not in accord with the administration on
the money question, which / regard as so
| important and which now overshadows
all other questions. This made me pause
for. while I accord 70 others the freedom
of opinion which l claim for myself it Is
hard for me to ask tle president to ap-
point a man who, in the issue now so
sharply drawn and so bitterly pressed
! against him. is found in the ranks of the
opposition. You will readily understand
how certain amount OF self-respect is
now involved in the conduct of the presi-
dent and his advisers.
I was, however, informed at the same
time that YOU nave always been a sup
porter Of the president In other respects
and have not lent yourself in any way
to any Of the efforts which have been
made 70 cast diScredit on his motives or
conduct, but have in manly fashion enter
tanned and expressed your views on the
questions named. l confess. also. that my
chief, perhaps my only assurance Of this
is from Mr.. Shiebley. But I have great
confidence in him and do not know in
whom to have confidence among your fei-
lon 7
them are worthy of Il.
I always assume. too, that any lawyer
Of the training. character and disposition
for judge IS incapable OF acting unfairly
or disrespectfully to such a man as the
president, either personally or officially.
however they may disagree with him.
50. al last. being stu convinced that
you. more than any other person l have
considered, possess the mental, moral and
professional qualities required TO ser
things right in Judge ScotJ's late district.
I recommend you, stating fully the cause
Of my hesitation.
I nave just received <he presidents re-
Ply which I think owe l., bota % hin
and TO you. to quote il part. He says. Il
an 50 anxious 70 give the people there
the best judge cneir bar can supply, and
1 am 50 impressed with the idea that FOR
a judicial poscl,ion. especially considering
the atmosphere there financial IDEAS
ought 20 count less than n otter CASES
that 7 am inclined 70 risk Nr Keaton
in view 81 nay belief that ne Is A. nonest
self-respec-ing decent mar. Who wiu am
% be a good Judge. and xii D. wiling
70 fo-ego political controversy and black
guar1isTn-" I cave accordingly 5ust sent
HIN your conaus5 soc 70 De signed
You viii an sure. realize the respo1-
s5hli.cv ! nave taken v4ta respect 20 you.
and vii see 20 Z that I am tus,isz6 %
Jour personal and Official o9ndact
A. thss appointment has been already
delayed zoo long. 7 nope you a.! Re able
n take aold ~ o1ce. as soon IS 7 z7rs
~o1 Fhat ysgr coumLsz.ou has been
g. gneE- You need 1ot RssE FOR L. bat
cave spare ~ rsse tourral % spread q;
wien l. coues take IRE oz-1 au5 pro
cee6 w.ta re c5a-r- Or course. = yo1r
affairs prevezt th5s course Tsgt uafl ;he
commission cones FL; A5De tbs MI
not De necessary.
ToE have a opportunity ROE. rot o.sy
% xsznsuE 6ls-5zc--oa. %, a8so q % ~
q rz-e poofz1 as-Esce 20 RE psogse a-sozE
~aon yo1 I've ard 20 Is ssrs VITO are
rsEponzsnse so- TIE sfzz1nlstrat1an G. sgs-
tlca among the-n. nsvsr sax Tog Ros
nay never see yol. ~; 70 o5s szs1zg 4
you- frle7-ss wssses yea Success mere 4
sincerely tAaa do. Very Flace-ely 4
yS--A ICDSoS HARMON /