The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-24
CEN wHEELER's RESIGNATION
r,uEs AS A MEMBER OF FIFTY
SIXTH CONGRESS.

suo.ocsts to Gov. Johnston That 1t BE
a.oted to Take Effect when His
succcssor Is Elected-Had Been In
sormed by Speaker Henderson
Tbot the Ruling would BE Against
t4im-President Wants Him to Re
main in the Army.
,tontgomery. Ala. April 23.-Gov. John
sion to-day made public the following lei
ters:
washington, April 20.-To Gov. Joseph
T. Johnston Montgomery, Ala.-Dear Sir:
when the instruction in LuZon broke out
in FEBRUARY, in 1899, 1 was holding a COM
mission in the volunteer army of the
United States, and 1 felt that 1 ought 70
,erform military duty until the converting
If Congress, Dec. A. 1899. I therefore i'm
,nediateIy appealed for active service in
the Philippines, and finally in July, re-
cetyed orders with the understanding that
would be ordered TO return so as to DE
nresent when Congress convened.
IN October ii became evident that to
leave Luzon in time to reach Washington
nv Dec 4, would necessttate leaving my
command during active operations, when
saw clearly that delay of two or three
weeks would enable me to remain with
my command, which was performing its
part in capturing or dispensing the insurg-
ent government, and thus aiding in the
practical termination of the war.
Il therefore suggested that as the first
session of Congress never enacted legis-
iation prior TO Christmas, my arrival in
Washington before the converting of Con-
press. after the Christmas holidays, would
attain every purpose and would enable
me 10 avoid leaving my command in the
midst of active operations.
IN November / forwarded to the Pres
ident my resignation as an officer of the
army, so as to prevent the possibility of
any question arising as 40 my right to my
seat in Congress.
Would Rule Against Him.
"A combination of circumstances delay
cd my reaching Washington, and when
arrived the President very kindly asked
me to remain in the army. / was also
notified by the Speaker that the ruling
would be that my failure to be present
when Congress convened had worked
forfeiture of my seat.
After a conference with Hon. w. j.
Wood, 1 asked him to notify you of the
cOndluonS ana request an eIecIlOiI ne OF
dered for my successor. 1t is now sug-
qested that it is necessary for me TO
send you a formal resignation as a mem
Der of the Fifty sixth Congress from AL
ALBANIA.
q therefore respectfully tender my res
,gnation as such. 1 regret more than
can express any inconvenience my alb
sence has caused the people of the Eighth
district I will devote myself to their
interests in connection with congressional
matters so far as I am able until my
succe ssor is ready to qualify. With re-
spect, your obedient servant
Joseph Wheeler"
A subsequent mail brought to the Gov
ernor the following additional letter from
Gen Wheeler:
ITO Gov Joseph F. Johnston. Montgom-
cry, Ala: Sir-I forwarded my resigna-
ton as a member of Congress to you yes
terday. 1t has been suggested that ii
might he well if il were accepted, to take
effect when my successor is elected. as
that would enable me TO do more inwork-
ing for the district in the meantime, but
that is a matter for your better judg-
ment Very respectfully yours,
Joseph Wheeler"