The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-09
CUNNINGHAM Is OUI
Governor Accepts the Attorney
Generals Resignation.
LATE FIGHT ON BARNES
Stated TO Have Nothing to Do
With the Action.
LATE FIGHT ON BARNES

Guthrie. Q. T., Feb. s.-Governor Barnes
has accepted the resignation of Attorney
General Harper S. Cunningham, which
has been in his hands since April, 1859.
The following correspondence explains it.
self:
Guthrie 0. T.. April 3, 1899.
Hon c.. II, Barnes, Governor:
Sir-I desire 70 thank you cordially for
my appointment as attorney general TO
ill the vacancy caused by the refusal OF
the territorial council to confirm my
nomination to that position
In view of the fact that your action in
this matter may subject you or your ad-
ministration to some embarrassment or
criticism. deem It my duty to, and here
by, tender you my resignation as such
officer.
Holding myself IN readiness to be Of
service to yourself, your administration
and the Republican party at all times, I
am, sincerely yours,
HARPER S. CUNNINGHAM.
Guthrie, O. T., Feb. ?, 1890.
Hon. c. NJ. Barnes, Governor.
torney general filed with you under date
Of April 3, 1899, which, at your request, I
have not pressed upon your attention, I
desire TO say that as the criticisms, &C
cusations and charges before the interior
depar tnent have fully indicated your
action as governor in this and all other
matters Of administration, 1 now request
you at your earliest convenience to act
upon my resignation and appoint my sue
sessor. Very respectfully,
HARPER S. CUNNINGHAM.
Guthrie, Feb 9, 1900
Hon. Harper S. Cunningham, Attorney
General, Guthrie, 0. r
My Dear Sir-Your communication of
the I'd instant calling my attention to
your resignation Of the office of attorney
general Of Oklahoma, dated April g. 1899.
and which has been held in allegiance at
my request, is now before me.
The unWarranted and unjustihed at
lacks made upon your administration Of
the office of attorney general having now
been determined, and as you renew your
request for the consideration Of your res
ignation, I accept the same to take effect
upon the appointment and qualification Of
your successor
In accepting your resignation, I desire
to express my sincere appreciation Of
your valuable services to the territory
and my hearty oommendatio Of the loyal
and faithful performance Of the duties Of
your Office. Very respectfully,
c. NJ. BARNES. Governor.
Governor Barnes, when asked today If
the charges preferred against his admin
istration had anything to do with the
resignation Of the attorney general, re-
piled in positive terms that such was NOT
the case and that the action OF Judge
Cunningham was purely voluntary. When
the resignation was originally presented.
last April, the governor said he had re
fused to consider If, and his acceptance
at this time was due to the earnest re-
quest Of Judge Cunningham, who desired
TO be freed from his official duties to ac-
eept more profitable legal connection
Judge Cunningham. when seen BY the
correspondent was equally emphatic IN
asserting that his resignation was not due
10 any adverse criticism from Washing
ton. MY letter Of last April speaks for
Itself, he said, "and when the governor
returned from Washington entirely ex-
onerated from the charges and asper-
sions cast upon his administration, re-
newed the request TO be relieved as at
torney general in order that I might be
free to accept the tender of a much more
lucrative legal connection. That is really
ell there is TO say about the matter"
The resignation Of Attorney General
Cunningham will doubtless result in an
active contest for the appointment as his
successor. Among the names of attor-
neys whose names are likely to be pre-
sented for the governors consideration
ane ]. c. Strang and A. II. Huston. of
Guthrie; Sterling P. King. of saltwater:
H. II. Howard, Of Oklahoma City: G o.
Blake and Frank j. Gillette of FL Reno;
Attorney Holt, of Blackwell. and others