The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-12
'Fa'Iure in Attending to Official Duty" Is Given as Reason
 by Department
COMES AS SURPRISE ID
 PEOPLE OF BIRMINGHAM
Mir. Vaughan Says His Office Is Clean From Top to Bottom and He Knows of No Charges
 Being Filled.

William Vaughan, United States dis trict attorney for the Northern district of Alabama, has been removed from office. The order of removal was issued in Washington yesterday and gave as the reason for its issuance failure in at- tending to official duty.
 The action comes as a complete sur prise, not only to members of the repub- lican party in Birmingham. but to the public in general, it having been the belief of almost every person in the city that MT. vaughans troubles had ended when his re-appointment was made last fall. At that time his fight was hard and bitter but his friends persevered and finally caused the President to send his name to the senate.
 It is stated in Birmingham that no charges had been made against MT. Vaughan and that the details of the charge of neglect of duty are inexplica- ble. MT. Vaughan asserts nose positive ly that his office is clean and has been and that his duties have been performed to the best of his ability. He declares he cannot understand the meaning of the statement from the attorney generals office that his removal was flor failure in attending to official duties.'
 VAUeHAN's STATEMENT.
 MT. Vaughan when seen last night and asked If he wished to make any state ment said:
 My office is clean from top to bot tom. I had thought that I had been a faithful public servant and am still of that opinion. have nothing to give out at present, and under no circumstances would criticise the department of Jus- tice, nor question the Presidents atti- Jude in the natter
 In other than republican circles it is stated that MT. Vaughan's removal was due to the prominent part he has been taking in politics of recent times It Is stated by persons, who believe this to be the cause, that President Roosevelt has upon several occasions put his foot down against any office holder taking a very active part in political matters. and that he has especially insisted that such office holders as MT. Vaughan should not at- tempt to control the republican party in their respective states
 VAUGHAN TOO PROMINENT.
 It is argued by those who are persuaded the action was because of such orders, that it is too well-known to admit of denial that MT. Vaughan was the leader of the controlling faction of the repub- lican party in Alabama, and that he had the machine so perfectly under control that any word from him was regarded as so much republican law. They fur ther state that this machine was being made even more perfect since the elim- nation of the negro vote, and that It's control was as much as ever in the hands of the district attorney.
 It is further stated that Mir Vaughan was some time ago advised that he was playing too prominent a part in the re- publican party circles to please the Pres- dent. This supposed suggestion, it is said, was the cause of MT. Vaughans volun- tary withdrawal from the chairmsnship of the executive committee of the party. or his agreement to do 80. since his resig- nation wss not accepted when rendered, but would virtually take effect at the expiration of his term.
 whether or not MT. Vaughan agreed to this, if such was suggested to him. 1t Is asserted that while he would not re- tain the chairmanship of the executive committee in name, he would reslly re- .ain it's authority. Some think that either his state was being placed in line for an opponent of MT. Roosevelt or that the latter ceared such action would be taken, and had decided to play a card early in the game and force the machine in line for him, and so removed MT. Vaughan from office.
 The following telegram was received last night from the correspondent of the Age-Herald at Washington
 A WASHINGTON ACCOUNT.
 Washington, D. C., September 11-(spe- rial.)-Orin J. Field, appointment clerk of the department of justice, stated to- night, in response to rumors concerning the northern Alabama district attorney ship, that William Vaughan, the incum- bent had been removed flor failure in at- tending to official duty
 He would not tonight give further par ticulars concerning the subject and other officials of the attorney generals office were reticent about the matter. Repre- sentative Clayton of Alabama who Is in the city, was also surprised to hear of District Attorney Vaughan's removal, as it was known that no charges were pend- Ing.
 Nothing is known here as to vaughan's possible successor or as to the policy the President will pursue in making an ap- nointment to fill the vacancy. When the fght over Vaughan's reappointment came up several months ago the Presi- dent at first stated he would not ap- noint him, but intended giving the posi- tion to some man. not necessarily a re- nublican, who would assist in building ,,p A white mans republican party in the south. Later. however, Vaughan's friends got to work on the President, |. with the result that the President reap If the President decides to appoint a