The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-20
.MABSON'S RESIGNATION
IF ACQUITTED JUDGE JONES
 WILL REArPoINT HIM.
Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Collecting Unauthorissd fees-
 United States Commissiensx at Tuscaloosa Resigns.

The resixnation of Marion 3. Maoson' r,nit.a ststes Commissioner tt Tusca- ico.a was yesterday accepted by Judge Thounas e. jones. If he is acquitted or charge pending against him hs VIII oe
 coramissioner Mabson was recently in- dicted by the grand jury of the Nortnern Federal District of Alabama for cohecc ing unauthorized witness fees. WhAe az serting that he was guilty or notnins more serious than mistakes In judgment, MT. Mabson immediately on notification Of his indictment, forwarded his reag- nation to Judge Jones. His letter wss as foliows: ,...
 .'Tuscaioosa, Ala, Dec. 1. 1scz
 .yzcr. Thounas c. Jones, United States
 District Judge for Alabama. Birming-
 ham, Ala.
 "sir:-owing to the fact that the late grand jury of your court has cnarseo me with an ofsenss as m ofAcial. and rest. ing under that charge, feei that should resign the position I now hold. here
 with tender this my resignation as oniteo States Commissioner at this place.
 T feel confident. however. that as soon
 as the facts are brought out in the trAl' I will be vindicated of the charge of hev- inr dene anything criminaiiy wrong. may. however, be at fault for not exam ming the witnesses more closely, as to
 their identity. In the way of explanation I might say: As the witnesses were brought before me by a regularly ap- pointed Deputy United States Marshal. and as they answered to their names called for in the subpoenas, l had no cause to suspect that they were any oth- or than the witnesses I had issued sub poenas for.
 with feelings of gratitude for your Kindness to me, as we'll as the courtesies shown me at all times by the officers Of your court. I am, with great respect very truly yours M. B. Mabson. United States Commissioner" Yesterday Judge Jones mailed Mir. Nab son 6 communication accepting the resig- nation and stating that If Mir. Mabson is vtndicated by the courts, he will be re- appointed to the office.
 The communication was as follows: Montgomery, Ala, Dec. 1s. 1902.
 ''Marisn B. Mabson. Esq., Tascaioosa' Ala.
 Dear sir:-Your letter of December { to me at Birmingham came duly to hand. Pressure of oficial duties has pre- vented an earlier reply. do not lose sight of the fact that grand juries hear but ono side, and while l would not, therefore. in any wise criticixe their ae- ton in this matter, nevertheless feel that 1t would be unjust to you to con- demn you until all the facts are investi- gated and tried.
 From the nature of the case as report ed to me, 1t seems. that while there was, perhaps. some lack of caution on your part as to the identity of witnesses, there was nothing that showed intentional wrong.
 .sTv, ,,iAvv ns xranr aarvinas tn the eot.s- try in the late war and your high char acter. shall certainly suspend judgment in the matter. Under the circumstances,
 however, think if quite proper for you | to tender your resignation, which Is ae- cepted. Should you be vindicated. I will l reappent you. Yeufs truly.
 Thomas G. Jones'" MT. Mabson is . former Montsomerian
 and has relatives here. He succeeded his father as Commissiener at Tuscaloosa. He served as q commissioned oflcer in . volunteer regiment in the Philippines.