The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-20
Recently Appointed Reporter OF
Court of Appeals Writes a
Csustic Letter.
REFUSES TO ACCEPT OFFICE.
Says That He Does Not Propose
to Cease Active Political
Work Because of His
Job.

F. Y. Mitchell OF Springfield. one OF the
best-known attorneys and politicians OF
Southwest Missouri. end who YVES recently
appointed reporter Of the Court Of Appeals.
has refused to accept the cfice under the
conditions imposed by two Judges OF the
court. In 4 caEstic and self-e1pianatery
letter, he gives his reascns.
Mr.. Mitchell. was IN the city yesterday
The letter which he sen. to Judges aoede
and Bland is as follows:
Springfield. No.. Dec 1s SCR l. Gco6e
and c. c. Bland. Judges 8. Louis Court Of
Appeals. 81. Louis. NO.: Gentlemen-oa De
cember 1 the st. Louis Court Of Appeals xp-
pointed me reporter OK the court for . tefm
Of four years. beginning January 1904
The first time called yo1 thereafter 200
informed NE that condition precedent 70
my accepting the position must agree TO re-
frain from FL active participation in poIifsc1-
decline to agree to the condition. and hencs
decline the appointment
It Is passing strange that you should mako
this demand upon me il view OF the &c. that
when you were candidates for the positions yoa
now occupy you not only did not discourage my
activity In politics. but commanded the sR1rs
and urged me to greater endexvor3 m yoscr BE-
half.
HAS OBLIGATIONS TO PAY.
There is a class o. politicians In this country
who think :I.et :he encs o. party organisation.
good government ard patriotism are reached
when they a1e landed securely IN a good Of
dee. and you evidently belong to that cia8-
AZ for myself. I should expect 70 lose the
respect Of my friends and myself II should
agree to your proposition and announce that.
inasmuch as I had secured an ofnce. that I
would no lonxe, take srr intsrsss IL POLITICS.
I owed q debt Of gratitude to the Democ-Sffc
party and my friends who made It possible
for me to secure the place. srd, :sstesd Of
quitting politics. n you would have ne do. j
should feel Obligated to snow increased activity
would not quit politics II could. and
could not 1 would. for have incurred Oh
nsations to friends. the greater part Of which
were incurred in The interest OF your csndi-
dacies when you were candidates for the Offices
you now hold. and would be n migrate not to
repay them.
But, II 1 never expected b aftenA another
primary or election. would not aGrss to your
terms. and thereby surrender my right b b .
free moral agent. and to freely discharge the
duties and enjoy the privileges Of an American
citizen
In ending. I have to say that cannot bat
feel assured that n your respective terms d
Office draw to q closs you VIII b seised with
. great patriotic fervor and will aeain call
the attention Of your friends To the fact that
their fundamental duty to their country n ae-
tive participation in politics. and. incidentaly.
securing your renomination.
This letter II not addressed to Judee Reybufn
for the reason that be does not join in this
demand upon me. and therefore infer that
he IL Of the opinion that one shouId not forsake
his friends and his party. although he happens
to hold q good office which b has secured II
their hands. Yours truly.
E 7. MITCHELL.
INAILENABLE RI0HTA
1T took the STEP" Mr.. Mitchell said
YESTERDAY. simply because Of the rea-
SONS which 1 have set out in my letter.
Though tho position pays 1900 yesr.
and the duties are Of such a nature that
most of the work can easily be done ae
home. WITHOUT prejudice to ones law
practice. I do not feel called upon to
forego rights which I consider inaiisns-
BILE.
"I was secretary Of the Lawyers Com.
m.ttee that urged the candidacy Of Judge
&C ode, and was secretary OF the conven-
ton that nominated Judge Bland. Twas
rsier6 in Roila and did everything In M
rover to forward their interests. Now
comes this last proposition. one that
do not think would appeal 90 any fair
minded mar
Mr.. Mitchell Is the leader ef the faction
in Greene County that IL opposed to
Emmett Newton. and was instrumental
in beating him for reelection a. state
Commute man. He II also . great friend
of Secretary Of State Sam b. Cook Hs
returned to sprinSAeld last night.