The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-19
Is Quickly Accepted and
 Hays Will Act.
TEXT OF CORRESPONDENCE
Inner Workings of Conspiracy
 Exposed.
Sensational Letter, in Form of Amda- wit, iS Said to he In the Hands of Secretary of Agri-
 culture.

Washington. July 1s.-The resigna- tion of John Hyde, statistician and chief of the bureau of statistics of the Department of Agriculture, was handed to Secretary Wilson today and prompt ly accepted. Willett N. Hays. the as- sistant secretary of the Department of Agriculture has been placed in charge of the bureau temporarily and will con- tinue to act pending the investigation of the cotton scandal until competent statistcian Is found.
 Mir. Hyde's withdrawal from the de- partment created wide interest. Secre- tary Wilson and other officials of the department have stated that MT. Hyde has not been implicated in any manner in the Irregularities that have resulted in the dismissal of Edwin S. Holmes, the assistant statistician, whom secret service men charged with being guilty of giving the brokers advance figures of cotton crop statistics.
 Tn his letter to the secretary Mir. Hyde takes notice of the fact that he will be criticized for resigning under fire and in defense says there has never been a time when he was under fire. He then declares than an organiza- tion-meaning the cotton growers-is bent upon getting him out of the gov ernment service and that his health
  unequal a struggle
 There is considerable speculation as to the probable successor of MT Hyde. One name, that has been suggested is B. W. Snow of Chicago, statistician for a well known farm journal and once an assistant statistician under J. s. Dodge, who was chief of the bureau about twelve years ago. Mir. Dodge was In charge at the time the present system of gathering crop statistics was devis- ed. Colonel Henry Hester, secretary of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange in a conversation with Secretary Will son contended that the salary paid by the government Is inadequate to get the right kind of a man for the place.
 The CorespOndence.
 The following Is the text of MT Hyde's letter of resignation and secre- tary Wilson's reply thereto: .United States Department of Agricul-
 ture, Bureau of Statistics.
 washington, D. C.. July IS. 1905.
 Dear. MT. Secretary-During the last four years, or since I succeeded In making the crop reports of the depart ment reasonably accurate and cores pondingly valuable to the agricultural and commercial interests Of the coun- try, my administration of the office I have the honor to hold, has been con stantly under fire from one side of the market or the other Five times 1t has been investigated and on every occa- sion I have been vindicated. In Janu- ary 1903, I was awarded $2,500 dam- ages in a libel suit against prominent firm of cotton brokers by jury or their own friends and fellow citizens. These results have been very gratify- ing to me, but I have the highest med ical authority for the statement that the continued fight on me has already considerably shortened my life. At the present time 1t Is an accepted fact that a powerful organization Is bent upon bringing about my retirement py one means or another. Now do not think the position I hold is worth the fight necessary to its retention and the organization in question Is welcome to whatever satisfaction 1t can derive from my withdrawal from the unequal struggle. If any of my friends think that I ought not to retire under fire. l would have them remember that there is never time when l am not under fire. .".~ ~-.-'
 "I have the honor therefore. to ten- der YOU herewith my resignation of my appointment as statistician and chief of the bureau of statistics of this de- partment.
 With much appreciation for the uniform courtesy and kindness you have shown me and of the many tokens of confidence l have received from you, I am, Most respectfully yours,
 John Hyde. Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agri- culture" s.E-:.:s +.> Wilson's Letter.
 Secretary Wilson's reply to MT Hyde,s letter of resignation Is as fol- lows
 ment of Agriculture:
 Dear Sir-I am in receipt of your resignation as statistician Of this de- nartment, In accepting 1t I che heerfully testify to the ability with which you have discharged the heavy and diffi- cult duties of the office since you were first appointed The accuracy of your reI orts has been recognized by the public generally, and l am glad to be able to testify with regard to the charges made against the integrity Of the bureau of statistics that no facts have been brought to my attention im- plicating you in any way.
 "I am familiar with your devotion to vour work and with the untiring ef- forts YOU have made to render the hureau of the highest service to u e rrowers. manufacturers and consum- ers of farm products Tn our country, ond regret that failing health should anponel YOU to bring your work to an ond Very truly yours,
 emu James Wilson,
 Secretary.
 Mir t1vJe. at his house tonight, said Chat he felt that he had cast an nm nense burden from his shoulders He had fully intended to resign some time nur,np the coming autumn. he said. and ,fora ll,S he had only advanced his rnsisnation res by few weeks, MT Hyde spoke of how congeniai the Y. work TX. had had been to him. notwithstanding us Ia Sorious character, and expressed re- eret at having to part from the effi. cient clerical force in the bureau or statistics ....- -., L..
 As regards the investigation now be- ing conducted by the. district attorney MT. Hyde said he had caIcuiateu .o .t'a. aH- slst in every possible way in getting 10 the bottom of the case and that even now that he was out of office he will if called upon, be only too happy to contribute in any way his aid in the investigation.
 Will See Them, If "Respectable."
 Washington, July 1S.-Secretary Will son recieved the telegram of President