Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-26
why VORYS Was REInSTA1ED
NO INTENTION TO VIOLATE
LAW, WAS FINDING.
Interior Department Decided That
His Subsequent Record Was
Above Reproach.

Because he could not convince the Sec
rotary Of the Interior. Mr.. kirkwood, OF
his innocence of charge Of improper
acts as a pension attorney Arthur I.
Vorys of Ohio. now chief of the political
staff Of William H. Taft. republican can
didate for President. was March T. 1882.
debarred from practice before the pension
office.
He was readmitted in 1897. fifteen years
after. upon recommendation of the COM
missioner of pensions, approved by Sec
rotary Bliss, member Of McKinley's
cabinet.
This information has been unearthed by
democratic party agencies.
The specific charge against Vorys was
that he withheld pension money from
woman client. He said at the time he had
done 1t because she had drunken hus-
band, who would have squandered the
money He paid the money later.
The papers in the case are a matter Of
public record and all, except the letter Of
reinstatement, are contained in executive
document No. 172, Forty-eighth Congress.
first session. entitled Irregular Practices
of Certain Attorneys The letter of rein
statement was given out at the Interior
Department this morning by Assistant At
torney General Woodruff.
1t Is as follows:
department of the Interior,
washington, November ), 1897.
1.-THE Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir: Your letter has been received
transmitting all the papers in relation to
A. l. Forys of Lancaster, Ohio. for con-
sideration In connection with his applica-
ton for restoration to practice as an at
torney before the pension office.
Mr.. Vorys was, by department order of
March 9. 1882. disbarred from practice be-
fore the pension Office upon evidence tend
| ing to show he had withheld pension
| money and violated the law relative to
compensation for services in pension cases
| in connection with the prosecution of the
claim of Susan English, certificate No.
| 1SS9S
1T appears from the papers submitted
| In connection with your report in the
case that Mr.. NoryS at the time of the
| violation Of law above mentioned was
| young law student: that his action In
Withholding the money was not through
| any desire to defraud the pensioner, but
rather to benefit her by preventing it's
use by her husband who was a drunkard
and unable to provide her a support; that
subsequently he refunded her the sum of
1921 .25.
He also disclaims any intention of vio-
lating any law or ruling of the pension
bureau at that time and that during the
sixteen years that have elapsed since the
transaction for which he was disbarred
from practice no additional charges have
been made against him as an attorney.
Upon consideration of all the circum-
stances in the case you reach the con-
clusion that the prohibitory order should
not be further continued in force and
recommend that 1t be rescinded.
For the reasons stated your recon-
mendation in the premises meets with
my approval. and department order of
March @. 1882. disbarring A l. Vorys of
Lancaster. Ohio, from practice before
your office as attorney or agent for ella i'm
ants is hereby Cancelled and revoked
The papers belonging to your office are
herewith returned.
VERY respectfully, c. n. BLISS,
Secretary"