The Washington herald., 1910-10-19

Attorney General Wickershan last night
made public a letter addressed by him TO
/ Henry L. Stimson, which administration
( officials believe will help Candidate slim
son in his fight for the governorship IN
New York. The communication is an
| acknowledgment or Mr. Stimson's resig-
nation OF the office Of special assistant
to the Attorney General in the prOsecu-
/ ton OF the sugar trust cases.
The Attorney General compliments Mr..
| Stlmson on his fidelity TO duty. and gives
/ him large measure OF credit for the
success OF the governments cases against
sugar trust officials.
| Attorney General Wickersham's ac-
acknowledgement OF Mr.. Stimson's resigna-
ton is notable for its length and the cor
diality of its tone.
Mr. StimsOn's Letter.
| Mr.. Stimson's letter says in part:
| / herewith inclose my formal resigna-
ton as a special assistant TO you I'm con-
| necuon with the sugar and other Gus
/ toms frauds at this port. Since / last
/ reported to the President and yourself
/ on these subjects the prosecutions have
/ eliminated along each Of the two princi-
pal lines, The prosecution Of the frauds
Of the American Sugar Refining Company
/ has been carried 10 the conviction OF the
/ high executive officers, the secretary
/ treasurer at Wall street. and the general
/ superintendent OF the refinery.
! Investigation into the affairs Of the
other refining companies has also been
/ practically completed, and I have COM
/ municated my views and opinions there
! on 10 Assistant Attorney General Denl-
son. Such steps as remain 10 be taken
| can be perfectly well taken by him and
the United States attorney.
! I feel. therefore. that I can resign
with a clear conscience the duties which
you requested me 10 assume a year and
half ago"
! Attorney Generals Reply.
The Attorney Generals reply says. in
4 part.
/ Il cannot accept your formal resigna-
/ ton as special assistant 70 the Attorney
! General in connection with The sugar and
/ other customs frauds at the port OF New
/ York. without more than perfunctory
/ expression OF nay high appreciation Of The
/ great value 90 the government Of the
/ services which you have rendered since
/ your retainer 10 April. 1893
4 Your work mas resulted In very radical
Q
/ Of customs revenues. as d result of which
/ 70 IS believed that the government f. now
/ collecting substantially all OF the customs
/ revenues 70 which 10 Is entitled, except IN
[ certain instances where il either has very
/ recently instituted prosecution based upon
proof OF systematic undervaIuauons. or Is
about 90 DO so.
/ Fortunately, yeu were not called upon
/ 10 lay down this work 20 respond 10 an
/ other call 20 public duty until your
/ efforts had resulted In settling all the
decisive issues involved favorably TO the
| government. leaving only the further rou-
| tine application OF the principles you
/ have established 10 be handed over 10 the
I United States district attorney 10 be
/ dealt with IN the ordinary way by his
STAFF. II has always been your desire
/ and mine that this work should be turned
+ over 70 the United States district att0r-
ney as soon as possible. and your resig-
nation only anticipates by few weeks the
/ time OF carrying out that intention"
/ Mr.. WickeTsham letter is generally
/ regarded here as a formal Endorsement by
/ the administration OF Mr.. Stimson S
/ candidacy for the governorship.