Evening journal., 1912-09-30
MORE CONFmrNrIAL LrrrrRs


nNCE more Robert G. Houston one of the leaders
In the Sucker" Progressive movement Of AL
lee and Layton, and candidate for eraI
on the Sucker" State ticket has gone into his pri-
va'e letter file and made of confidential letters
in an effort to show once he was held in esteem
by prominent Republicans in this State His first vio-
ation of the ethics which safeguard private and con
hdential correspondence had with letters writ
ten to him several years ago by General r. Coleman
DUPONT Now the POLITICAL side-partner Of Alice and
Layton makes of letter written to him in 1909 by
United States Senator Henry A. dupont relative to A.
position in the consular service which Mr. Houston
failed to get. That letter was as follows
Winterthur, Del, 2Sth July 1909
Hon. Robert C. Houston,
Georgetown, Delaware
The tariff bill contains provision for tho ap
pointment of Court Of Customs Anneais nc ;,dicsI
salaries bling fixed, believe, at $4,000 per annum
Il has occurred to me that you would be a very
suitable person for such an appointment from the
fact that in addition to your high standing in vour
profession, you have served term Collector OF
II this appointment should appeal to you will take
pleasure in recommending your to the President
for appointment as one OF the judges of the
you obtain the endorsement OF as many members Of
the bench and bar Of Delaware as possible
should Dc pleased TO hear from you carly
convenient Yours very truly
IT, a. DUPONT
To that Mr.. Houston sent the following reply:
Georgetown, Del. Aug g. 1909
Dear sir
In reply TO your letter OF the 2sth utmo exnress
ing your willingness to recommend me for appoint
ment member Of the Court Of Customs Appeals
TO be established IL the tariff act under consid
GRAFTON by Congress-. should become law. If desired
10 be considered for the position wrote you in ac-
nowledging the same that would write you
fully this week
! felt that matter Of such Importance required
careful consideration and did not then feel prepared
20 give you a full and complete reply OF course I
realize that recommendation is not an appointment.
and I do not wish 60 he placed in the position OF
seeking an appointment Of any kind whatever. and
particularly one of judicial nature believe your
acquaintance WIN me IN the past mas SATISFIED you
OF this fact This was the position that assumed
when it suggested TO mo by a number Of friends
that make an effort to secure appointment to the
! should still maintain The President will know what
kind Of man he desires to appoint to this position
II the duty devolves upon him. and Of he has
no knowledge Of any qualification that I may have
for tho position.
II you desire 10 present my name for his considera
ton for this position. II such be established, you
at liberty to do and / will certainly appreciate
anything that YOU can do in nv behalf IT, after
consulting with tho President. he thinks we'll enough
Of your suggestion to desire further Information TO
my qualifications for the position have no doubt
members Of the present Bench who reappointed
from the old Bench, and who therefore best quail
any information desired and | have doubt that
Judge Hastings is also qualified, by his association
with Bar to also furnish similar Information In
fact any member of the old Bench before whom have
tried think these men. because OF their init
mate hnoWlcuge OF the professional and
temperament and character OF tho different members
OF the Bar. arc best qualified 10 speak TO their
qualifications, and | would be entirely satisfied to
abide by their opinion. because I certainly do not
wish to aspire any position when there exists the
least doubt upon the part of those best qualified 20
speak OF my fitness for such a position
believe. you suggest that my four years exper-
fence Collector Of Customs for this district is an
additional qualification in my favor, is possible
that few lawyers have served in this capacity.
l have tried to make my position plain, AID hope
that you will understand that there is lack Of ap-
probation Of your tender. but convinced that
this is the position to assume. and that would not
be justified under the circumstances in doing other
wise Very truly yours.
ROBT. G HOUSTON.
In other words. he simply crazy to get the po-
sition and prone to name his references ability
and character. but he was shy about being regarded
as avowed candidate for the job. In short II
must be instance Of the place seeking the man,
not the seeking the place To anyone who reads
the Houston letter and the spirit Of oceholding hun
ger it reveals between the lines, the high and lofty
spirit which appears the surface is laughable II
he had written, MY dear Senator-Im simply crazy
get the job but don't tell anybody" he might have
saved much time and ink.