Evening journal., 1913-10-11
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Serious Effect of an
Intended Pleasantly
BY Holland.

The late Noah Davis, who was at
one time United States district attor-
ney for the southern district OF New
York, also a member Of Congress
from a district in the western part Of
New York State, and the Supreme
Court Judge before whom william NJ.
Tweed was tried toward the close Of
his life, once told a few Of his friends
a very interesting and somewhat
amusing anecdote about the late Gen.
Stewart L. Woodford. Cen. Woodford
gained high distinction shortly after
his college career and bis law course
was ended.
In the presidential campaign OF
1855 and again in that Of SEQ he was
ranked as the most promising OF the
younger campaign orators. He was
Lieutenant Governor Of New York
state when only about thirty years Of
age and was nominated for Governor
AZ a younger age than anyone had
been nominated for that once except
William II Steward He was United
States district attorney for the New
York city district under Presidents
Garfield and Arthur and was minis
ter TO Spain under Mckinley. at the
time Of the rupture OF peaceful rela-
tons with that country.
In relating the aneodote 7 am about
to tell. Judge Davis used 70 say that
one Of the most unpleasant expert
encee Of General Woodford's life was
due 10 n kindly intent on his part TO
be courtesously funny and that this
intent cost him the high Office which
he held
"Woodford was somewhat proud OF
his official position" said Judge
Davis "aud on tho whole he filled the
Office very creditahly 7 know that.
because nv own experience IN that
Office had taught me what some of its
dif1culties we're.
Suddenly there came intimations
from Washington that General Wood
ford had resigned. No explanation
was given hut folt certain that
thcre had heen trouble NJ some kind
"I learned several wears later what
the trouble was. and I think IL was
the most curious cause of retirement
from public Office that ever came
within my knowledge.
'Woodford was 10 trv IN important
case and General Ren Butler WAS on
the other side Butler was ono of tho
most expert masters Of compliment
when he wanted to be complimentary
this county has ever produced. Re
exercised that power over Woodford
because he wanted the case to be put
OF
"Beniamin II. Brewster was the
attorney-general At Washington and
he wrote TO Woodford directing him
to begin the trial Of the case imme-
diatelv.
"Thereunou woodford replied in
what he thought was a very conr-
teous. hut gently humorous manner.
He stated that as district attorney
rnanv things we're IN his discretion
Furthermore. he stated that II the
attornev-generai we're 10 write to him
on personal husiness and were 10 nut
the communication IN an official en-
velope then II would be within his
discretion whether or not he should
. prosecute the attornev- general for
violation az the law. or course hii
discretion would lead him TO refrain
from prosecutions The attorney-gen.
eral did not see the humor in this
letter. He took II seriously. and tho
result was that after conferring with
President Arthur. who could not heir
LAUGHING when he heard what Wood
ford's letter was. for he knew him
well he communicated with General
Woodford in such manner as made il
inevitable that Woodford's resigna-
tion should be offered And 7 don
think Woodford over comprehendet
what it was in his communication 3,
the general that had giver
such offense."
Copyright. 1918. by F. !. Edwards
All rights reserved).