Arizona republican., 1913-10-16
CHANGE IN U.S.
 ATTORNEYSH|P
Joseph Morrison Resigns; Office May Be Required for Democratic Aspirant; Vague Charges of Inat- tcntion to Duty.

The resignation of Joseph F. NOrri- son as United States district attorney for the district of Arizona is on it's way to President Wilson. according to teIegraphic information from the na- 1ional capital Whether the motive for the presidents asking the resignation is political or not. is unclear. for Tn special wires from correspondents in Washington. it is intimated that cer- tain inattentiOns to duty were respOn- sibe for the demand. while friends of the attorney believe that the move ia simply in line with the head dropping that follows a change of party in the high office. The term of four years for which Morrison was appointed ends December %. and as the request for the resignation states il will he ac- cepted at the presidents pleasure some think the urOceedig simply a be- ginning of the change in office that is the prerOgatiVe of the holder of the greatest appointive power in the land.
 Morrison is now in Nogales attend ing to international phases of the arms and ammunition question His assis- tant in office. oscar T. Richey. made the following statement yesterday:
 As far as absenting himself from duty and the harm that might come thereby, you may say that shch is ab- soIutely nOth within the knowledge of the assistants, Mir. Forrest and my self I have been in this office prac- tically all the time since my appoint ment to work with MT. Morrison and nothing has ever happened that would convince me that he has absented him self from his work without permission. He has been out of the state twice. each time to appear before the ninth circuit court of appeals at san Fran cisco. and each time strictly within his official routine"
 Morrison was appointed by President Taft on January l. 1910. the office then being United States attorney for 1he territory of Arizona. On May 1. 1912, the president reappointed him. this time as attorney for the federal district of Arizona. this having become a state meanwhile.
 A remarkable record for convictions and sustentons has been Morrison's in the office of prosecutor before the federal court for Arizona In the four s-nearly-he has served. there have been five cases taken up to the ninth circuit court of appeals, and in all but two the case of the United States mas been upheld. while it is very confidently expected by local authori- ties the other two will also be treated in the same way.
 The cases are: United States vs P. W. Pickett. for interference with a mine surveyor: United States vs. Ser hard ct al. for fencing public lands, and United States vs- John B Goodwin murder The cases of the government against William Stewart and against Jim Hong, both of recent arguing are expected to be won by the federal prosecutor.
 There has always been a great deal of work connected with the Arizona of flee Never less than one hundred cases have been prepared for the grand juries, and seldom have they failed of securing indictment and conviction. According to the office assistants the work of the office has been conducted with a maximum of facility and a mi nimum Of expense.
 If the move is a political one it will soon be apparent for there will be the inevitable announcement of candidates for the office There has been but one