Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-10-11

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 member Of Congress
from a district in the western part Of
New York State, and the Supreme
Court Judge before whom William M.
Tweed was tried toward the close OF
his life once told few of his friends
a very interesting and somewhat
amusing anecdote about the late Gen.
Stewart l.. WOodford. Gen. Woodford
gained high distinction shortly after
his college career and his law course
was ended.
In the presidential campaign of
1856 and again In that OF 1860 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
AT a younger age than anyone had
been nominated for that office except
William n. 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 anecdote I am about
10 tell JUDGE Davis used IN say that
one OF the most unpleasant expert
ences Of General Woodford's life was
due 10 kindly intent on his part Ia
be couriesously funny. and that this
intent cost him the high Office which
he held.
"Woodford was somewhat proud Of
his Official position" said Judge
Davis land on the whole be filled the
Office very credifahlv 7 know that.
because nv own experience in that
office had taught me what some Of its
dinoulties were
Suddenly there came limitations
from Washington that General Wood
ford had resigned 40 explanation
was given. hut ! felt certain that
there had been trouble Of some kind
~ learned several wears later what
the trouble was. and 7 think IT, was
the most curlous cause Of retirement
from public Office that ever came
within mn knowledge.
"Woodford was TO try an important
case and General Ben Rutler was on
the other side Butler was one Of the
most expert masters Of compliment
when he wanted 10 he complimentary
this county has ever produced. lie
exercised that power over Woodford
because he wanted the case to be put
off.
BENJAMIN H. Brewster was the
attorney-ge general AZ washington and
he wrote TO woodford directing him
10 begin the trial Of the case imme-
diately.
"Thereunon Woodfbrd replied IN
what he thought was very cour-
teous. but gently humorous manner.
He stated that AS district attorney
manv things we're In his discretion
Furthermore-he stated that IL the
attorney general we're 10 write 10 him
on personal business and were to put
the communication i'm an official en-.
velope then II would be within his
discretion whether or not he SHOULD
prosecute the attorney general foi
violation of the law OF course bis
discretion would lead him TO refrain
from prosecution. The attorney-gen.
tIdt uiu not see tue uunOI III lnlf
letter. He took IL seriously. and the
result was that after comforting with
President Arthur. who could not heir
LAUGHING when he heard what Wood
ford's letter was. for he knew him
we'll. he communicated with General
Woodford in such manner as made il
inevitable that Woodford's resigna-
ton should be offered. And 7 don
think Woodford ever comprehendec
what 1t was in his communication t.
the attorney-general that had giver
such offense"
Copyright. 1913. BY e. ]. Edwards