The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-02-05
NAME CLEARED OF
CHARGES, PIMDELL
TURNS DOWN POST

Washington. Feb. 3.-Henry M. Pin
dell, OF Peoria. ILL.,, who was recently
dominated and confirmed as ambassa-
Tor to st. Petersburg, has declined the
appointment, according to a letter to
The president made public at the White
House today.
Mr.. Pindell wrote President Wilson
that although the Senate had investi-
gated accusations in connection with
his appointment, he felt, nevertheless.
that no controversy of any kind should
burround the appointment OF any am
bassador as 1t was likely to be mis-.
understood abroad.
The president in a letter of regret
accepted Mr.. Pindell's declination.
MIR. Pindeil's Letter.
The correspondence made public at
the White House follows:
Peoria, m..-Dear Mr.. President: I
deeply appreciate the honor you have
done me in nominating me ambassador to
Russia and the very great compliment
paid, me by the Senate in confirming the
nomination by unanimous vote. I had
hoped and confidently expected when you
asked me to accept the post, that I could
do SO at once and take up the work at
a very early date. I am therefore. the
more embarrassed to find that circum-
stances have arisen which will render 1T
impossible for me to undertake the mis-
sion.
I have. as you know, been put In a very
false light by certain gross misrepresen-
%tations in the public press and while 1t is
true that these have been cleared away
and the nomination accepted in its true
light by the Senate after a thorough and
dispassionate investigation, T feel that 1T
would be more delicate to decline the ap-
potntment than to accept it. No contro-
versy OF this kim should surround the
appointment of an ambassador to a coun-
try which canno be expected to be IA
iniliar with the real circumstances as they
are known at home. There hould be
nothing personal to ralk about Or ex-
plain there as far as the ambassador him
self is concerned.
+ beg. therefore, that. trusting me to be
guided by my own Instinct In this matter.
gratitude for the honor you have sought
to do me and permit me with genuine re-
gret. but with, no hesitation of judgment.
to decline the appointment.
With sentiments of distinguished consid-
GRAFTON. believe me to be, Mr.. President.
your obedient servant.
Henry M. Pindell.
Presidents Reply.
The presidents letter to Mr.. Pindell
Your letter does credit to your delicate
sense Of propriety and serves to increase,
II that were possible today; admiration
nent fitness for the mission which you
now decline.
I can but yield to your Judgment in the
matter: because 1t is clear to me that
feeling as you do. whether you are fully
justified In that feeling or not. you would
not be comfortable or happy in the post.
I therefore cannot insist. You will allow
me. however. I hope. to express my deep
regret. I know your quality so well and
am so anxious to see you at ST. Peters,
burg, that I feel a keen disappointment.
It Is only a very imperfect consolation
that I may now again express my I'M
qualified confidence in your ability. your
tire suitability for such q post.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson.
TIL controversy over Mr.. Pindelrs
nomination grew out Of publication Of
what purported to be a letter from
Senator Lewis, of Illinois, to Mr.. Pin
dell, urging the latter to accept the post
of ambassador to Russia for a year. and
saying he would he relieved of respon-
sibility for important negotiations and
could travel freely in Europe. Senator
Lewis charged that the letter was a
forgery n Secretary Bryan later in
a public statement revealed that the
circumstances were that Mr.. Pindell
had said that he could only accept the
post for a year, because he did not feel
that he could be absent from his bust
ness for any longer period. No men
ton. 1T was said. was made of any
diplomatic task or duties.
A Senate committee investigated the
correspondence and recommended the
confirmation of Mr.. Pindeli.
With the Russian anbassadorship
again open, there was gossip in Of
fetal circles about the likelihood Of
named. Mr.. Crane was uppermost in
the presidents mind early last year for
the post, but Is understood to nave
declined because OF his business inter-
ests in this country.
Mr.. Crane took a luncheon with the
president g few days ago., but it could
not be learned whether the ambassa-
dOrship was discussed.