The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-10

and by your command For example,
the secretary Of State, comptroller
and the State treasurer and State
boards which could be mentioned.
AS stated above, the express term
OF the statute provides that | shall
render advice to the different officers
or the State and take appropriate ac-
uon in the premises. / should not
nave considered it too much of an
encroachment on my rights if, on ac-
count Of personal feelings which YOU
may have toward Mr.. Dominick. YOU
mad requested that all communica-
tons between you and myself should
be taken up by me individually, and
that Mr.. Dominick should not be
brought into contact with your office.
but the slightest reflection upon
your part, it seems to me, would
show you that the terms Of your
letter are doing Mr.. Dominick q
personal injury and making your
self the manager of my office.
/ do not recall any statute which
fixes a definite period or term of Of
flee of the assistant, but leave the
attorney general in position, if there
be proper objection made or if he
so desires, to ask at any time for
the resignation of his assistant, nor
wouldsI hesitate a moment, if proper
other officer that would justify my
asking for his resignation, to do so,
ana have some one else appointed,
but upon such a statement-that he
is not in sympathy with your poll
cies,' i can not and will not under
take to act. 1t is too indefinite, too
unfair and unjust for me to treat any
one, let alone man who has been
faithful in his work and who, I am
glad to say, has met with the ap-
proval and good opinion Of the judi
ciary of the State and who 1 do not
believe can be called incompetent or
who would fall below the average Of
his predecessors.
Besides. the solicitors of the State
are part Of my department and act
under my instructions, and, l believe,
in some cases under yours directly.
They are elected by the people of
their several circuits. / do not say,
or undertake to say, that these gen.
tlemen would not fulfill the duties
of their offices and respond to any
call that YOU might make upon them
or act in full cooperation with me.
The point Of your attack, however,
seems only to be directed against an
assistant in my office, who has no ini-
tiative whatever and who is soleIy
responsible to me, whose duties can
be circumscribed or limited by me
or whose tenure of office can be ter
minated at any time by me. l am
find no precedent for the demand you
make upon me, historically or politi-
cally.
With regard to the threat that you
make of bringing the matter to the
attention Of the egislature-why YOU
must take whatever course YOU see
lit about the matter; but l must sug-
gest to you that this method of ex-
preston and tone OF communication
is not pleasant and is not charac-
teristic of proper official communica-
tions.
/ have endeavored. as stated, to di-
vest myself of any feeling on this
subject in making my reply to you.
still desire to serve in the best way
can the people who have done me
the honor to elect me to the office of
attorney general. I shall not at any
ones suggestion lay down those du-
ties voluntarily, but will endeavor to
maintain the rights Of my office and
to perform it's duties.
Please distinctly understand that I
am, as such attorney general, ready
to confer with you and to commune
cate with you upon any question re-
lating TO my office and the perform
ance of its duties as the law defines
! have only one request to make
of you, which l have no doubt you
will gladly grant should you COM
municate with the general assembly
upon the subject matter of your let
ter, be kind enough to incorporate a
copy OF your letter to me and my
reply thereto.
am Very respectfully,
(SiSneO Thomas Fl. Peoples,
Attorney Geenral
January %.