The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-05

selecting such assistant, given me
by the General Assembly. and to re-.
strict 1t to such person as may to In
full sympathy with my (your) por-
sonal policies"
Admitting for moment this claim
0f yours no oInce lii any department.
judicial. legislative or otherwise. in
whom the Legislature has vested the
righ, of appointment OF assistants.
could hold office save by your grace
and by your command. For example.
the Secretary of State. Comptroller
General, and the State Treasurer, and
State boards which could be men,
toned.
AS stated above. the express term OF
the Statutes provides that shall rem
der advice to the different officers OF
the State and take appropriate action
In the premises. should not have con-
sidered II too much of an encroach-
ment of my rights II. on account OF
personal feelings which you may have
towards Mr.. Dominick. you had re-
question that all communications be-
tween you and myself should be taken
up by me Individually. and that Mr..
Dominich should not be brought into
contract with your Office. but the
slightest reflection upon your part, It
seems 10 me, would show you that the
terms Of your letter is doing kir.
Dominfck n personal injury. aud maxi
Ing yourself the manager of my Of
flee.
l do not recall any statute which
fixes definite period or tern, of Of
flee Of the assistant. but leave the at
| torney general in position, IL there be
objection made. or IL he so desires. to
ask. at any time. for the (Here follows
line not legible-typewriter copy.)
that would Justify my asking for his
! resignation. to do so, and nave some
ono else appointed. but upon such q
stateinent-that he is not In sympathy
with your Policies" I cannot and
will not undertake to act 1t is too
| indefinite. too unfair and unjust, for
ME to treat any ono. let alone a man
who has been faithful in his work, and
who. am glad to say. has met with
the approval and good opinion of the
judiciary Of the State. and who l do
not believe can be called incompetent
or who would fall below the average
predecessors.
Besides, the solicitors of the State
are part OF my department and act
| under my Instructions. and, believe,
| In some cases under yours directly.
| They are elected by the people OF
their several circuits. I do not say,
or undertake to say, that these gentle
men 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
NY office. who has no initiative what
| ever and who is solely responsible to
| me whose duties can be circumscribed
or limited by me or whose tenure Of
Office Can te terminated at any time
by me. am sure, upon reflection. that
you will find no precedent for the de-
mand you make upon me, historically
OF politically.
With regard to the threat that you
| make Of bringing the matter to the
| attention Of he legislature-why you
must take whatever course you see fit
about the matter; but I must suggest
tc ycu that this method III expression
| and tone OF communication is not
pleasant and is not characteristic of
proper official communications.
have endeavored. as stated. to
divest 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. shall not at any
ones suggestion, lay down those
duties voluntarily, but will endcavor
b maintain the rights of my office and
to perform its duties.
Please distinctly understand that 7
am. as such attorney general. ready to
| confer with you and to communicate
with you upon any question relating
to my Office and the performance of
It's duties, as the law defines.
have only one request to make OF
you. which have no doubt you will
gladly grant, should you communicate
with the general assembly upon, the
subject matter of your letter. be kind
enough to incorporate COPY. OF your
letter to me and my reply thereto.
am.
rs. Very respectfully.
(Signed) THOS. H. PEOPLES.