The Washburn leader., 1916-11-03

case.
"Various disclosures as to Mr..
Bryan's s conduct in the State de-
partment were daily disgusting
people, when the publication Of
a letter from Senator James
Hamilton Lewis to Henry M.
Pindell of Peoria, in November,
l1913, outlined the conditions .un-
der which Mr.. Pindell, who had
been selected for the dignified'
and important post Of ambassa-
dor to Russia, was really going
to Petrogard.
"Rumors that there was
string to Mr.. Pindell's anpoint-
ment were denied by President
Wilson. And then, Senator Lew
SIS letter turned up. 1t was
most embarrassing to the Pres
ident. but how illuminating"
Senator Lewis's letter follows;
washington, ID. c., Sept. 5, 13.
"Hon. Henry M. Pimaell,
'"Peoria, III.
"Dear Pindell: | must ask
YOU to consider this letter as
extremely confidential and per
sonal. 1t is up to the admin
stration to appoint an ambassa-
dor to St. Petersburg, but 1T is
a. position which, if offered to
YOU, would not necessltate your
losing control of nor ASSOCIATION
with your paper.
"Now, the idea Of Secretary
Bryan is that if you would ac-
cept the place Of ambassador
to St. Petersburg, and all the
honor that goes with the ppsltlora
YOU could resign in a year-say
October l, 1914-and return to
your paper, before losing track
of Q your business affairs, and yet
have the great honor attached
to the place.
'"There will be no treaties to
adjudicate, and no political al
fairs to bother with, for the ad-
ministration will see to that for
a year, and you would not be
tied to St. Petersburg, but would
have trips to Berlin and Vienna
and the other capitals Of Europe,
and also Stockholm, and perhaps
Copenhagen, and all the attend
ant delights that 60 with sucn
trips.
"You would meet with the de-
ightful companionship Of the
English and other officers con-
nected with the various legations
at St. Petersburg, and would be
socially and officially treateG, us
nv let t+ers to, those abroad.
would serve you.
"I think you have a little
daughter. Think what it would
mean to her, all the remainder
Of her life, to say that her Ia
ther had been minister (sic) to
Russia, and of all the honor and
prestige. that will go with it 20
the third and fourth generations
""If you accept this position
for a. year, kindly wire me at
once. have the secretary on the
telephone and am writing this
letter after the most confidential
conference with him.
"No diplomatic matters will
be taken up during your service,
and you will have all the hon
ors Of having been ambassa dor to
Russia; but if you accept this
position, it must be with the
understanding that you will re-
sign on the first Of October, 1914
and then you will be able to
and no doubt glad to, RETURN to-
your interests in Peoria and, your
paper.
"sYou will not have to be at
the expence Of a permanent resi-
dence, as are other ambassadors,
and you will have in your family
forever the honor that must ac-
complish the holding OF such
position. And in doing this you
will please the President, and al
SO your good friend, Secretary
Bryan. ..
"Please consider this confiden-
tial in all it's parts, and answer,
too. Yours with best wishes,
j. Hamilton Lewis. ~
"Not a word about honest pub
lie service. Not a word about
faithful performance of public
lduties. Mott a. word about the.
responsibility of an 6ffice-holder
to the public that pays the bills.
It was to give Rindell and the
little Pindells a junket through
Europe, visiting the places Of in
terest. PinEell was to have a