Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-27
MORRIS DENIES
PENROSE DICKER
Appointment of T. Henry
Walnut by u. S. Attorney
Not a Deal"
NOMINEE WELL FITTED
Former Democratic State Chair
man Declares for High
Ideals

Denial he had entered into political bar
gaining With United states Senator Penrose
IN advocating the appointment Of T. Henry
Walnut as temporary assistant 20 United
States Attorney Kane. was made in a state
fnent Issued this afternoon by ROLAND s.
Morris, former Democratic state Commit
tee chairman.
Mr. Morriss statement Is in reply 10
accusations made by Henry H. Meacott
The statement follows:
II have read the letter Of Henry H. wes-
colt. Esq, published in this mornings pa
pers in which he criticizes my advocacy
Of the recent appointment Of T. Henry
Walnut as temporary assistant to Federal
District Attorney Kane.
II wish TO deny emphatically that this
appointment was advocated by me for the
purpose Of effecting q political bargain Of
any sort or description with either Senator
Penrose or any other Republican.
The consistent opposition NJ NJ walr"'
10 Senator Penrose for many years past
would Of itself set the stamp Of falgity on
such a suggestion. have always opposed
and shall continue TO oppose any deals or
bargains with any Republican faction.
MY advocacy Of Mr. Walnut was based
upon my opinion Of hts extreme fitness for
the Office to which he has just been ap-
pointed by reason Of the fact that he has
always stood for ideals and decency In
politics. both In the city and State, that he
represents a strong Independent and nom
partisan element In our community, and
because his knowledge Of the election laws
would. in my judgment, be Of the utmost
value TO the Government in the Admnistra-
ton Of the Federal District Attorneys Of
ice at this critical time,
1T may be that the appointment of an
Independent to a political office is a cause
Of irritation 20 certain old-lne Democrats
who may be equally or better qualified to
MI this Office themselves, but II so their
disappointment Is only an unavoidable in
cdent in filling a public Office I will re.
peat again what | said 70 Mr., Wegcott
oraly--and that Is to appoint a man hav-
ing Mr.. walnut's qualifications to meet the
peculiar needs Of our present situation and
At the same time recognize the ndependen,
element in our community is good practical
politics in harmony with the generous
policy Of the President in recent appoint
ments. as well as the fulhllment of our
obligation 10 the Government and 10 the
public"
The accusations OF Mr. wescott were
made in an open letter. The communica-
tion was sent 10 Mr.. Morris. Vance Nc
Cormcik leader in Philadelphia, who is mem
toned 20 succeed the late George w Guth-
rie as Ambassador TO Japan
In his letter Mr.. wescott clearly indi-
Gated that he thought the Walnut appoint
ment was the first step in the formation of
combination Of Senator Penrose ard his
friends, on the ,one hand, and Of Palmer
leaders, on the other, TO make a sweeping
fight against the Ware domination under
the Smith administration. Mr. wescott de-
nounced such a movement as traitorous TO
the principles of reorganized Democracy.
Mr.. Wescott Is a son Of Attorney General
wescott, Of New Jersey, who. as a delegate
20 the 1912 Democratic national conven-
tion at Baltimore, made the speech which
placed Woodrow Wilson in nomination for
the presidency for the hrst time
Mr. Walnut as a Progressive Republican
recently was appointed To the Office Of as
sistant by Francis Fisher Kane, United
States District Attorney Mr.. Kane, like
Mr., Morris, is Democratic leader. :, Mr.,
Morris last night said he had no comment
70 make oil the Wescott letter. His friends
pointed out, however. that Mr. walnutis a
Progressive and a political opponent Of
Senator Penrose
POINTS TO ROOT APPOINTMENT
Mr.. Kane's views were that this was not
the time TO inject job-huntng or partisan
or tactional politics In the grave situation
confronting the country. He pointed TO
President Wilson's appointment of Elihu
Root as head Of the American mission to
Russia as an example OF the way things
should be done in pines like these.
Mr. Wescott's letter TO Mr. Morris marks
big step forward In the development of the
years municipal campaign.