The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-01-14
Attorney-General Resigns Be
cause of "Pecuniary Re-
spOnsibilities."
WILL RETIRE ON MARCH 4
His Letter of Resignation is
Dated January 9 and Presi-
dent Wilson Cabled Accept
ance Next Day.

Washington. Jan. 13.-Thomas
Watt Gregory. attorney general of
the United States since 1914. has re-
signed because Of "pecuniary respon-
sibilities" and will return to the
practice of law. President Wilson
has agreed to his resignation next
March A.
Mr.. Gregory's letter Of resignation
dated January 9, and the Pres-
dents reply. cabled from Paris, the
next day, were made public at the
White House. The attorney gener-
ais letter discloses that he had long
considered retiring from office and
had discussed the matter with the
President before Mr.. Wilson went
abroad.
Mr.. Gregory's successor has no
yet been appointed and there has
been no official intimation as to
whom he will be. In speculation the
names of Frank l.. Polk. counsellor
OF the state department. and acting
secretary while Mr.. Lansing is in En-
rope, and Senator James Hamilto 1
Lewis, of Illinois were mentioned.
Mr.. Gregory's letter OF resignation
follows:
Dear Mr.. President:
I'm accordance with the purpose
expressed in our conversation JUS
before you went abroad, tender my
resignation as attorney general.
"It has been not quite six years
since I became connected with your
administration, and more than four
years ago. a few days after war was
declared by the European nations. I
became a member of the cabinet 1t
can be fairly said that during no
other six years in the history of our
country have so many great prob
lens been presented and solved. The
reflection that at such a time I have
been permitted to stand by your side
and assist in a modest way in deal
ing with those national and interna-
tional issues is now. and will always
be. my greatest source of pride.
'No man ever served a leader who
was more uniformly considerate,
more kindly helpful and more gem
erously appreciative. No subordir-
ate was ever more deeply gratef |
for the numberless friendly word
and acts OF his superior
"Pecuniary responsibilities OF a
substantialonature rest upon me and
my private affairs have long demand
ed attention. During the continuance
of actual warfare. / did not feel
liberty 20 weigh these personal COR
siderations in the balance against the
public duties with which / was
charged. BY March 4 of the present
year. the department Of Justice will
have substantially brought its war
activities to close and be working
under normal conditions. there
fore ask that this resignation take
effect on that date.
Faithfully yours
ct. w. Gregory"
The Presidents reply said:
my Dear Attorney General:
1T is with profound reluctance
and regret that I accept your resig-
nation. / do so only because you
have convinced me that 1t is neces-
sary In your own interest for you to
retire. There has been no one with
whom | have been associated in
Washington whom ! have learned
more to trust nor to whose c6unsels
I have attached more value and inn
portance. Your administration of
your office has been singularly able
and singularly conscientious and
watchful OF the public interest, and
feel that ii is a very serious loss
irdeed TO the nation that you should
find yourself obliged to withdraw
from public life.
MY best wishes not only. but mr.
affectionate friendship will follow
you into retirement. and I hope with
IL my heart that In some way and
at some time / shall again have the
privilege and benefit of being asso
ciated with you.
Cordially and faithfully YOURS.
Woodrow Wilson"