The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1921-06-03
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER.

Exclusive to the Pioneer Expressly
In a recent issue Of this letter it
was stated that the resignation of
M. A. Hildreth as United States
District Attorney had been asked by
the Attorney Generals Office. Mr..
Hildreth has now denied this allega-
ton. Since the facts in the case
were given out without solicitation
at the office of Attorney General
Dougherty by the secretary to the
Attorney General himself one might
be led to believe that for some rea-
son or other the request from Wash
ington was not received by Mr.. Hill
dreth. Yet the letter from the At
torney- Generals office was answer
ed by Mr.. Hildreth who therein pro-
ceeded to explain just why the time
for his resignation was inopportune.
In this letter, according to the
voluntary information given by the
secretary to the Attorney General,
Mr.. Hildreth stated that he saw no
reason for his being relieved from
office at this time: that he had not
made political speeches since as
suming Office, nor been a party to
partisan politics; and that the busi-
ness in the Office of the North Da-
kota district made 1T matter of
public interest that he be retained in
pffice. All of this in effect was re-
geated at the Office of the Attorney
General Of the United States.
Further, it was stated, Mr.. Hill
ireth requested a statement as to
The grounds for the resignation re-
quest. To which the Attorney Cen
erals office replied that the request
was based upon information placed
against the District Attorney for
North Dakota during the incumben-
cy of Attorney General Palmer, and
which included complaints concern
ing Mr.. Hildreth's conduct of office
from persons in the state.
All of which furnishes interesting
food for reflection. The disinterest-
ed observer might be led to one of at
least two conclusions. That some
one in the Office of the Attorney Cen
eral of the United States is subject
to weird hallucinations; or that, per-
haps, the North Dakota Attorney
himself has forgotten the incidental
letters ina regard to his resignation
for the very important duties of
state that seem to so engross his
attention.
Whether the matter will be allow
ed to run along now for the remain
ing year or so of Mr.. Hildreth's term
Of office, or whether pressure will be
brought to bear to air the matter
more thoroughly remains of course
a matter of speculation. It is un-
derstood that Mr.. Hildreth has sta
ted that he has received assurances
from the North Dakota Senators
that he has not been asked to re-
sign. And he may be right. Which
leaves merely the matter of one or
two letters to be explained.
In the meantime, the present in
cumbent to the contrary notwith-
standing, some people seem to have
the idea that the office Of United
States District Attorney is soon to
be vacated. Which naturally leads
to the matter of his succession.
Friends in North Dakota are said to
be advancing the names of several
potential candidates. One of these
is Senator Mcbride of Dickinson,
well-known legislator and lawyer
from the western section of the
state. Theodore Elton of Grand
Forks is also mentioned. If the
matter Of the new Federal Judge is
settled soon that will probably re-
lease the names of several others
who may be put forward. It will be
recalled that former Attorney Cen
eral Andrew Miller Of Bismarck,
now considered by many as the lea
ding contender for the Federal Judge
ship, was once mentioned in this
connection. And Francis Murphy Of
Minot, las also figured in specula-
ton regarding both jobs. Only to
name a few Of the men favored by
North Dakota friends.
This brings us to the matter Of
the judgeship which is still holding
fire, the bill not having yet passed
the House. This will come however
when the bill comes up in the repu-
lar order for it is not likely to be
seriously opposed. As far as the