1
House of Commons, My deay O'Neill:- As you know and as every man in
the Law Library knows, I have never asked any Minister
for any paid appointment for myself or anyone else. I
long ago made a public promise that I would not do so,
and I cannot break it. In your case I regret very much
that I cannot act, for, in addition to the fact that you
are an old friend of mine, you are the very type of man
who ought to get such an office as that for which you are
now a candidate. By character, conduct, habits of
life, manners, education and ability, you are entirely
fitted for it, and I have no objection to your making it
known to the Government that such is my opinion. Yours sincerely, J.J. Clancy
C.P. O'Neill, Esq.,
Solicitor.
John Joseph Clancy (1847-1928) was a member of Parliament and an Irish nationalist.
An active member in the Irish Parliamentary Party, Clancy was seen as the leading
party figure upon the death of John Redmond in 1918.
Clancy is writing to C.P. O'Neill, a candidate for the position of Chief Crown Solicitor
which had become available on the death of Malachy J. Kelly. Clancy writes that he
has never asked for a paid appointment for himself 'or anyone else' and will not do
so now. He does, however, comment that O'Neill is suitable for the role.