New-York tribune., 1878-02-19
GENERAL BUTLER UNHAPPY.
A MASSACHUSETTS POSTMASTER APPOINTED AND
CONFIRMED AGAINST His OPPosITIoN-TIE GEN
ERALS ACCOUNT OF TIE MATTER.


CONFIRMED AGAINST HIS oPPoSITIoN-TIE GEN
ERALS ACCOUNT OF TIE MATTER.
IBY TELE iRAPH the TIBUNEI
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1S.-General B. T. Bntier Is
not happy tonight. TIE Senate has to-day con-
firncd without division, the appointment of Mr..
Sargent 10 be postmaster at Methucn, Mass, in
spite of the very vigorous opposition of the General
The facts in the case have been brought out by Gen
cral Butler IN speech which he made to the Senate
Committee on Post Oiiccs and Post Roads, and
whici. he published this morning III The National
Republican.
About the 9Th or 9th Of December, General But
Ter says he received printed notice that vacancy
would soon occur in the post Office at Methuen, and
requesting that lie recommend suitable person for
the place. As he had one in view, he sent the
notice to "a gentleman III Methuen, and it was soon
after returned with a petition signed by about
twenty persons in favor of Boswell, and General
Butler forwarded the name to the Postmaster
General with a recommendation that he
lie appointed. Mr. Boswels name was sub
sequcnty sent TO the President. and by MIN
TO the Senate. After awhile General Butler began
to wonder why Mr.. Boswell was not confirmed,
and on inquiry learned that his name had been
withdrawn. The General says he then went to the
President to inquire into the matter, and was told
that Mr. Sargent lthe present incumbent presented
petitions slsDcu Dy ~ CltlItns oi MclHucH "ih
that he was supported AS a candidate for reappon-
ment by Republican Senator from Massachusetts,.
Thereupon General Butler told the President that
he was going home, aud would see if the people OF
Methuen wanted Sargent. To this he says the Pres
ident replied: "Yery well will hold the post
Office matter open until You return and sec
mep Daring his Christmas vacation General Bntler
met Mr. Boswell, and asked him if he was very much
in earnest about the post Office and II he could not
gel up larger petition than that presented by the
friends of Mr. Sargent. Mr. Boswell replied that he
could not; that Sargent had foreStalled him. and
got a majority of the best names IN town. Mr. BOs-
well also admitted that he not very much IN
earnest. IL then told HIM" said the General That
| thought the post Office belonged to a dis
abed soldier, and asked him If there was
in town one suitable and competent for the
place. go, yes" said Boswell "there Is such
man-Mr Ccggswel.' "Are you wiling asked the
General, "to withdraw in his favorp YES" is
he a good Republican, "Ycs, but he did not vote
for you. sir.' :That Is of no consequence" said
the General "he has right to vote for whom
he peases. have no quarrel with him on gthat
account. Does the soldier element want him I"
"Yesr replied Mr. Boswell "Do the business men
want him - eyes" "WIil you ask some of the
other leading Republicans OF the tnwn tO come and
see me- aud then see what sort OF IA petition tae
people of Mcthuen VIII send up for Mr. toggSWclli
After returning TO Washington. General BGtltr
SAYS lie received petition signed by 25o citizcns Of
Methuen in favor of COggswcll He called ~ the
White House but found the President bury ing Vic
tor Emanuel" and be could not be seen. He called
again next day, but the President was az a post
poucd Cabinet meeting, aud was again invisible On
the day following the General learned that tue
name of Sargent had been sent up from the Post
once Department 10y order of the President. and
had been forwarded TO- the Senate. lie then went To
the President and said You have sent IN
the name of Sargent without seeing me,
although have been here 80 many times" well
SAID the President was told that Your man Bo'-
well nad withdrawn" General Butler then urged
npon the President that disabled soldiers had by
law plior claims uDor these offices, and read the
s,aiuics which provide that "persOns h0norabiy
discharged from the military or naval service lf
reason of disability resulting from wounds or sick
ness incurred in the line OF duty shall be pre-
f,Ired for appointments to civil Offices, provided
they are found 10 posses thc business CdPdclty
necessary for The proper discharge OF tie dutics
of such Offices" Io then hed the President T. re-
fer the papers 10 tho senate, winch the lattor
promised 10 do. General lntlcr thlnk, It especially
inconsistent that "a Senator from MASSACHUSETTS "
(Senator tOar) has far fOrs1kcn his CIyl service
r, fOriu ideas 10 90 three times TO tie President
about = 900 pos, office lifty miles from his h0ne
and make special efforts for II against disabled
a. al