Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-09-07
The Andersonville post-ofice.

MR. EDITOR: One of the most contempti-
BILE instances of distinguished ittleness that
has yet come to light, has just TRANSFERRED in
change of post-masters at Andersonvllle,
and nobody but set of httle-souled ham
kari clan of men would lend themselves to
such infinitely small littleness. To duly ap-
preciate matters, it is necessary to say that
the postmaster and assistants, post-ofice
and conveniences at Andersonville, were as
near model in giving general satisfaction as
you will find any where.
The post-office, erstwhile Wallaces' Y
Roads, has been here, perhaps, IS or 40 years,
and has moved on its even tenor, growing
with the country, increasing in SEW vice and
efficiency, until it has become an Office of
more than ordinary importance, and this
importance, it seems, is its very pitfall In
all It's history, and the vicissitudes of poll
ties, there has never before been removal,
for political reasons, though at times con-
Quoted by pos master who was hostile to
''the powers that be-" But it seems that
these powers were never so little-souied,
so Indifferent to common responsibility, or
so elated at being boss, as to condescend to
turn out tried and acceptable officer to
crafty personal spleen, and SO initiate
against the public good and convenience, in
such an exchange as has been made here
The facts are: Mr.. Henry Clear, jr., is, or
was our postmaster. He has always
been a strenuous Republican, bearing
upon his body an unerring test of loyalty
"a rebel bullet, which gives him pension
and disables him. His administration of
Il
and, for wonder, | have heard no COM
plant but what he has been competent and
| obiiging, and, at his personal expense, has
| fitted up an Office that has no superior for
neatness and convenience anywhere. But
| now comes a new test of loyalty. Mr.. Clear
| happens to prefer some one else for Repre-
sentative in Congress to Houk, and is I'M
mercifully bounced. AS to the profit in
office, no one will complain; but the change
| in postmasters and location is distasteful to
ninety nine hundredths of the people who
are benefited by the post-office.
And the new postmaster, what of him?
To show his political starding it may be
said that he was once candidate for clerk
of one of our courts, and in the whole
| county received II votes; and he has very
| extensive connection in the county. And
coming down to our late county convention
as
| ''pizened" Against the man I've nothing
personal to say. Competency is not test,
but congeniaiity to the Boss" in lea6;ng
traits, presume dictated the change.
The men who did the local engineering
are no distinguished credit to any party,
and if Judge Houk has fallen into the hands
of such counsellors, woe betide his fortunes.
| As political move it is not sagacious by
any ..means for the benefciaries at this
| post Office are largely Democrats, who would
| have, perhaps, voted as much for Houk as
for his competitor, not caring a continental
! one way or the other. But this is calculated
to stir them up, and Houk knows how hard
! they can vote All good citizens recognize
that if such a domineering policy is to be
| the rule, that our boosted liberties are but
myth; and Republicans especially recognize
| that Houk is not the man to pour healing
/ upon the disturbed waters of Republican
dissensions. Of course Mr.. Rule and his
| friends can turn such matters to good ac-
count. Our complaint however is because
| so important an interest is thus jeOpardized.
Yours MEoDE.
| September 5, 1882.