The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-25

Reception of the News of the Nomination
of MIR. BARKER for Postmaster-What
Was said ON the street-skctch of the
New Postmaster

Was said ON the Street Sketch os sha
New Postmaster.
The special from Washington to the PRESS.
yesterday afternoon, announcing the nomina-
tson OF CLARK ii. Barker by the President for
postmaster at Portland, was promptly bn1let-
ined in the counting-room window where II
was read BY all passers. Coming as it did in
the middle OF the afternoon il was mot
generally known in the city until after busi-
ness hours but as far as the news spread it be-
came the general topic of conversation. IT
was received with evident pleasure bv all
these of our business men whom our reporter
saw, and this without other than feelings of
kindness towards the disappointed candidates.
Those who have always expressed them
selves in favor of the reappointmeut of judge
Goddard, as far as talked with. had not the
least doubt but that Mr.. Barker would mako
an excellent postmaster. He has push. dash
and energy said several, and is a capital bust
ness man. He will run the office in manner,
we have no DOUBT, that will make it financially
profitable to the government and inspire the
confidence esteem and good will Of ali his
employees, as we'll as our citizens at large.
Others said that they had always favored
Judge Goddard because SO far as their expert
ence went they thought he had administered
the office in way to facilitate their TRANSACT
ton OF business through it, The money order
question to them appeared to be an open oues-
tion,nor did they know about the matter touch
ing the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the
department with Judge Goddard.
Another class, while they had no feeling
against the Judge, said they thought a man
should be satisfied with three terms of good
Office and give another smart man a chance.
Kindly words were spoken for Mr.. Gerristp by
those who all along had the belief that in this
contest that gentleman would be successful.
Mr.. Clark Barker, who has been nominated
BY the President, for Postmast er Of Portland.
was born in Hiram, Oxford county, In the year
1859. lie attended the public schools and local
academy until he was fifteen years of age,
when he went to the Argentine Republic in
South America and began active business life
in that country, building up in oou SO of time
large business in stock raising. In 1868 he
returned to this country, temporarily, and dur
ing bis vacation married Miss Rhodes of Ohio.
daughter of Major D. W. Rhodes, who is now
an officer Of the Post Office Department in
Washington. Soon after his return TO South
America he sold his cattle business to ex-Goy.
John w. Dana. of this State, and his son. and
removing to Rosario, in the State of Santa Fe.
opened trading house for dealing in the pro-
ducts OF the country. Here he began the inn
porsation of American products and manufsc-
lures. His wife died during cholera epidem-
ic, in 1867, and the next year he disposed of
his business there and returned to his native
land. Coming TO Portland he became a mem
bsr of the firm of George w. True & Co. en-
gagged in the grain business Although he has
always taken lively interest in politics he has
never held public Office In 1875 and 1876 he
was member of the city Republican commit-
tee, and in the campaign of 1876 treasurer of
the committee. In-1Sz5 Ia married tA1s eidest
daughter of Frederick Robbie, now Governor of
the State. Mr.. Barker's sister is the wife of
Hon. Samuel e. Spring. Presuming that he
will be confirmed, Portland's new Postmaster
will be man Of thorough- business training.
OF recognized ability and enterprise, possessing
In an eminent degree the confidence and re-
spect OF his fellow citizens.
Mr.. Barker received many callers last even
ing despite the weather, who rendered their
congratulations, while many others ayailed
themselves of the telephone for the same pur-
pose.