The Portland daily press., 1884-08-23
THE BRUNSWICK POST OFFICE
CASE
Congressman Reed Explains the Circuna-
stances Of the Appointment of the Pre-
sent Postmaster.

sent Postmaster.
There appeared as an advertisement in
Brunswick paper yesterday an address signed
by MARSHALL Gram, VIM. G. Barrows, Joshua
L. Chamberlain, Alonzo Day, John Avery,
Weston Thompson and John Furbush, as a
committee designated by "a respectable num-
Der of Republicans of Brunswick to prepare
an address to the voters OF the First District,
setting forth the reasons why they must with
hold their support from Mr.. Reed. The cause
is Mr.. Reeds action with regard to the ap-
pointment OF postmaster for that town, in
which action they profess to see "a broad dew
iation from the principles, traditions and
methods which are dear to us (them) as Re-
publicans". The address gives a statement of
the circumstances from their point of view,
and argues that Mr.. Reed in this case trans
crossed the principles of civil service veform,
and the spirit of the law which gives prefer
ence to disabled soldiers in filling official
places.
This document was shown to Mr. Reed by a
reporter Of the Advertiser who gave in that
paper yesterday afternoon the following re-
port of his interview with our Congressman
which is especially interesting as being the on.
~ public statement he has made about the
matter. 1t gives asstraight forward answer to
what the signers Of the address say is the
question in the case-''Did Mr. Reed act as a
sincere and upright Republican should?'-
and it seems to us an answer that should be
satisfactory to reasonable men:
A reporter for the Advertiser found Mr..
RAHd at his CffinA in the morning and Ind 10
attention to this document.
These are all respectable gentlemen" said
Mr.. Reed, "but possibly they do not under
stand my motives better than do myself
Have any Of them asked you for an expla-
nation?"
''No. I said in my address to the District
Convention, that held myself In readiness to
satisfy the people who were interested in the
Brunswick postoffice at least of my honesty of
purpose. That was nearly three months ago,
but no ono there has asked me a question
about the appointment from that day to this"
What are the facts in the case?"
The history OF this appointment begins a
little before the point whore these gentlemen
have chosen to begin. -Four years ago when
Postmaster Given died, his son fled a petition
with 387 signatures, and Wilbur f. Crawford
had petition with 175 names. Mr.. Hayes
was President, and was not consulted about
the appointment Mr.. Hayes wrote to General
Chamberlain for advice, and General Cham
OOAAnLhg hloOl d ncub d l6bJ6r lEOu
Marshal Cram, recommending neither of the
Candidates, but new man, Mr.. j. W. CraW-
ford. General Chamberlain did not directly
endorse Mr.. Grams candidate, but he endorsed
Cram, and so j. W. Crawford was appointed"
How much is the place WORTH"
Ten or twelve hundred dollars The ap-
pointment excited good deal of dissffection.
Petitions bearing the names of five or six
hundred Brunswick people had been thrown
into the waste basket, and man for whom
thnro mos mo Nafff Ito I,o1
pointed on the recommendation of single cit
izen. So the matter ran along until his term
expired, and was invited to advise about the
appointment of his successor"
Invited by whom?'
by the postmaster general, in the usual
form, and by the parties themselves, who sent
me their petitions. did not obtrude my ad-
vice. Ii was repaired OF me. and gave it ac-
cording to my best judgment. When the pc
ttlons arrived noticed that the incumbent
had the larger petition"
who was the other candidate?"
"Charles e. Townsend. l wrote to one of
the leading Republicans Hof Brunswick, gen.
tleman as well known as any of the signers of
this pronunciamento, and asked him how 1t
happened that Crawford had the larger petit
ton. He replied that probably Crawford had
been more active in securing names, but as
sured me that, SO far as he knew, there was no
preponderatiDg sentiment inifavor of CraW-
ford reappointment, and that in his iudg-
AnOAv 4OWArOAO WOulu NO LILO U6lt6E mAQ IOr
the place. When the time came for action,
carefully reviewed all the letters I had re-
ceived, and examiend the petitions. [ found
the names of Professor Young, DR..
n. 7. Palmer, Benjamin Greene, Mr.. Swift,
formerly county commissioner, and other emil
nent citizens. on aTawnsand's petition. 1
found the equally good names of General
Chamberlain, Marshall Cram, Judge Barrows
and Weston Thompson on Crawford's petit
ton. But had met General Chamberlain in
New York not long before, and he said moth
ing to me about the appointment. 1t did not
appear that he had the matter at heart very
much, though he headed the petition. Dr.
Packard wrote to me, that he "had been re-
quested" 10 send letter in behalf of Craw-
ford. Putting these things together, it seemed
to me that my friend was probably right in his
opinion that the numerical superiority of
Crawford's petition was the result of superior
activity, and not the expression of prevailing
popular opinion. | found. too, that many of
his Esignatures were the names of college
Students who were not citizens of Brunswick.
Then Mountiort post of the Grand Army was
pressed into his service. This post is composed
of the citizens of different towns in the
neighborhood; and furthermore, interference
in case like thisis contrary to the principles
OF the Grand Army, as I understand them,
and am member of that organization. Ali
these circumstances led me to believe
that Crawford's support was more ap-
parent than real; but L did not
my friends in Brunswick and was assured
that Townsend was really the man who ought
to be appointed. So at last, I advised the
Postmaster General to appoint Townsend, act
ing upon the information before me with the
best Judgment was able to bring to bear upon
it and with no purpose except to discharge q
public trust faithfully and honestly"
DO you now think you were mistaken"
Possibly, though l am by no means sure.
Townsend is a good postmaster, / know; the
best they have had in Brunswick for twenty
years. And it may be that If had recon-
mended Crawford there would have been Just
as much disaffection as there is now, and with
better reason. 1t is one Of the disadvantages
of a case like this, which must be decided
somehow, that the decision, whichever way it
goes, is sure to offend somebody. A certain al
lowance must be made for attorneys if, after
losing case, they wish to spend short inter-
val in cursing the judgeIt seems to me that my
Brunswick friends are, perhaps abusing their
privilege in that respect, but am preindiced.
Still, I made the decision, and must take the
consequences. do not wish to shirk the re-
sponsibility. I thought at the time that it was
right, and have seen no reason to change that
opinion"