The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-21
OFFENSIVE PARTISANS.
W. H. Barnum Visits Washington to Get @
Man Appointed Postmaster.

Man Appointed Postmaster.
New York sun
At the request of certain member of Con.
gress from one of the New England States, Mr..
VIM. Fl. Barnum consented to make with him
call upon the First Assistant postmaster general
Mr.. Hay. The object of the visit was to secure
the appointment of several long trained Demo
Gratis as postmasters in a number of the post
offices in the State of the congressman
Mr.. Hay received the chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee and the member of
Congress with the same courtesy and considera-
ton that he was accustomed to bestow upon
even the most humble citizen. The following
conversation took place:
MIR. -. who represents the - district
in Congress- said Mr.. Barnum. ''has called with
me In reference to certain appointments that
come within your Office. The district is close
one Mr. - is personally acquainted with
many or the best men in 1t, and you probably
would be glad to hear his recon Elendations, as
you must be entirely ignorant of the people
there"
No postmaster will be removed except for
offensive partisanship." said Mr.. Hay.
What, may l ask, constitutes offensive parti-
sanshipi' inquired the congressman
You should know what an offensive partisan
is, Mr. Hay replied.
Attending caucuses. conventions, serving
as chairman Of important committees would be
SO regardedP suggested the congressman
Undoubtedly"
''But the postmaster at A. has donc none Of
these things
us no Republican,"
"Yesn
us he unfaithful in his dutiesl"
NO
'Is he q bad MANI"
mo; he's mighty good fellow: but he's Re-
publican and he expects to co.
IF you will make written sta ement that he
is. unfaithful, incompetent or has been often
sive partisan | will remove him"
''I'll be hanged if will. He's Republican:
hot sob .ovFk
"NO; it is not enough"
docs not the fact that man is Republican
constitute an offensive partisan asked Mr..
Barnum; must we make it personal matter,
and accuse a man of criminalityW
Il will not make any change without charges"
Here Mr. Barnum became little annoyed.
eve will see sir, whether this man is not re-
moved, and the chairman of the national com
mittee and ressman sought Mr. Villas
"Is it nef " Mr. Barnum asked of the
Postmaste raj, that We should bring an
in6ictmen inst an offcehoder before we can
secure a cI>-ngeI"
eff you will put it in writing that the man is
an offensive partisan, | will remove him."
Il will put it in writing that he is Repub-
lcan, and therefore offensive PARTISAN" said
Mr., Barnum.
The Postmaster-general was of course,
anxious to meet the wishes of the man to whom
above all others be is indebted for his eXtraord
nary and sudden political advancement.
Very we'll. That will do, Mr. Barnum."
When the accusation had been put in writing,
Mr. Villas said to Mr.. Barnum: - -
Your man will be appointed, but if it should
turn out that we-you and I-have been de-
ceived. and that the present incumbent is not an
offensive partisan, and the man you desire to be
appointed is an offensive partisan, then | will
| turn the new postmaster out and put the old one
back again. Good morning"
''Tell me- said the congressman, who few
days ago told this story, that the new admins
tration isn't in love with Eaton's civil service
reform! 1t is; and l was so well assured of it
that did not offer single other application /
made up my mind that congressman were sort
of to be tolerated nuisance, and so I've come
home Well there's going to be funny times I
believe Congress sits next winter