Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-10
OFFENSIvE pAR.ISaNs.
w. II. Barnum visits Washington to Get
Man Appointed Postmaster.
Ma s,,,

w. II. Barnum visits Washington to Get a
Man Appointed P"s'm sster.
New York sun.
At the request OF a certain member, of con-
gress from one OF the New England astes,
Mr.. William II. 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 loug-traintd democrats as postmaster
in number Of postUtlices In the state OF the
congressman.
Mr.. Hay received the chairman of the dem
ocratic n ,tional committee and the m. .mber OF
congress with the same courtesy and consid-
eralion that he WAS accustomed to bestow
upon even the most humble citizen. The
following conversation took place.
"Mr. -, who represents the dis
trict in congress" said Mr. Barnum, "has
called upon me in reference to certain ap-
polntments that come within your ofice. The
district is a close one. Mr.. - is person.
ally acquainted with many OF the beet men
in it, and you would probably be glad to hear
his recommendations as you must be entirely
ignorant of the people there"
"No postmssters will be removed except for
offensive psrtisanship.' said Mr.. Hay.
What may | ask, constitutes offensive
psrtissnship2' inquired the Congressman.
"iou should know what offensive PARTISAN
ship is" Mr.. Hay replied.
"Attending csucuse1, conventions, serving
as chairman of important committees would
be so regarded ?" suggested the congressman.
"Cndoubedy."
"But the postmaster at A. has done none of
these things"
ais he II republican,"
"Yes."
"ls he unfaithful in his duties?"
"No."
ais he bad mani"
"No, he's mighty good fellow; but he's a
republican, and he expects to CO.
"lf you will make written statement
that he is un'aithtul, incompetent, or has
been au offensive partisan will remove him"
81 II be hanged if | will. Hes q republi-
cad; that's enough, isn't it2'
"No; il is not enough"
"Dyes not the fact tAat man is a repubi-
can constitute an offensive partisan" asked
Dir. Barnum; "must we make il personal
matter, and accuse a man OF crlmiuality ?"
al will not make any change without
charges"
Here Mr.. Bsrnum becauc little ANNOYED.
1--WE will see, sir, whether this man is not re-
moved and the chairman of the national
committee and the congressman sought Mr..
Villas.
"ls it necessary" Mr.. Barnum asked Of the
postmaster general, "that we should bring An
indictment against an otticeholder before we
can secure change
"lt you will put it in writing that the man
is an offensive partisan, | will remove him"
81 will put il iu writing that he is a repub-
llcan, aud therefore an offensive partisan"
said Mr. Bsfuum.
The p s.maser general WAS, OF course
anxious to meet the wishes OF the man to
whom above all others he is indebted to his
extraordinary and sudden political advance
meut.
VERY well. That will do, Mr.. Barnum."
When the accusation had been put in writ
ing, Mr.. Villas said to Mr. Bsrnum -
Your man will be appointed, but if 1t
should turn out that we-you and have
been deceived, and that the present ncum-
bent IS not an offensive partisan, then | will
'drn the new postmaster out and put the old
one back again. Good morning"
Tell me, said the congressman, who a
few days ago told this story, "that the new
administration isn't in love with Eaton's civil
service reform 1t is; and WAS so well as
sured OF it that did not offer single other
application. ! made up my mind that con-
gressmen were sort Of to-be tolerated nuis-
ance, and so I've come home. Well, there's
going to be funny times. believe congress
sits next winter"