Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-19
THE AUGUsrA AproINrMErT.
Dissatasfaction Expressed At Martens.
Action.

vast amount of secrecy has been used on
the Augusta post Office matter; trickery and
deception have been INDUCED in freely in
many quarters, and, at last, four month.
after the expiration of Joseph Manley's term.
An appointment has been made. The gentle
man appointed is Mr.. Lemuel A. Fowler He i.
orother-in-law of Holway, who, with z. G
Aiieh ana Col. Morton. went to Washington
secretly last Sunday evening. Las, JpIv
Col Morton received word from Wasbinoton
tnat the President expressed the opinion that
ne was satisfied that the Senate would not
conurm Morton, and he feared that if he an
pointed him it would have serious effect on
the confirmation of many other of his appoint
nen,s anu that he though the best way out
OF the case was for Morton to send in a nice
ietter OF Withdrawal, and that he would have
the letter published"-adding. tina, Col. Nor
ton shall lose nothing if he takes that cour,e
he said, understand me, do not saw I
snail not appoint him." To this message
Col. Morton returned answer. In the course
OF time the substance of the message became
known and many people regarded thi. as
conclusive that Mr.. Morton would not be an
pointed Several candidates were talked of
more or less as likely to be Mr.. Morton's
successor when the case was thrown open and
the opinion was universally expressed
that as the democrats of Augusta had
stood by Morton solidly for many months
solely on account of Blaine's antsgonism.
although very many had preferences for
others they had refused to express them in
order that the question between Blaine and
Morton should be fairly tested: that Col.
Morton would, when a conclusion was
reached. II It was against him, give the peo-
PIE chance to express their preferences
When 1t became known that Col Morton left
town secretly Sunday night-,aking a train
from another point than Augusta, and tina,
Mr.. Holway, after much lodging and Jump.
ing to avoid meeting any person who might
recognize him, boarded the Pullman train a,
Augusta the same night, it was at once said
that snap judgment was to be made, and
the movement was heartily condemned On all
sides. A movement was made to telegraph
the President protest against any ap.
pointment without consulting the wishes
of the citizens, but one of the oil lest,
ablest and staunchest democrats stated Mr.
Allen told him on no account should snap
judgment be made. Others came forward
and said Col. Morton had explicitly stated to
them that he would notify them promptly if
he was not to have the place, and those who
were interested said at once, that is all thai
is wanted; give the same fair chance that
Morton has had, and may the best man win
The appointment of Mr.. Fowler. therefore
while giving good satisfaction so far az Mr.
Fowler's personal character and democracy i.
concerned, has called forth very emphatic
condemnation of the three men who have en-.
gineered his appointment; but no one blamet
the President for settling the case, and in
fairness to Mr.. Fowler it should be said that
he emphatically denies any know ledge of the
intention of his brother-in-law and Col. Nor
ton to have him appointed.
Ii has leaked out tonight that the graa
secrecy used by Morton and Holway in leav
ing town was due to the fact that they had de
cided upon this snap judgment and secured
certain letters from members of the City
Committee or had taken measures to have
them forwarded to them in favor of Mr.
Fowler.
The candidate, while in poor health anC
burdened with years, is a gentleman whose
democracy none can question, and who will
so far ~ his health allows. do what he can t
organize the party in this city, but hard feel.
ings, engendered by this unfortunate move o
Messrs Allen, Hol way, and Morton will moi
wear away easily for awhile. Mr.. Fowler
himself, if he hal been an open candidate
would have received handsome support
Those who for months have sacrificed the
own interests to advance Col. Morton's cha n
ces are very angry that he should abuse theil
confidence and show such utter disregard o
their rights to have the same hearing that h,
has had. They say that the fact that thu
place has been kept open so long is solely hi
fault, and that if he was not willing to sup
port any of those gentlemen who during thu
last two months have been mentioned a
wishing to be his successor as an applican
for the place, he should at least have giveI
the citizens an opportunity to express thei
preferences.-Augusta dispatch to the Port
iand Argas.