Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-22
OFFENSIVE PARrIsANs.
w. III. Barnum Visits Washington to Get
a Man Appointed Postmaster.
From tAe Neio York Sua.


From The Neio York Sun.
At the request of certain member of
Congress from one of the New England
States, Mr.. William H, 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-tralned Dem
ocrats as Postmasters in a number OF the
post offices in the State OF the Congress
man.
Mr.. Hay received the Chairman of the
Democratic National Committee and the
member OF Congress with the same cour-
tesy and consideration that he was accus-
toned to bestow upon even the most
humble citizen. The following converse
ton took place:
"Mr. -, who represents the - dis
trict in Congress-" said Mr.. Barnum.
"has called with me in reference to GER
tain appointments that come within your
office. The district is a close one. MIR.
- is personally acquainted with
many of the best men in it, and you prob
ably would be glad to hear his recommend
ations, as YOU must be entirely ignorant
OF the people there"
mo Postmaster will be removed except
for offensive partisanship," said Mr.. Hay.
"What, may ask, constitutes offensive
partisanshIp?" inquired the Congress
man.
"Your should know what an offensive
partisan is," Mr.. Hay replied.
Attending caucuses, conventions,
serving as chairman of important com
mittees would be so regardedr' sug-
gested the Congressman.
"UndOubtedly.'
''But the Postmaster at A. has done
none of these things"
lis he Republican,
eyes"
els he unfaithful in his dutiesp
ono"
els he bad mau~
mo, he's mighty good fellow; but he's
a Republican, and he expects to gO.''
"If you will make a written statement
that he is unfaithful, incompetent, or has
been an offensive partisan, / will remove
him."
'PH be hanged if 1 will. He's a Re-
publican; that's enough isn't itr'
ono; 1t is not enough"
''Does not the fact that a man is a Re-
publican constitute an offensive parti-
san" asked Mr.. Barnum; ''must we make
it a personal matter, and accuse a man OF
criminalityT
81 will not make any change without
charges"
Here Mr.. Barnum became little an
noyed.
1--WE will see, sir, whether. this man is
not removed" and the Chairman OF the
National Committee and Congressman
sought Mr.. Villas.
''Is it necessary" MIR. Barnum asked
OF the Postmaster General, chat we
should bring an Indictment against an Of
ficeholder before we can secure changer
''If you will put 1T in writing that the
man is an offensive partisan, | will re-
move him."
81 will put it in writing that he is Re-
publican, and therefore an offensive par
tisan," said Mr.. Bsrnum.
The Postmaster General was, of course,
anxious TO meet the wishes of the man TO
whom above all others he Is indebted for
his extraordinary and sudden political
every well. That will do, Mr.. Bar
num-"
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 have
been deceived, and that the present in
cumbent is not an offensive partisan, and
the man you desire to be appointed is an
inofensive partisan, then / VIII turn 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, chat the
new administration isn't in love with
Eaton's civil service reform! 1t is; and
was so well assured of 1t that did not Of
fer single other application. made up
my mind that Congressman were a sort
of tO-be-tolerated nuisance, and so PVe
come home. Well, there's going to be
funny tunes. l believe Congress sits next
Wintero