The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-09-03
OFFENSIVE PARTISANS.
w. HI. Barnum Visits Washing
ton to See About ents.

At the request ola certain men,
ber of Congress from one of the
New England States. Mr.. VIM. H.
Barnum consented to make with him
a call-upon the First Assistant Post :
master-General, Mr.. Hay. The OBJ
ject of the visit was to secure the
appointment of several longtrained
Democrats as Postmasters in a mum
Der of the Post Offices in the State of
the Congressman.
Mr.. Hay received the Chairman of
the Democratic National Committee
and the member of Congress with
the same courtesy and consideration
that he was accustomed to bestow
upon even the most humble citizen.
The following conversation took
place:
"Mr.--,who represents the
district in Congress-" said Mr.. Bar-
mum, sshas called with me In refer
ence to certain appointments that
come within your Office. The dis.
trict is a close one. Mr.. is per.
sonally acquainted with m any of the
best men in it, and you probably
would be glad to hear his recommen-
dations, as you must be entirely ig-
norant of the people there
"No Postmaster will be removed
except for offenseive partisanship,"
said Mr.. Hay.
"What, may ask, constitutes Of
fensive partisanship?' inquired the
Congressman.
"You should know what an often
sive partizan is" Mr.. Hay replied.
"Attending caucuses, conventions
serving as chairman of important
committees would be so regarded"
su ygcsted the Congressman,
"Undoubtedly."
"But the Postmaster at A. has
done none of these things.''
els he Republican,"
Yes
IFS he unfaithful in his duties?''
No"
ssIs he bad man?"
mo, he's mighty good fellow
but he's a Republican, and he ex-
poets to co."
elf you will make written state
ment that be is unfaithful, incompe-
tent, or has been an offensive parti
san I will remove him.
.'I'll be hanged if will. He's q
Republican; that's enough, isn't it?''
"No; it is not enough
| docs not the fact that man is
a Republican constitute an offensive
partisan" asked Mr.. Barnum "must
we make it personal matter, and
accuse a man of criminality?"
II will not make any change
without charges"
Here Mr.. Barnum became a little
annoyed.
"We will see, sir. whether this
man is not removed" and the Chair
man of the National Committee and
the Congressman sought Mr.. Villas.
"Is it necessary" Mr.. Barnum
asked of the Postmaster General.
''that we should bring an Indictment
against on officeholder before we
can secure a changer"
eff you will put it in writing that
the man is an offensive partisan. I
will remove him."
Il will put it in writing that he is
Republican, and therefore an often
sive partisan" said Mr.. Barnum.
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 advancement.
every well. 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
il it should turn out that we-you
and I-have been deceived. and
that the present incumbent is not an
offensive partisan, and the man you
desire to be appointed is an often
sive 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 administration isn't in
love with Eaton's civil service reform!
It is and I was so we'll assured of it
ShatI did not offer single other ap'
plication. made up my mind that
Congressman were SOFT of to-be'
to Grated nuisance. and so Eve come
home. Well. there's going to be
funny times. I believe Congress
sits next winter. Sun.