The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-02
OFFENSIVE PARTISANS.
w. III. Barnum Visits Washington to Get a
DIanApPOinted Postmaster.
INew York sun special. !

At the request of certain member of Con-
gress from one of the NewsEngland States
Mr.. William II. Barnum consented to make
with him a call upon the First Assistant
Postmaster General, Mr.. Hay. The object of
the visit was to secure the appointment of
several long-trained Democrats as Postmas-
tiers in a number of POstoffices 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.. Barnum. ''has called
with me in reference to certain appointments
that come within your office. The district
is a close one Mr.. - is personally ac-
quainted with many of the best men in it,
and you probably would be glad to hear his
recommendations, 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
partisanship,' inquired the Congressman.
you should know what an offensive par
tizan is" Mr.. Hay replied.
Attending caucuses, conventions, serving
as Chairman of important committees would
be so regarded" suggested the Congressman.
"Undoubtediy."
''But the Postmaster at A. has done none
of these things.
SIS he Republican
"Nes-''
els he unfaithful in his duties?"
"No''
SIS he a bad MANI
mo, he's a mighty good fellow but he's a
Republican, and he expects.tO 60"
"If you will make written statement
that he is unfaithful, incompetent, or has
been an offensive partisan, | will remove
him.
iii be hanged if will. He's Repub-
hcan; that's enough, isn't ito
mo, il Is not enough"
"Does not the fact that man is a Repub-
lican constitute an offensive partisan?
asked Mr.. Barnum. "Must we make it a
personal matter. and accuse a man OF Grim
inality2
Il will not make change without some
charges"
Here Mr.. Barnum became somewhat 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.
the Postmaster General, "that we should
bring an indictment against an officeholdeT
before we can secure q change
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 a Re
publican, and therefore an offensive parti-
san" 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 advance
ment.
Every well. That will do, AR Barnum. .
When the accusation had been put in writ
ing 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 incum.
bent is not an offensive partisan, and the
man you desire appointed is an inoffensive
partisan, then | will turn the new Postmas
ter 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,
civil service reform 1t is, and was so well
assured OF it that did not offer single
other application. l made up my mind that
Congressman were a sort of to-be-tolerated
nuisance, and so I've come home. Well
there's going to be funny times. | believe
Congress sits next winter"