Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-22
NOT READY FOR CHANGE
GEN. McLAWs UNPREPARED TO
DELIVER UP HIS OFFICE.

Col. Wilson with His Deputy and Clerks
Walks in TO Assume ControI-Why
Gen. McLaws was Not Ready-The
Change to Take Pace This 5 fternOon.
The post Office officials and clerks in
the money order and registry depart
ments were the witnesses of little scene
last night that the outside public and
very few Of the employees of the other de-
partments knew anything about. A few
minutes after O'Clock Col. A. n. Wilson,
armed with his commission as Postmaster
and accompanied by his deputy and
two clerks, climbed up the steps to the
post office building. 1t was after Office
hours and the money order, registry and
stamp departments were closed. The
clerks inside were busy balancing the
days cash and winding up the business
of the week.
1t was understood that Col. Wilson
would take charge of the office at 6
O'Clock, and a few spectators gathered to
see how it was done. After rap
ping on the doors for some
time without receiving a response.
one of the clerks was sent tOsee if the
entrance to the mailing and delivery de-
partments on the lower floor was open.
He returned in a few minutes saving that
il was. Going around the building Col.
Wilson walked in through the mailing
room and upstairs to the money order
department. Gen. McLaws was busy at
his desk when Col. Wilson stepped up
nOunced that he was ready to assume con-
troll Of the office.
ut is wholly impracticable for me to
turn over the office Tonight" was the
reply.
But this is the time.agreed upon" said
Col. Wilson.
''No, sir; it is not" replied the General.
Upon the receipt of his commission on
Friday morning Col. Wilson notified Gen.
McLaws that he was ready to take charge
of the office, and asked him to fix a time
as early as possible when the transfer
could be made. Gen McLaws sent word
back that be would be ready at 6
O'Clock last night. Col. Wilson made
his arrangements to assume control at
that time. Afterwards, finding that he
could not conveniently turn over the Office
until after the closing of business, Gen.
McLaws announced that he would not be
ready to deliver up the office until to-day.
Col. Wilson objected to this on the ground
that Sunday was not the proper day for the
transaction of business that could be
done as well on another day. Gen. Me-
Laws then telegraphed the Post Office
Department in regard to the matter, and
dispatch was received yesterday saying
that there could be no objection to the
change taking place on Sunday so far as
the department was concerned. He nOt-
fed Col. Wilson of the opinion of the
Postmaster General, but having ar
ranged to take charge Of the
office last night the latter
was not disposed to delay matters, and
with his deputy and clerks was on hand
according to the first agreement,
Col. Wilson afterward proposed to
take charge Of the office on Monday morn
ing and receipt for the amount on hand
at that time, giving his predecessor an
opportunity to close up his affairs. 1t
Was finally arranged that the transfer
should take place at 3 O'Clock this after
noon.
The changes in the Office will
be the same as announced in
the News last week. D. b. Hull viii
succeed John McLaws as Deputy Post
master; P. A. Waring will be made
Money Order Clerk, to succeed James W.
Burke. John f. Rowland, the present
Stamp Clerk, will be promoted to
the Registry Department, and
John A. G0ette, formerly in the revenue
office viii be stamp clerk and assistant
IN the money order department. Mr..
Rowland Will be the only one retained up
stairs. In the mailing and delivery de-
partment there will be no changes
to-day. William Coolidge Will re-
main in charge of the carriers
delivery, and VIM, Cantwell chief Of the
mailing department. Mr.. Cantweil will,
however, be succeeded at an early day by
Charles Greene, at present assistant
clerk. There will be no change in the
carriers at present. Tomorrow
Chas. l.. DeLamOtta viii be made general
delivery clerk, and Edward Robinson Will
succeed George f. Tyson as janitOr.
A number Of other changes are likely
II be made, but just what they are Col.
Wilson is not yet prepared to say.