Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-04-04

TEeS YORK, Apru . Mr. Pearson. ths
postrr aster at New York. who 10 retained In
bis position which has been the subject OF
1t much press discussion, renders his portrait
uf interest Mr. Pearson was New York
boy, educated In its public schools He IL
cow 10 his forty third year, having spent
twenty tive years Of his life in the postoffis
He began in 1850 a. . stamper, and rosa
through seven intervening positions to that
Of postmaster. in 1877, prior to which he had
for eight years been assistant postmaster
His opportunities for knowing It thoroughly
have been exceptional, and be has been con.
etantly on the alert 10 improve the service
Ths importance OF bis position may b.
Judged from the fact that his Office employed
regularly during 1884 i.7s0 persons, whose
aggregated pay for the year was u, 5l1 ,025,
the total receipts Of the Office during the
same time being a, $50, TBS. 40.
1t was an open secret that President Glove.
lands original determination was to retain
Mr.. Pearson in position, but q great cry
went up from the hungry from Maine to
Georgia and from Cape Cod to the golden
shores of California, and the party pressure
became so tremendous that within the past
ten days the Pearson stock fell rapidly, while
that of Mr.. Bissell, of Buffalo, President
Cleveland's partner, correspondiDgly rose
Before the presidents decision was made
very decided effort was in progress by Pear
sons friends to utilize the mercantile senti-
ment in his behalf and tremendous petitions,
voluminously signed, were presented to the
president, urging his retention in the New
York postoffIce Other names were talked
of, among them those of Marshal Mcmahon,
Horatio G. King, ex-senator Koch, Alder
man Sanger and Algernon 8. Sullivan.
Becoming annoyed and perplexed and en-
barrassed by the false position which Pear
sons friends seemed likely to put the admin
istration into, the president took the matter
into his own hands, and the final decision has
come at last. sr
A gentleman very near to the president,
undoubtedly speaking from actual knowl-
edge, reports that the re-appointment Of Mr.
Pearson was made a patient examination Of
all facts connected with the charges against
him and his answer to the same, which was
submitted and read by the president. The
appointment, therefore, may he considered
complete vindication of the postmaster. It
is further seated that Mr.. Pearson's
reappointment win constitute notable ex-
ception to the course which the president
may be expected to pursue. The New York
postofiice is the large st and most important
in the country, of interest to all people, and
especially the vast business enterprises cen
tered in the metropolis It is complete
illustration Of the successful application OF
civil service reform principles to an immense
governmental establishment. This condition
has been brought about largely by the intel
ligent effort of Mr.. Pearson, and he
is thus identified In the closest manner
with this example Of success and reform. To
retain him insures faith and confidence in
the movement, which would receive shock
from his removal His retention was earnestly
requested by q large number of bust.
ness men, both democrats and repub
Leans, and generally by independ-
eIrs republicans. This act must not
be regarded as indicating in other cases
those opposed to the party Of the president
either to be appointed or retained after the
expiration of their terms. In answer to the
sug gestion that the reappointment OF Mr..
Pearson might cause dissatisfaction in the
ranks, the president is represented as sayiag
The democratic party is neither hypocrit
zeal, unpatriotic or ungratefuL"