The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-09
THE BROOKLYN PosToFFIcE.

How Boss Mclaughlin Surprised Mr.. Hen
dirk by Favoring His Appointment.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, May 8.-There is curious inward
ness concerning the appointment of Joseph G.
Hendrix as postmaster of Brooklyn. Fer ten
years he was Brooklyn reporter for the New
York Sun. Two years ago, when the noted re-
form Mayor and millionaire, young Seth Low,
was renominated for the Office. there was q feel.
ing among politicians that nothing could possibly
beat him. He had the regular Republican candi-
dacy and an Endorsement by considerable body
of Democrats and his administration had been
so honest and efficient that it seemed hopeless
form to put up anybody in opposition Under
these circumstances Hendrix accepted the hard
job. He was young, enthusiastic and personally
popular Brooklyn is in character an enor-
nous village, and he had made an
extensive social acquaintance, especially
in church and literary organizations.
He was an eloquent speaker, too. and during his
campaign he made half dozen addresses every
night in different places His policy was to keep
clear Of professional politicians. and 30 reach
voters from other than the usual methods. In
this he was nearly successful that Lows
former big majority was reduced to almost moth
ing. But he had done one impolitic thing that
cratic boss of Brooklyn, is noted for two quail
ties-honesty and revengefulness. Hendrix was
advised to consult with him during the canvass,
for the sake of conciliaring him, if not to act on
his advice, but he had resolved to run independ-
emily of the politicians, and declined to go near
the boss. Mclaughlin retaliated by using some
of the party machinery against him, thus losing
for him sufficient votes TO have elected him,
The struggle over the Brooklyn postmaster
ship was complicated. Henry Ward Beecher
had campaigned for President Cleveland. and
sacrificed not little of Plymouth Church friend
ship in so doing His immediate adherents let
Mr.. Cleveland know that. while Mr.. Beecher
had no candidate on whom his love was fixed, he
would be delighted by the appointment of a Re-
publican mugwump as recognition of him. On
the other hand, the Democrats strenuously
asked for the selection of an out and out Demo
crat dozen names were sent to Washington
with ali the pressure of powerful Endorsement
The President intimated that he was In guam
dary. He put off decision in the hope that
Secretary Manning, his closest adviser in New
York matters, might recover sufficiently to be
consulted: and att length. on the aayice
lin that he would be glad 10 get
bis views Mclaughlin Immediately surprised
Hendrix by inquiring if he would like to be post
master. Hendrix said yes. Then the boss
started for Washington. He had long before,
he says, repented Of defeating Hendrix. whose
wonderful canvass he had greatly admired, and
he told the President that no filter man could be
chosen. Now, Hendrix had written much and
bitterly against Beecher in the time of the Titon
scandal. and how would Beecher take his ap-
pointment? Hendrix was Sun man, too, and
the Sun had opposed Cleveland almost disas.
and the President has put Hendrix into the post
Office. "And if have done Hendrix as much
good as did harm, says the boss, II am salts
fed. II like to keep my accounts squared