The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-11-17
To the Democratic Voters Of
Montpelier.

Since 1872, when became a resident of
this place, have endeavored to be con-
sistent democrat and in my dealings with
my fellow men and habits and daily walk
in life to secure and retain their good will
and respect. For number of years by your
votes | was the Washington county men,
Der of the district committee; in 1880 a
member of the Hancock electoral ticket re-
ceiving the highest vote of any person upon
that ticket; in 1889 as The democratic can
didate for Judge acknowledgement in legs-
lature consisting of about forty democrats
/ received some sixty votes, running that
much ahead of the party strength. AT the
state convention in 1884 | was elected
unanimously as a delegate at large to the
national convention and was selected
one of the vice-presidents of the conven-
tion. At the convention | labored Loyalty
for the nomination of Cleveland and Hen
bricks and did all in my power to see that
ticket elected and inaugurated.
To make a long story short, after having
spent hundreds of dollars in the service of
the party, | sold out my business at a great
sacrifice by the direction of Hiram Atkins,
he promising that | should be appointed
postmaster October 1st, 1885, and stating
that Mr. Wing had agreed with him to re-
sign. | waited quietly, confidently expect
ing him to deliver the goods. October 1st
came and nothing was done and Just before
the opening of congress was told that moth
ing could be done until after congress closed.
Before the close of congress Hiram Atkins
told me that could be appointed but could
not be confirmed; that James w. Brock was
pushing the states attorney to send me to
the workhouse U having been indicted for
an alleged sale of alcohol in my drugstore
in December, 1854 five months before | sold
out said store, the case having been twice
tried in county court and the jury disagree
ing each tme), and that General William
Wells, the brother-in-law of Mr.. Brock,
would prevent my confirmation, he using
his influence against IN; with Senator Ed
munds. | saw Mr.. Brock and General Wells
and was told by those gentlemen that it
was false and that nothing of the kind had
ever been suggested by either of them.
The next attempt to drive me out was
sending his brother, George Atkins to me
with the story that John III. Senter, the
secretary of the democratic state committee,
had confdentially told him that Mr.. Kemp,
the states attorney and partner of Senter,
had told him that If did not withdraw the
republicans would push me to the wall and
ruin Inc. Mr.. Kemp and Mr.. Senter both
deny that any such conversation ever took
place. While in Washington on masonic
business, learned that Colonel John h.
Fellows of New York, who is the leader of
the county democracy and district attorney
of New York, was at the White House
visiting the president. | sent him a note
asking II he would see me at his hotel that
evening. | got an answer to meet him at
the Riggs house at 40, and did so, and for
nearly two hours we discussed the situation.
In that note nothing was mentioned
about office or retainers or money matters.
| saw Postmaster-general Villas and was as
sured by him that the Indictment did not pre-
vent my appointment, as appointments had
been made in Iowa and Kansas under sim
liar state laws and the appontees confirmed,
and that probably no change would be made
uptil Mr., Wings commission expired. was
satisfied and told the Washington cores
pondent of the Boston journal that should
probably be appointed at the proper time,
and spoke in complimentary terms of Mr..
Atkins, which he published. On my return
home, Mr.. Atkins sent for me and told me
that the president had said l could not be
appointed and that If | would withdraw
pleasantly, well and good and if not a eau
Gus would be called, and another man Sc
lected and appointed, and that he did not
propose to wait until Mr.. Wings commits
sion expired. / refused to withdraw and
he had notice inserted in the daily press
that was out of the race. lie summoned
the leaders, some twenty-five in number, to
banquet at his house, at which he publicly
stated that l wrote note TO Colonel Eel
lows offering him large sum of money If
he would secure my appointment as post
master; that Colonel Fellows showed the
letter to the president and the president
said that Frank III. Bascom could never be
appointed postmaster.
Now, fellow democrats of Montpelier, and
all lovers of Justice and honor everywhere
| appeal TO you if / have had just and fair
treatment The caucus has been called for
Saturday next to select another person. |
had nearly three hundred signers to my
petition, all democrats, besides numerous
letters of endorsement from leading demo-
Gratis in Vermont and other states. l hope
all who signed my petition, as well as those
that endorsed Captain Mead, will be there
as | have letter from Colonel Fellows that
gives the lie to all that Mr. Atkins has said
and which | propose to read,
Your friend and fellow servant
FRANK III. BAscoM.
Montpelier, VT, Nov. IL, 1886.