Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-01
REFUSES TO SURRENDER.
POSTMASTER WILSON DECLINES
TO GO OUT.

Capt Lamsr's Receipts for the Prop
erty-A Test Case to he Made On Con
stitutional Point--The Transfer Post
poned Until To-Day.
six O'Clock last evening was the time
agreed upon for Capt. George w. Lamar
to visit the post Office and notify Postmas-
ter Wilson that he was ready TO take pos
session. About that hour Capt. Lamar
and Col. Clifford Anderson entered the
registry letter and money order depart
ment and were given seats in the front
part of the office. They had been in
formed bv Postmaster Wilson that per-
haps the transfer would not be without
incident. Since his suspension he has
retained counsel-R. r. Richards, Esq.-
and has had him looking up some
constitutional questions. Col. Wilson
came 10 the conclusion that, as he has not
been guilty of treason, any high crimes or
misdemeanors, President Cleveland had
no authority to remove BIN. lie had
given an intlmation Of this idea to Capt.
Lamar. and in fact some time yesterday
afternoon he notified the incoming Post
master that he (Coi. Wilson would not
voluntarily yield the office.
Capt. Lamar and Col. Anderson waited
patiently for Postmaster Wilson to ap-
near. At o'clock they began 10 think
That perhaps he had given up his plan.
They concluded, however, to wait until all
OF the registry matter was disposed Of,
and then they would close up.
1t was s O'Clock before Mr.. Wilson ar
rived. lie entered through the mailing
department.. and as he walked up through
the money order room Capt. Lamar arose
and met him.
THE COMMISSION,
Walter &. Charlton, Esq, whom Capt.
Lamar had requested to be present, had
just left few minutes before. IA advised
by his attorney, Capt Lamar i'm mediate
~ handed Col. Wilson a letter from Pres
ident Cleveland notifying him OF his SUE
tension. The paper was taken by Post
master Wilson, who, without looking at
dt.suggested that they first go through The
Office. Before doing anytime else.thouGh,
Capt. Lamar drew out his commission
signed bv the President and Postmaster
General Villas.
1--WE will just lay these on the desk for
the present." Col. Wilson remarked. The
gentlemen then took seats and Col. Will
son unlocked some drawers in his desk
and showed his successor the keys of the
office and some paners. They then
chaJted for half an hour, while the regis
Try clerk was entering up the packages
that came in by tue night trains. When
tNHl was NNGl dhu fo6'6N"nb / OoiluhSlGi
Hull had made his regular account Of the
packages. Capt. Lamar, Col. Anderson
and Mr.. Hull BEGAN counting the stamps,
stamped envelopes, postal cards,
etc. That was not com
pleted until after Q O'Clock. While the
receipts We're being signed the earthquake
came and the proceedings were inter-
Tupted for a few minutes.
REFUSING TO GO.
D.
act Of taking charge and Capt. Lamar
said: "Here are the receipts for the
property turned over Vud / Will
now take charge of the Office"
~ object to The words turned OVER"
Col. Wilson remarked, land | decline to
receive the receipts. also decline 10 re-
cognize the authority Of the President to
remove me. TIE constitution does not
give him the authority, because | have
act bsen guilty ST any treason,
high crimes or misdemeanOrs. |
claim that under the constitution
bie action is without warrant. was APP
pointed by aud with the advice of the SEN
sle No vacancy has occurred, and |
propose net 30 receive these receipts and
to romain Postmaster"
The statement was made in a conversa-
tiouQl tone. aud Capt. Lamar replied ia
the same way, saying: II have orders
here 10 receive the papers and property
belonging 80 the Office, for which give
you these receipts. ! demand the Office
ard ! shall act as Postmaster OF savau-
hah.'
Il shall stay in uuUl put out" Col
Wilson responded, anh he added: 81 re-
fuse TO accept the receipts"
INVITED OUT.
~ have been duly appointed Postmas-
ter said Can't. Lamar, land | consider
you by courtesy only visitor in this Of
lce"
Il do not yield my rights. You must
put ne out" was the reply. "YOu must
use force stronger t0an am"
Each gentleman spoke with frmness,
tut With periect friendliness, Tor each un-
1ers,OOd the others position. Some fur
ther conversation followed, IN which Col.
Anderson occasionally joined. Col. Will
sou stated that he had legal point TO
~ axe and be wanted to do it AMIGA
bly,. Several minutes had been spent ia
talking the matter over, when Cact. La
mar asked one of the clerks to go to the
Ogiethorpe Club and request Mr.. Charl-
ton 30 come 10 the post office. When Mr.
Charlton arrived Col. Wilson made "a
statement explaining his position and his
point, remarKing that be desired to make
test case. This involves q great deal
il my position is decided by the courts 10
be constitutional" observed the suspend-
ed Postmaster. lie then handed Mir.
Charlton paper ntaiune the following
excerpts from the constitutions:
A CONSTITUTIONAL POINT.
The President "shall nominatee and by
and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, shall appoint all all =
officers of the United States, whose ap-
pOntments arenot herein otherwise pro-
VIded Tor, and which shall be estabished
by law; but the Congress may by law vest
the appointment OF such interior officers
rs they think proper in the President
alone, in the courts OF law. or in the
heads OF departments. Art. H., 50, clause
..
The President shall have power to fill
up all vacancies that may happen during
the recess Of the Senate, by granting com
missions which shall expire at the end Of
their next sesslOn.-Art. IL. 80. clause 3.
AL civil officers Of the United States
shall be removed from office on impeach-
ment for aud conviction OF treason,
bribery or other high crimes and misde-
meanors. Art. H., s..
Mr.. Charlton and Col. Wilson argued
the question for minute or two wnen
TIE latter said that be was confirmed Jan.
p. 1885, for four years, and he claimed
that he bad TWO years and five
~