The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-15
THE w HEN
THE DANVlLLE POSTOPPICE.
The Controversy Is Not Settled, and the DEM
ocrats Are Far from Being Satisfied.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
DANvILLE, Ind. Aug. 1.-The following dis
patch from Danvile appeared in the Indianapo-
lis Sentinel of yesterday:
''The postofice controversy in this town was
settled last night by James T. Williams taking
charge as postmaster. Charles Faulkner, of In
dianspolis is acting as temporary deputy. While
most OF the Democrats satisfied with the
change, the Republicans are bitterly opposed to
it."
If the editor Of the Indianapolis Sentinel
wants to publish the truth about the Danville
postoffce. let him send reliable reporter here
and procure interviews with prominent and
reputable Democrats who get their mail at this
place. The principal statements in the forego-
ing dispatch untrue and misleading.
The ''postoffice controversy was not settled
by the late transfer. but WAS stirred up anew.
and is hotter than ever. It 10 not true that
most Of the Democrats are satisfied with the
change" To say this is to insult the manhood
of the fair-minded Democrats who deplore the
base and contemplate spirit displayed by Con
gresham Matson and his Danville henchmen. In
selling out government Office at the expense Of
Mrs. Pounds. the widow of lifelong Democrat
The postoffice was given to the late A. p.
Pounds about eighteen months ago, as a reward
for party service Mr.. Pounds died last May.
and while he was yet writhine on q bed Of pain
his anguish was intensified by learning
thas the political vultures of his
own party were already scheming to take the
Office from his successor. His daughter in
were not a little heightened by certain informa-
tion that reached him, revealing the machina-
tions Of the spoilers. This was gathered from
numerous calculations that escaped his lips be-
tha frnp h nv nva
cal affection. A prominent Democrat remarked,
the other day, that while Mr.. Williams held NO
title whatever TO such favors at the hands OF his
party, il was q shame aud outrage take it
from Mrs. Pounds under any circumstances.
The Office WAS given to the late a. z. Pounds
as reward for long party service,
but when the misfortune OF his death
opened the way for Colonel Matson
ical paymaster by an act Of benevoleuce. he de-
clined to do so. Several of the most prominent
Democrats here Indignantly reiterate their
original charge, that the postofice was prac-
ally sold to the highest bidder. 1t is fact
notorious here that only those whe expect to
profit, directly or indirectly. by this corrupt
transaction are satisfied" There was time
when every Democratic patron OF the Office dis
approved Of any change IL they are now
rsconciled to tho causeless removal OF Mrs.
Pounds, what has made them sol The condi-
tions ere the same now they were tnen so far
as the comparative deserts Of the applicants are
concerned. The dismissal of Mrs Pounds with
ont shadow of reason is q stinging
insult to her integrity as a public servant. 1t
has been proclaimed by this reform" admins
traton that public officers would be removed
only for cause. This hypocritical cant was sup
posed to have been invented to justify the re-
moval Of Republicans; but here 10 the widow OF
q lifelong and faithful Democrat who has her
self never been suspected Of departing from the
political faith of her husband, removed and for
whatl If without cause under the civil service
the act was one Of contemptible meanness; if
with cause, why 10 she not openly accused so as
TO give her opportunity to defend herselff
There is not patron OF this office-Democrat
Republican-who has charged Mrs.
Pounds any of her employees with
the slightest irreaularity in the manage
ment of the Dsnvills postofice. The service. as
rendered mainly by Miss Annie Pounds and her
faithful brother, was exceptionally good. There
was not a better kept Office in the State Had
Miss Pounds been retained deputy under her
Y motherl there is not the least probability that
| she would have been removed in the event Of
the election of a Republican President, at least
until the expiration of her dead fathers full
| term of appointment
Even IL all things else were eousl Mrs
| Pounds needed the Office. because she is poor:
| while Mr.. Williams did not need it, because he
| is financially well-to-do. Mrs. Pounds's re-
moval casts al unjust and sanderous reflection
| upon her as an honorable public servant Ard
| what has she done to deserve this imputationl
| Her Democratic friends will demand an answer
| to this question, and when the day Of reckoning
comes il will be seen which will stand vindi-
| Gated before an outraged community.