The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
WORKING AGAINST HIMSELF.
Story About Delegate who, for Convenience
Merely, Is Called Voorhees,.

Story About a Delegate Who, for Convenience
Merely, Is Called Voorhees,.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec 3I-'I heard good story
about a Delegate to Congress from Of the
very far Western Territories, /" said Commissioner
of Civil Service Oberly to some friends the other
evening, "and for the relation of which we will
call him Voorhees,, of the Territory OF Washing
ten During the vacation preceding the conven-
ing of the last Congress, Voorhees, was making
heroic effort TO have a postmaster appointed for
one OF the principal cities in his Territory. He
laid his mans name before the Postmaster gen
eraI, together with proper Endorsements and
recommendations, and returned to his home
the Pacific. A short time after going home
Voorhees, received word from Washington that
the Postmaster-generai had concluded to APP
point another man than the one recommended
by the Delegate. There another appl!ca-
ton file in the department, and it had been
presented by very reputable men from the Ter
ritory, and those in opposition to Voor-
hees, who, as he heard of the
likelihood of this appointment, hustled off to
the telegraph to stop il. Delegate Voorhees,
wired the Postmaster-general to not make the
appointment of postmaster at the city where
the contest was going on till he (Voorhees) could
arrive here; that he had something to say; that
likely to be given the place. There was good
deal of agitation going through the brain and
veins of the young Delegate Gould 1t be pos
sible that the Postmaster general would make
that appointment against the expressed wish of
the Delegate from the Territory and Demo
cratic Delegate, tooP he asked himself about
every half hour during his first days journey
towards the national capital, for he took the
first train for this city. Nervous over the matter
the Delegate got out at telegraph Office and
wired the Postmaster general to not make the
appointment till he came; that he was on the road
here. Early the next morning the Delegate haV-
ing studied over the m latter during the night and
being still more nervous, sent another message
10 the Postmaster general, asking that the APP
poiptment be held up till he arrived. At din
ner that day he duplicated the message. During
the afternoon the Delegate had the train wait
long enough to permit him to file another mes
cage to the Postmaster general, asking, In more
positive language, that the appointment be held
no till he arrived. The telegraph Offices along
the route OF that Delegate did a good business
for four or five days-on franks. Finally the
train bearing the Delegate reached Washing
ton. All agony has an end sometime. With
out waiting till he had visited hotel to make
his toilet rest, the Delegate from Wash
ineton Territory called a hack at the depot and
told the driver drive direc: to the residence of
the Postmaster general. 1t was then after the
hours when departmental business is done The
Postmaster-general was about going out to
dinner.
= Have you made that appointment YETI in
quired the Delegate, almost out of breath,
as he entered the room.
Yes was the reply.
" Then am too late to have it held upF
" Too late came the answer.
I" But didn't telegraph your
g Yes, many times replied the Postmaster
gener1. i had your papers and reco1nmenda-
lions, and 1 could see no reason why 1 should
wait about appointing your man, and l did
yesterday The Delegate looked sort o. dazed,
and moved out with mingled pride and embar-
rassment. He had been working against him
self"