Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-06-01
POSTMASTER COWDEN.
BB ASSUMES The DUTIES OF THb OFFICE
LAST EVENING
Jos A. Mstcalf Principal Assis ant Postmaster O'hsF
Appointmsns-An Old Soldier
IS Released.

II ia now Postmaster Cowden, that gen.
tleman having formally taken charge Of
the Office last evening 1t will be remem-
bered the statement WAS made several
days since that Mr.. Simpson had received
M official notification of his suspension,
and he hesi,ated about relinquishing the
office. He wrote to Postmaster General
Wannamaker asking for such notification,
Int his letter was Dever answered, anu
Yesterday he requested Mr.. Cowden TO tel
eeraph Mr.. Wsnnsmaker requesting that
a formal notice be sent him.
Mr. Simpson shortly afterward received
the following telegram:
.'Transfer Office 10 Cowden on presenta-
ton of commission. Notice Of suspension
unnecessary. ]. S. CLARKsON.
"First Asst. p. M. Genl."
This indeed peculiar Republican way
of running the Government, and q very
loose way, one would imagine. When
Mr. Simpson succeeded Mr.. Sterling the
latter received a notice of his suspension
from headquarters through Mr.. Simpson.
However, the Postmaster decided TO turn
over the office without further notice, and
the transfer was formally made in his pri-
vate Office. An inventory of all the prop
erty, stamps, cash, &c, &c, had been
taken. and it covered a scroll about four
wards in length. The retiring Postmaster
keeps a copy of this and sends one to the
Department. Postmaster Simpson, Chief
Clerk A Allen Brock, and Mr.. COwden
and his Chief Clerk, Jos. A. Metcalf, were
present. and it did not take more than an
hour or 60 to complete the transfer.
Mr. CoWden was seen last evening and
beipg oueried about his intentions, said:
~ have made but three appointments,
yet-J. A. Metcslf Principal, Assistant
Postmaster; Ralph Whitehead, Superin-
tendent of Carriers and Henry A. Albright
Assistant Superintendent of Carriers. l
have notified all the other employees 10 the
Office that they would be retained until
such time as l am ready to fill their
places. and that they would be given due
notice when their designations were
wanted"
Messrs. Whitehead and Albright are
men who have had positions in the office
before, which fact is commented upon a
good deal. Mr.. Geo. E Boyd, Jr., the
present stamp clerk, it is understood, ten
dered his resignation to Mr.. Cowden last
evening, but that gentleman prevailed
upon him to continue in the position for a
time. 1t is said that Mr. J mes V. Dickey
has been appointed to the position of stamp
clerk.
Yesterday Postmaster Cowden addressed
personal letters to the employees of the
Office, requesting designations in those
cases where new employees are to take
hold at once, or notifying those who are
to remain little while longer, that their
services would be required for some fur
Their period. The letter carriers, with one
exception, received letters to this latter
effect. That exception was Mr.. George
Rodenbaugh, and his particular letter ran
as follows:
WHEELING, W. VA, May 81, 1889.
"Mr. George ROdenbaugh:
DEAR SIR:-Piease hand in your
resignation as carrier, to take effect June
10th. Every truly,
"W. ]. W. CowDEN,