The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-15
TO HOLD FEDERAL OFFICES
Wallace, as Postmaster, Gives PrOmiseO of
Needed Improvement in theService.
W. L. Dunlap to Be the Marshal-Sketches Of
the Appointees-DiStrict Attorney Cham
bers Will Take Charge at Once.


conclusion that Mr.. Wallace would be
chosen, gave great satisfaction to everyone,
even the most pronounced Democrats
cheerfully bearing testimony that more
thoroughly acceptable Republican could
not be found in this bailiwick. Mr.. Wallace
is positive man of most gracious dignity
and charming urbanity. He is an old-fash-
toned Christian gentlemen, with all the
term implies. He is a native of Indiana,
born at Brookville Oct. 16, 1924, his father,
the late Governor David Wallace, being at
that time and for several years afterward
lawyer In that place, then the GEN.
ter of culture in eastern Indiana.
When the father, who was Lieu
tenant-governor during Governor Mobiles
six years service, was elected to succeed
him as Governor from 1887 to 1910. the fam
lily removed to Indianapolis, arriving here
in September, 1887, since which time William
Wallace has been continuous resident of
this city.
a. Journal reporter called upon Mr.. Wal
lace, yesterday afternoon, falling into line
with the numerous visitors who were tend
ering the appointee their hearty congratu-
lations. Itlacked five minutes of 8 o'clock.
Il received the news of my appointment
only ten minutes ago." said Mr. Wallace to
the reporter, but am ready to answer any
questions you may have to ask"
indianapolis has grown somewhat since
your hrst acquaintance with the town."
suggested the interviewer.
can answer that by quoting the de-
scriptlon OF the place as given in one of my
school books; Olney's geography said: In
annapolis IS very beautifully situated on
the east bank of White river it is remark
able for it's fine public buildings At that
time the fine public buildings consisted of
the two banks. one ut the corner of Vlr-
ginla avenue and Washington street, and
the other at the intersection of Kentucky
avenue and Washington street. The old
changed. The third and last fine public
building was the old State-house. The
population of the place was then about
1,SOO; it is now 120, 000."
You have never held public Office, /
believer"
oh, yes. one. During the war, from 1861
to 1865, was clerk of Marion county. The
civil business of the courts during the war
dld not pay the expenses of the office. Abb
soiutely there were terms of the Circuit
Court that would not have paid the clerk
hire. 1t was the probate business that
helped out, but that did not yield much
money. That is the only public Office
ever held. have always been Repub-
like other young men in 1856, did great
deal of party work. made many speeches.
and think there were few school houses
In central Indiana that did not below in
during my OratOrical days."
Were you not at one time law partner
OF General Harrisonp inquired the e.
porter.
'Yes. he was my law partner, and. with
the exception of my son, the only partner
ever had. Benjamin Harrison and myself
formed partnership in 1854. when he first
came to this city, and continued it until
1861, when was elected clerk, soon after
which time he went into the army. did
some little toward assisting General Harri-
son to raise the Seventieth Indiana Regi-
ment. There had been a call for troops
the second requisition, ] believe-and Indi-
ana was called on for her quota. General
Harrison and were together one day in
the State Library and Governor Morton
came in. The war Governor greeted us and
remarked, You are the very men L want to
see.' He took us into his office In the old
State-house, and pointing through win
dow TO some stone masOnS at work on the
opposite side of the street. said: You see
those men at work there: now, gentlemen.
there has not been single response made,
as yet, to this demand for troops. | want
Harrison, that is the summons have been
expecting He at once went to work, a
ieutenant's cap upon his head, recruiting a
company. AS i said, was clerk of the cOun-
ty at the time, but gave all the assistance
inmy power to help Harrison. An evening or
two after our talk with the Governor we
had war meeting in Masonic Hall which
was so large that an overflow was held in
the State-hOuse yard. 1t was the beginning
of an enthusiasm that carried over the
State resulted in Indiana furnishing her
quota in very short time. / don't mean
to imply that all thiL was done by us. Gen.
eral Harrison started the movement and L
gave my aid, whatever that amounted to.
iufapded 70 Oa ouf with the repiment aa a
private soldier, but 1T was suggested by
Judge Newcomb and Mr.. Lucian Barbour
that my doing so would vacate the office.
Judge Harrington and went to Judge Per
kins, of the Supreme Bench, and asked him
if such case had been tested. The Judge
replied that the bench had just passed upon
one and had not yet delivered the opinion.
He said that an absence of the kind pro-
posed would affect the office"
The time was critical, and had Mr.. Wal
lace resigned the result would have been to
place the Office in Democratic hands. He
afterwards got permission from his old
partner to accompany the SEVENTEEN regi-
ment, and he went on the same footing as
an enlisted man, but at his own expense.
He remained several months, until urgent
letters from home demanded him to either
come home or resign. AS Mr.. Wallace had
at that time a wife and six children, he did
not like to contemplate the necessity of re-
signing and under the advice of General
Harrison, he returned home. He volun-
teered and served, however, as hundred
DAYS man. again at his own expense and,
as he himself says. while / didn't make a
very good soldier, it didn't cost the country
anything; ] had good time with the boys,
but never brag about my military achieve
mentS."
Soon after General Harrison's election,
the name of Col. Sam Merrill was men,
toned for the postmastership, and men,
bers of the SEVENTEEN Indiana, of which
regiment he was colonel. petitioned for his
appointment. Colonel Merrill called upon
Mr.. Wallace yesterday, and congratulated
him upon his success. II am not disap-
pointed" said the Colonel. 81 told Mr..
Wallace several weeks ago that he would
be nominated, and that / was glad of il.
The appointment is very acceptable one
to me-"
The commission of Postmaster Jones ex-
pires on the 30th inst, ms appointment
having been one of the first made in Presi-
dent Cleveland's administration. Mr..
Jones gives his approval to the nomiDa-
ton. 1T Is an excellent nomination." said
the retiring postmaster. If had been
called on to make the appointment, / should
have selected Mr.. Wallace"
Mr.. Wallace was asked as to what his poll
icy would be In regard to changes in the
working force of the postoffce. He said:
The civil service law. as / understand 1T,
was designed to put efficient men In office.
| Other things being equal, Republicans will
be given preference when possible 1t would
be unjust to hold me responsible for the
acts of men in the appointment of whom
| had no choice. If i thought was to have
no choice in the personnel of my subordln-
Il u