Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-09
From . reporter for tho local columns Of

FROM reporter TOT tue iVfhi cOluiuhs Va
the Consultation we quote as follows;
General Lewis, the new postmaster,
appears TO have stirred up hornets nest.
" His appointment OF Penny, the negro,
to position In the registry department.
was thoroughly and generally discussed
throughout the city yesterday.
And many hard, harsh things were said
OF the new postmaster"
The postmaster says that under the civil
service law he had only two men TO choose
between. In fact, he says he had two
Offices TO I'LL and only one negro and one
white man 10 choose from. That is not
likely story. That was no choice at all.
A plague on that sort of civil-service re-
form. He put the negro into one office
and the white man into the other-the lat
ter the one he thought the white was bet
ter suited for than the negro. The reporter
goes on;
Penny. the negro about whom the trou-
BILE arose, was at his post yesterday earning
the daily portion of 500 set aside for his
years work. All descriptions of the negro
have not painted his skin black enough
once he would have been called greasy
black. Ho IS a graduate OF the Atlanta
University. however, and IS well educated.
His handwriting is good, and II he can
handle the result of figures as neatly as
he can make them he may SUIT General
Lewis.
Mr.. Lyons was at the Office several hours
yesterday, arranging his books, papers,
and business in order 10 yacate. During
his tenure Of the position Mr. Lyons has
shown himself wholly familiar with his
work, and il will be many day before
General Lewis can find one equally rela-
BILE and capable. 10 will require only
few DAYS for the gentleman TO perfect his
work, and then his successor will step in.
The discussion upon the streets and IN
the hotel corridors WAS general YESTERDAY,
and the drift was averse 10 General Lewis.
Nearly everybody condemned him Tor the
appointment, aid il there were any who
endorsed it they kept quiet when IN
crowds.
The carriers who call from house to house
with the mail were questioned about IT by
the ladies. all Of whom feel indignant. Inc
experience Of one carrier covers all.
$50 you have a negro in the Registry
Department, have you I" remarked lady
10 a carrier.
"Yes'm," answered the carrier.
"Wen, / think that man ought TO DO
ashamed of himself. wish We could have
two post-oflices.p
"Why?n asked the carrier.
Because | could go 70 the other.
wouldn't patronize General Lewis at all
then. As It is, | shall never enter his store
again, and none OF my servants shall buy
anything there"
The interest in the story was enhanced
about noon when it was rumored that Mr.
Miles and Mr.. T.. Van Wrinkle, who were on
General Lewis's bond, would Withdraw be-
cause the negro had been given the place.
Mr. Miles however, when asked about 1t
said There Is no truth IN the rumQr.
The rumOrs relative TO Mr. Van Nnkle'
however. were found 10 be true. When he
was asked whether or not he intended 10
Withdraw from the bond. he said " do"
His answer was quick and emphatic, too.
when Will you do 50 Z" he was asked.
AT once. Ibave written General Lewis
letter to-day informing him OF my deter
minatiOn TO come of his bond
Did YOU assign any cause in the let
ter?"
Il did"
And what were the causes?"
a. am not IN sympathy with his appoint
ments. ] do not think that General Lows
should thrust a negro upon the people that
way, aud especially upon his bOndsmen.
When | signed that bond | presumed he
would appoint only competent men 10 re-
spOnsble positions. | do not THINK ne
gro responsible, and believe HIM Ut only
for a carriers place"
il this the feast TO which President HAIR
RsoN, a great-grandson of a distinguished
Virginian, invites his Virginia kinsmen
and conpatriots?