The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-24
SPEER'S WAR ON LOCKE.
THE COLONEL GIVES HIS VERSION
OF THE CAUSE.

He Charges That the Judge is Mad Bes
cause He Refused to Promise TO Give
the Assistant Postm astership to a
Friend-An Attack on the Judges
Veracity.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-The NEWS cor
respondent asked Col Locke tonight what
he had to say about tho reported opposition
OF Judge Speer TO his appoi ltment as post
master at Macon. He said in substance: II
nave every reason to believe that judge
Speer is opposing me. ! telegraphed him
yesterday afternoon for denial of the re-
port. bat twenty-nine hours afterward I
have received no reply from him. Con-
sequently must believe aa
am told that he telegraphed
the Postmaster General on the I4th
inst, that Fought not TO be appointed post-
master at Macon because | nave not the
coincidence OF the community That ia all
understand he has alleged. and that ia /,
answered by the Endorsement rave on file
In letters from the leading officials. and
from all the leading republicans ia Georgia.
NO one can truthfully allege anything
against my private or my public character.
and have no idea that Judge Speer's
general charge will hurt me-
sPEER's OBJECT.
What is Speer's object. Well that In.
wolves short story. The relations between
Judge Speer and | had been strained ever.
since 1887 until last summer, when he
sought my aid TO have his father appoiuted
postmaster at Athens. IL disclaimed June
to w. w. Bro OF Mac N any Intention 10
Oppose me, and expressed the hope
that would help his father. Ireplied that
i WnHiA n uhaf i p. A n
Speer in Assistant Postnaster-C General
CiarEsons office. He smiled, shook hands
and got me TO introduce him to Chief Clerk
Cooley. next saw him on Dec. 6, when he
called at my office, and / prese ted w. T..
Laub and several other OF my clerks to him.
WANTED TO MAKE A BARGAIN.
He told me then that he understood r
was friendly to his fataer's candidacy. [
SAID Yes. Thereupon he told me that the
Athens postoitce had been rendered 10 his
father and that his father had declined III
he read me what he said was his fatber'a
telegram OF declination. Then he asked me
master at Macon. I told MIN
l thought so, since | was so highly indorsed
and there was no other candidate. lie then
said that he hoped l would bs appointed.
and II was, he hoped | would appoint d
friend OF his assistant postmaster, inquiring
LOCKE DECLINED TO PROMISE.
81 told him that would be glad to serve
him, but could not pledge myself to appoint
his friend in advance. He reminded me-
that he was friendly to me, and then said
IN effect: But you know there might bs
stumbling blocks in your way intimating
that he would put them there. / did not
appoint his man. told him | had no fear
OF stumbling blocks, and repeated that (
would like to crafty him, but could not
commit myself in advance, Then he left.
having failed in his attempt to impress me-
with his influence.
AN ATTEMPT TO coERcE.
"Eight days later comes his telegram to,
the Postmasler-G General. / can only con-
strue it as an attempt TO coerce me into
making promise to appoint his man asi
assistant postmaster. This is on a par1
with his story about his fathers having
declined an offer, which / have reason TOD
believe was never made. As to the threat
about stumbling blocks, it will not suc-s
ceed.n
AN EYE-oPENER FOR wANAMAKER
1t is understood that the first Postmaster-i
General Wanamaker heard of Judge Spesr'al
story Of his fathers decl:nation OF thel
Athens postofflce was from an afldavit
made by Col. Locke, embodying the account
OF Judge Speer's visit OF December 0, z venl
above. Judge Speer's statement that Athensl
postoffice had been offered to AMI declined
by his father astonished Postmaster-Gen-.
eral Wanamaker, it Is said as much as ID
did Col. Locke. Col. Locke. it Is stated, has
fully explained the situation to Postmaster.
General Wanamaker. and Judge Speer's
telegram may not even delay the appoints
ment, which was TO be made January IL.