Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-25
LETTER ON.THE WAY.
4 Friend of ShiraS Writes to
John Wanamaker, PING
COLONEL BAYNE AT HOME.
he Addresses a Lively Meeting in
Union Rink.
MONTOOTH'S FRIENDS WORKING

The weather yesterday was no hotter than
the political temperature in Allegheny.
Colonel Thomas NJ. Bayne arrived from
Washington early in the morning The
Colonel Immediately opened headquarters at
the Hotel Central, on North Diamond street,
where there was, during all the remainder of
the day, constant crowd of friends and
workers. George Shiras III. spent the day
at his Office in Pittsburg, but his friends
also were very active and alert in Allie
ghenv, and frequent visits were made to the
law Office on Diamond street.
Mr.. Shiras said yesterday that the follow
ing letter, written by prominent citizen of
Allegheny, who does not wish his name to
be known at present, was forwarded to the
Postmaster General:
LETTER IN LETTER.
To Hon. John wauamaker, Postmaster General
Washington, ID. C.,
DEAR SIR: On April 25 you issued an order,
containing the following:
"Omceholders should also constantly
remember that their party friends from whom
they have received preferment have not in
vested them with the power of arbitrarily
managing their political affairs. They have no
right, as oficeholders to dictate the political
action of their party associates or to throttle
freedom of action within party lines by
methods and practices which prevent every
useful and justifable purpose of party organi-
zatiOn. The influence of the Federal office
holders should not be felt in the manipulation
of political primary meetings and nominating
conventions. The use by these officials of their
positions to compass their selection as dele
gates TO political conventions is indecent and
unfair. and proper regard for the proprietIes
and requirements of official place will al so
prevent their assuming the active conduct of
political campaigns"
In view of this recent order directing all
postmasters and postal employees to refrain
from an active participation in the selection
and determination of party nominees, would
respectfully and earnestly call your attention
to the present state of affairs in the Twenty
third Congressional district of this State.
THE LOCAL SITUATION.
On May 81 primaries will be held by the Re-
publican voters of this district for the purpose
of choosing their nominee for Congress. The |
Postmaster of the city of Allegheny, the As |
sistant Postmaster, the subordinates already
appointed and those assured of position, are
standing as primary delegates for the present |
Congressional incumbent In every borough |
and township the postmasters are either dele |
gates or have expressly and openly stated that |
they are responsible for the election of dele |
gates favorable to the the denomination non tr % Of
ing become, the time for the pri- |
mary election approaches that the party |
is IN serious danger OF disruption, simply |
sonal friends of Mr.. Shiras, as they daily wit |
ness the aggressive and offensive activity OF /
Postmaster Gilleland and his subordinates, |
are overcome with distrust in regard to the |
safety and wisdom of using the postoftice for |
even the most ordinary purposes. With the |
incumbent using the pnstotiice as his private
haad0DarferS he mi of ad
public institution is not exactly without
reason.
UNITED ON ONE POINT.
Whatever may be the opinion of the average
Republican voter on the propriety of Federal
oficeholders taking an active hand in defeat
ing the rival political party. all are united upon
the gross impropriety of such officials debating
the selection of their party nominees. Such a
course is absolutely ruinous to party suprem-
acy, and caused the loss of New York State
by 100000 majority, even though the nominee,
Judge Folger. was personally most unexcep-
tionable Candidate.
A prompt and emphatic order from your de-
partment can alone restore confidence and as
sure the voters OF the fact that the coming
nomination is to be made by fair and lawful
means, Public opinion demands it and party
welfare depends upon it. Yours respectfully.
Mr.. Shiras himself said yesterday: 81
am not given to predictions, although feel
/
majority of the election districts in the city
The contest is a severe one, because l have
the immense power of the Federal machin
cry against me"
SOME WHO ARE CANDIDATES.
Postmaster Gilleland and Assistant Post
master Clark are both candidates for Bayne
delegates in the Fifth ward, in which Mr.. |
Shiras lives. In Shiras' own district a
Bayne delegate is running, and, as he de-
clined to draw out, Shiras delegate was put |
up in Bayne's home district. in Bellevue
George T. Rudolph, Deputy Collector of
Internal Revenue is another BaYne dele
gate in the Fl tn ward. William j. Nc
Donald, up for delegate in the Second ward,
is said by the Shiras people to have been
promised the position of Assistant United
States District Attorney. w. A. Scandrett,
appointed under Surveyor of Gus
toms bravo, is a Bayne candidate in the
Third ward.
Colonel Bayne was so busy yesterday that
he had scarcely time to talk to an inter-
viewer. He said he had been receiving
reports all day, and considered his
in excellent condition. He had
no doubt that he would carry the conven-
ton. His arrival and personal direction of
the contest has certainly given his adher-
ents great confidence. The Bayne people
saw that the Butchers Association will aid
to de eat Shiras, claiming that
they had an issue with him when the
Chicago dressed beef bill was before the
last Legislature.
THE ORANGE CONTINGENT.
The Orange lodges of the Twentv-third
District are being worked in
opposition to Colonel Bayne. There are
four lodges of Orangemen in Allegheny,
with a membership of about 800. Tne
Protestant Herald, the organ OF the order in
this city is openly opposing Colonel Bayne.
Some OF Colonel Bayne's friends claim that
the Orange opposition will bring votes to
the Congressman. In the Senatorial con-
test the same influence is being used for Mr..
Neeb.
NOT A RIPPLE TO BE SEEN,