The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-02-09
THAT SWEET
POS7MISTRESS.
How Miss Simonson, of East
Orange, Built Up Her
Salary.

EAST ORANGE, Feb. s, 1890.-The
Republican scramble for the postoffice
of this Republican stronghold is con-
tinued for all there is in the fight, and
the several aspirants for the honor of
succeeding Miss Mary Simonson, the
Postmistress, obtaining control of the
office and securing the emolulnents,
are becoming more intense in ther Bit
terness, one toward the other, and
each is determined that he, and he
only, shall be successful say he, be-
cause the only feminine who presumed
to make a push for the place was
forced aside by the death of her cham
pion. Gardner r. Colby, and now none
but masculine Republicans are striv-
ing to GUST PostmistreSs Silnonson and
secure her place. While the fight be-
tween ex-Postmaster Stephen NJ. Long
and would-be Postmasters Frank
Rowe. Everett Mills, HI. b. Gombers
and Billy Baldwin is progressing.
Miss Simonson continues to hold the
fort and discharge her duties salts
factorily to the public.
Miss Simonson was only twenty
three years of age, when in 1886. bv
the grace of President Cleveland. she
relieved Postmaster Long, and as
sumed the duties OF the office. She is
consequently about twentv-seven
years old. She is tall and graceful.
and is decidedly attractive in appear
ance. She is self-possessed and her
tact and business methods combined
with her pleasant manner, have rem
dered her popular. In fact she al
ways was popular as a girl and young
lady. Merchants like to deal with her
and have her trade with them. She
is q general fayorite, and ever com
mands respect and attention.
But her appointment as postmistress
was not obtained without opposition.
There were then as many eager. mas
culine Democrats striving for the place
as there are masculine Republican
aspirants now. When it was first ru-
mored that she was candidate many
treated it as joke, but when ruinor
| gave way to certainty, and it was
found she was leader in the race,
many expressed their disapproval. 1t
was presumption on the part of an in
experienced girl, and il she were sue
cessiul IN securing the appointment
J tti| Pobiic NOu4a nave 10 SuuHf.
These and other objections were treat
ed by Miss Sinonson with character
| istic sang froid. Her well endorsed
| application was sent to Washington,
and the influence of her friend, Benia-
min Hilton, q prominent Democrat.
backed by the influence of Senator
| Mcpherson, caused the young lady to
become the postmistress. At this
time there were four postoffices in the
township, with hers as the most CEN
/ trail location.
The others were at Brick Church,
/ Watsessing, and the eastern end OF
| the town. She decided to locate her
office in Doan's brick row at the
junction. She fitted it with new
boxes and the eve of Washington's
Birthday, 1886, she was ready for
business. For two weeks curiosity
was on the tip toe. Young and old
had frequent calls to make at the
office, and everybody was anxious to
know and see how the Postmistress
would transact her business. A
majority knew it was not possible for
her 10 handle letters and do the BUSH
ness as d man could, but she did sue
coed, and in short time the public
1 awoISe to the fact that the Post
mistress not only understood her bust