Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-11
rrRoN A srArF CORRESPONDENTS j

rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, MAY 1O-The nomination
to-day of Elmer NJ. Soles to be postmaster at
McKeesport caused a great deal of curious
inquiry, as Representative Ray some days
ago recommended Edwin Soles for the ap-
pointment, and the Postmaster General mad
the name promptly sent to the Senate. The
mistake occurred on account of a similarity
of names. Edwin Soles was an applicant
for the position. and had his papers OF file.
Elmer NJ. Soles, cousin OF Edwin, was
also an applicant but his papers were de-
layed in transit, and that delay caused the
whole of this curious complication. When
the Postmaster General formally withdrew
the nomination OF Captain Thompson, Rep
resentative Ray, after a few days, recon-
mended the appointment of Mr.. Reese.
CAUSED BY A TELEGRAM.
The latter refusing to accept, Mr.. Ray ran
his eye over the list of names to familiarize
himself with them, and while cogitating
received a telegram signed by gentlemen in
whom he had placed his confidence as safe
pilots in his stormy voyage on the sea of
McKeesport postal politics This telegram
read as follows: I'VE want Soles"
As there was but one Soles in the list of
applicants up to that time Mr.. Ray at once
sent to the Postmaster General his recon-
mendation of Edwin Soles, and on the day
following the nomination was sent to the
Senate. 1t was Uelegraphed to McKeesport
that Soles was appointed, and the friends of
Elmer NJ. Soles supposed it was their own
particular Soles, until by subsequent tele-
grams it was made perfectly clear that
mistake had been made in the identity OF
the men, and kilograms were sent in hot
haste to inform Mr.. Raw of the blunder.
The Postmaster General was also flooded
with letters and telegram; to hold up the
nomination, and a messenger was sent by
the fastest train to make an effort in person
to bring order out of the confusion of this
latest version of the two Dromios Mr.
Ray was in even a more uncomfortable DO
sition than he had been at any time during
the contest.
TOO MANY OF THEM.
Edwin Soles was formal applicant and,
believing him to be the Soles desired by his
friends, the nomination was made. Mr..
Soles had responded nimbIy to the nomina-
tioD, apparently somewhat surprised himself
at the ease with which he accomplished a
feat in which those who had more influence
than he had failed, and came on the ground
in person to thank Mr.. Ray, who did not
know him at all.
The situation was most distressing. Both
the Congressman and the Cabinet officer
were nonplussed. Ray and Wanamaker sat
and looked in each others faces, mutely ex-
pressing language that would have not
sounded well in the Sunday school it spoken
aloud Meantime the kilograms kept pour
ing in for the appointment of Elmer NJ
Soles. Special delivery letters were piled
mountain high on the private desks of the
Congressman and the Postmaster General.
Such influential citizens of McKeesport
as L. c. Converse and Thomas NJ. King
threw themselves into the breach, and the
vast weight of the dominant political in
fuence of the young city added to these
prayers of private individuals, decided the
officials that only the most heroic treatment
would set matters straight.
IMMEDIATE ACTION NECESSARY.
Something had to be done quickly, as
there was danger that at any moment the
nomination of Edwin Soles would be con-
frmed and thus fasten on McKeesport a
postmaster whom it was not intended TO ap-
point Late yesterday afternoon it was de-
cided to withdraw the name of Edwin Soles,
To prevent any further complication the
Postmaster General telephoned to the
Senate to hold up the nomination and it
was well he did so, for the name of Edwin
Soles had been reported favorably from the /
proper committee and was even then await /
ing its turn in an executive session of the |
Senate.
1t is probable that within Is minutes
more the confirmation would have been |
complete, had not the telephone message |
been received, and then there would have |
been no recall As it was, Mr.. Solts, No, 1, |
was bowled out by telephone, and Mr. Soles,
No.2, was bowled in in the same manner to the |
Presidential mansion to be reported thence |
to-day to the Senate. Mr. Solos, No. 2, will |
he confirmed. The friends o Mr.. SOles !
No. l will raise a row, of course but |
there is not enough influence in the universe |
to compel Messrs. Ray and Wanamaker to
take any new tack and embroil themselves
in any fresh controversy in regard to Nc |
Keesport affairs.
RAY MUCH CHAGRINED.
Mr.. Elmer NJ. Soles has been connected |!
with the Baltimore and OHIO Railroad for |
quarter of a century, and for IL years of that |
time has been a conductor of the road. He is.
solid citizen and property holder, who i
needs no introduction to the people OF Nc.
Keesport. OF course Mr.. Ray is very much |
chagrined on account of the blunder, |
and expresses much sympathy for |
Mr.. Edwin Soles, whose position is !
the most painful of all, but the entire |
grotesque business Is to be blamed on the |
little telegram. 1--WE want Solos,, sent by |
persons who did not know Edwin Soles or
that there was such an applicant, and re- /
ceiVed by one who knew neither of the |
Soies, but who had heard of Edwin Solessas |
the only applicant of that name
1t was blunder such as probably never |
Leiore occurred in the history of the Post |
Office Department, and will be memorable |
in its annals, and what is not the case with |
most blunuers, no one is to blame
LIGHTNER.