Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-01-09
The Columbia Post Office.
SENATOR WADE HAMPTON ON TIE
,sUBTERFUGEs OF TIE DEpARTMENT.
[New York Herald.l

hence was surprised to see some
days ago an editorial commenting OH
my letter to the Postmaster General
in which an injnsticc, unintentional,
| think, was done to me. That arti-
Gle criticised me for speaking OF
Columbia rs "my post Office" when,
of course, | used that expression in
the same sense that fifteen thousand
of my fellow-citizcns would use it.
1t has always been my post Office,
for my home has been there all my
life.
Another point brought against me
was that asserted my right to nom
mate the postmaster of that city,
and that asked the retention of the
incumbent until the expiration of his
term. did neither of these things,
and that the Xeruld may understand
the real and only issue between the
Postmaster General and myself, |
will state all the facts in the case.
Soon after the Inauguration of
President Harrison, Eugene Gary, a
! Northcrncr who has lived for wears in
Columbia, a Republican who is cs-
tcemcd aud respected by all classes
there, sent to me an application for
the position of postmaster. This
paper was endorsed by nearly all the
business men of Columbia, irrcspcct-
i've of party. wrote to Mr.. Gary
saying that could make no recon-
mcndation in the case, but that his
application should be filed, and if, as
has been the custom when a post
master was to be appointed at the
residence OF a Senator, | should be
consulted about the matter, | would
say how strongly he was en-
dorscd, and that l regarded him as
better qualified for the place than
any Of the other applicants.
gave his application to Mr..
Whitfield, assistant postmaster, in
the absence Of the Postmaster Gen
cral, and informed him of what had
written to Mr.. Gary. "A short time
since | saw the Postmaster General
and asked him in reference to this
application OF Mr. Gary. He replied
that he had not considered the mat
ter of the Columbia post office, for
the incumbcnt's term would not expire
until February, and that he should
not be removed until then. He went
on TO say that when postmaster
was to he appointed there he would
remember that this was my post Office
and he would consult me about the
appointment. This assurance was
given voluntarily and positively.
| did not ask for the rctc ntion Of
Mr.. Gibbcs, nor did even mention
his name. While at nome few
days after this interview | informed
MIR. Gibbcs of the promise made by
the Postmaster General, and to my
great surprise saw very soon after
wards the official announcement of
the appointment of DR.. Clayton
"vico w. II. Gibbcs removed"
Any gentleman can understand
why | felt naturally and properly in
dignant at the manner in which
had been treated. 1t was not be-
cause Of the removal of Mr.. Gibbs,
for | expected this, knowing how
the Civil Service rules arc observed
in the Post Office Department under
its present administration; nor was it
because Of the appointment of Clay
ton. But it was because I had been
made the medium of communicating
to Mr., Gibbcs n falschood and | was
thus placed in a false position.
have no possible interest in the post
office at Columbia, except my desire
to see good postmaster there, foi
that is matter of Importance to my
fellow citizens. had no candidate
for the place, nor have intcrfcrcd
in the matter in the slightest degree
beyond my action in reference to
Mr.. Gary, whom | should have been
pleased to sec appointed, as he is
thoroughly qualified in every way
for the place.
In one Of The several published
interviews with the Postmaster Gen
cral, none very consistent, | see that
he says that was 'too prcvious;"
that Mr.. Gibbcs had not been re-
moved. | give an extract from Il let
ter Of the cX-poStmastcr, Mr.. Gibbcs,
bearing on that point "Whcn Wan
namakcr stated that no commission
had been issued it was a mere sub
tcrfugc, as the appointment had
been made and Clayton's bond sent
him for execution" The Postmaster
General says that he sent II. ID. to
me, but have received none from