Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-31
POSTMASTER OF MANCHESTER.
Mr.. Thomas n. Smith Nominated Yester-
day by the President

Mr.. Thomas II. Smith, familarlv called
"Shortic." Will succeed Henry A. Jordan,
ESQ.,. as postmaster of the city of Man
chester.
Just whom the administration of the
Office viii be changed is not known. but il
will probably occur as soon az the Senate
confirms the nomination of Mr.. Smith.
which was sent to it by the President yes
terday.
JoRDAN's TERM.
N1r. Jordan. it appears. will vacate the
Office by virtue of removal rather than
having served ont his four-years' term,
which would not expire until January 1G,
1892.
He vas appointed in May 1885. when the
Manchester offioo was in the fourth class,
but did not enter upon the discharge of
his duties until the 1st of July of that
year. There being no specific term of q
third-class postmaster. he WINS liable to re-
moval at any time. but on the 18th Of jan
uary. 1888. the post-ofice having been
raised to a second-class Office. Mr.. Jordan
was appointed postmaster Tor four years,
the usual term.
THE APPoINTnHNT HURRIED
Mr. Jordan has made a most efficient and
acceptable officer and there has not been
until very recently any EFFORT made TO dis
turb him. Some of the thirsty politicians
became weary OF waiting, though, and
pressed for the immediate appointment.
When Judge Waddill was last here he said
that he intended to have the change made
pretty soon. He was then, or had been,
meditating in his own mind who
was the most available one of the
many candidates. and hearing that Mr..
Smith was. had him honored with the Office.
which ia now worth about Sl,4O0 per an-
mum.
GEEAT SURPRISE.
The announcement of this appointment
will be read with surprise save by the tev
who were let into the secret last night. II
was not expected that the change would
be made so soon. and then there were what
were good reasons for believing that when
a new man was named Mr.. Il. B. W. Beat
lie would be he. Mr. Beattie had what First
Assistant Postmaster-General Clarkson
pronounced to be one of the best petitions
that he had ever seen. Ii was signed by
many of the leading business and profes-
sional men of the city, both Republicans
and Democrats. He also had letters writ
ten in his behalf by Colonel Brady, Major
Joseph Walker. and others. who hold high
rank in Republican circles. and at the
mass-meeting of Republicans held in
Manchester on Tuesday night of last
week Alr. Beattie was endorsed for the
Office. IL was for this purpose that the
meeting was held. On one ballot Smith
led, then there was tie between him and
Beattie. but later on the latter received a
majority vote, which was then made unani.
nous.
MIR. Be1ttie was greatly surprised when
he learned of his defeat, but he accepted II
good naturedly.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. Smith is n single man, about twenty.
eight years old. over SIX feet IN height, q
mailer by trade. and works on Belle Isle.
He lives with his father at the corner of
Fourteenth and Railroad streets. A Dispatch
reporter called to see him last night about
his appointment, but neither he nor any OF
the family were present. Some of his
friends who were seen said he had shown
them numerous papers referring to his ap-
pOlntment.
The appointee is a staunch Republican,
and for several years has taken active part
in politics. In fact. he is recognized as
one of the party leaders in Manchester,
and in oil recent conventions has been one
of the white men conspicuous for their
small numbers.
Tho DiSpdtch's Washington correspondent
telegraphs that the Office was promised
Smith bv Judge Waddll some time ago.
Ii is understood that Senator Lloyd also
supported his claims.