The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-17
THE MERRY WAR Is OVER.

Col. Charles ID. Curtis Successor Has Been
Chosen Mt Last.
The long-dravn contest for the Helena
postmastersnip WAS brought to an end yes
terday and as usual The INDEPENDENT was
first with the news that the president had
appointed Z. H. Clewell for the position.
Nothing else was talked about during the
day and the army Of candidates condoled
with each other. Mr.. CleweIl was the dark
horee and his appointment WAS quite sur
prise, though his name had been mentioned
for the Office. Everybody was satisfied,
however, that good appointment had been
made, and even his opponents had only
words of praise for Mr.. Clewell's fitness for
the position.
During all the famous fight James b.
Walker has been the foremost figure, with
Russell Harrison in the background WELD
ing his mighty influence at the white
house. Mr.. Walker had the solid support
Of the Montana delegation at Washington,
with the possible exception Of Mr.. Carter.
Commodore Power wassfor Walker 6rst, last
and ali the time, and it is even limited
that he will oppose Ciewelps confirmation
by the senate. in the interest of party har
Inony and at the solicitation of prominent
local republicans, about ten days ago M.
Walker was induced to Withdraw from tue
contest and he cheerfu!ly did SO for this
| reason. His letter OF withdrawal was for
warded to the Montana delegation; out be-
fore it reached Washington, the news OF
the withdrawal was flashed back to Mon
| tana. leaving the impression that somebody,
| other than Walker, had communicated the
rews of Walkers withdrawal by telegraph.
Just what inducement was held out to
| Jimmy" to withdraw from the contest il
not known, but it is rumored that he has
been promised local recognition and will
appear as a candidate for more lucrative
Office during the coming municipal cam-
paign. This will probably be for the Office
of city treasurer.
"All know about the matter" said Mr..
Walker to Hn INDEPENDENT reporter, lis
what see by your bulletin. and / suppose
| it is correct. MIR. Ciewelps appointments
will, arm sure. give universal satisfaction.
Yes, Withdrew in the interest of the party.
/ WAS rendered an appointment to land
office in New Mexico, worth 5000 year,
but declined as do not propose to leave
Montana. 1t is good enough for me. was
also offered several other positions which l
declined
| MIR. Moses Morris was also prominent
candidate though his name was originally
used without any solicitation on his part.
| He never even made application and hls
warmest friends. including Hon: l.. II.
4
Office. Mr.. Morris never solicited ans
endorsements or used any influence to
| get the position. Il am really sorry said
MIR. Morris in speaking OF the subject, that
| my name WAS ever mentioned. 1t came
upon me like a shock and considered it
compliment. / am no politician or wirs
puller and would most esteem any public
Office an honor shouid IL CONS in the proper
way. shall never resort to any scheming
or corrupt methods to secure any office.
Had been appointed. OF course ! would
have filled the Office to the best OF my abil-
ity. and contributed Of my own means to
give a good service. | know there is no
money IN the Office at the present time for
any man. | would have looked upon it as
n public trust and felt complimented with
the honor of being called upon, unsolicited
to serve the people. But !. am well
pleased with Ms. Giewsli's selection. H.
il competent, respectable. honest, and bis
fitness for the position cannot be ques
toned, and am satisfied that he will do
full Justice to the position. While James
b. Walker was my choice. as l stated, no
objections on the ground Of competency
can be raised against Mr.. Cieweil. He il
superior TO many of the applicants"
When the postofiice fight started James
b. Walker was the only candidate, and
with the support Of Secretary Blaine none
doubted that he would secure the plum.
But Prince Russelfs fine hand soon ap-
peared ON the wall. His opposition to Mr..
| Walker. 30 far, has not been traced tn any
other cause than that he was employed on
a rival newspaper. The array OF candi.
dates since the fight WAS started has been:
A. q. Simons (recentiy appointed to the
Belknap Indian agency; j. w. Hathaway
| tnow postmaster of the house Mt Washing
toni, Moses Morris, Charles Banks,
lC. Il. Anderson. H. II. Guthrie,
H. G. Yaeger. John W. Thompson,
Jos Davis and Mr.. Cleweli. For long
time Mr.. Walker was foremost in ths light
and spent great deal OF time and money
at Washington in watching the tide Of nf-
fairs. He had. to all appearances. the
! pledge of the Montana delegation and MIR.
Power always stood out staunchly for him.
Mr.. Morris did not have the commodore's
support and Col. Sanders was also luke
warm OIL the subject. The trouble with
MIR. Morris seemed to be that he Was too
honest and ne, er lot party obligations over
ride his honest convictions. In this con-
ne ction il may not bs ont Of place to state
that MIR. Morris entertained views on the
precinct 81 steal that reached the ears OF
the pseudo senator's and this proved .
weighty handicap 70 his chances. u Is also
probable that Mr.. Power did not overlook
. chance 10 get even with Mr.. Mori Is for the
lIatter's attitude while he was acting mayo
ON the bids for furnishing sew ~ pipe. II v. .
. trying situation. Only two BIDS wee