Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-25


vs.. Con.
Special Correspondents OF tAs Register.
NEwBURG, w. VA, December "a
Reference has been made in most OF the
leading newspapers that the appoint
ment of Gof and Elklns meant the
electoral vote Of West Virginia for the
Republican party. That the appoint
ment OF Elkins was made for political
purposes has been fully demonstrated
in this town by the removal OF the post
mistress, Mrs. Alice Paul, and the APP
pointment Of Mr.. John Perrill, loco
motive engineer. The readers Of the
REGISTER are familiar with the spirited
and acrimonious contest between Miss
Alice L. Paul and Mr.. John Perrlll Tor
the NeWburg poStoffice, when the Dem
ocratic postmaster, DR.. VIM. Nj.
Dent. was removed by Headsman
Clarkson. 1t attracted more attention
than any contest In the State on ac-
connt of its bitterness. The late
samuel p. Mccormick, who was the
leader OF the Goff Republicans in Pres
ton county, espOused the cause OF MISS
paul while Senators Dawson and
Morley, who represented the Elklns
element Of the party, espoused the
cause OF Perrill. II will be remembered
that the appointments Of postmaster
for Newburg hung fire for quite
while. and one day IL would be rumored
that Miss Paul was appointed and the
next day the news would come that
Perrin had received the appointment.
During this time numerous delegations,
composed Of the local politicians
would make pilgrimages to the shrine
OF Golf 10 confer with the BROAD
shield of American law" while the del
egates Of the other faction would wend
their way 10 Washington and other
points, 70 consult with the man OF star
Route fame. The contest became so
hitter that the leaders OF the party
throughout the State were drawn into
the contest, and such shining lights as
John w. Mason, Goo. w. Atkinson,
Geo. c. SturgisS and Marshal White
took an active part in il. After over
month OF wragling, and the ventilation
OF the record OF each other, the
contest terminated by the appointment
OF Miss Paul. The Cot men were nat
urally jubilant over their victory and
tossed their headgear into the air with
many explosions Of dithyrambic Joy at
what they conceived 10 be the recogni-
ton OF Cot as the sole dispenser OF
public patronage under the Harrison
administration. To say the Elkins men
were mad would be putting il mildly,
and they resolved then and there 70
have revenge, which they made no sec
ret. but proclaimed on every occasion.
As soon as the news OF Gen. COTS APP
uointment TO a. JudgeShip became
known the ElkinS men seemed 70 be
wonderfully pleased, and the next thing !
was a visit % Washington by the local
bosses.
In q few days Mr. Perrill received his
commission as Postmaster AZ New0urg. !
In the meantime, the Postmistress get
ting wind of what was going on, did I
not propose 70 be turned ont without /
hearing, so she left on the first rain for /
Washington. When she arrived az the /
Postofice Department she was directed /
10 the Office of the Fourth Assistant /
Postmaster General, who, it was claimed, /
had made the change. After stating /
her case 10 the gentleman, he said there /
were no charges preferred and the New
burg pOStOftice was rated Al, and that |
as he had heard her side OF the queS- /
ton he assured her that his SympathieS /
were with her, but be was pOwerlesS
20 change the result. lie said be would be /
frank ana say that the change was made
mon the recommendations Of the lead
ers Of the party, who said they wanted
the Office purely for political purposes"
as 10 was represented that those in
charge Of the Office did not NEEDLE
themselves with politics, and had no in
nuence with voters, while the other
party was o political worker and the
leader ia his locality. AT this point OF
the conversation who should enter the
office but WIN. VI. O. Dawson, Geo. c.
John w. Mason and Marshal
White, who had called TO ''straighten
out the Newburg post Office" but when
they espied the poStmlstreSs Qt never
occurred 70 them that she /
was any closer than Newburg), |
they made haste 10 retrace their steps. |
The plucky little pOstmiStreSs demand
ed that the gentlemen come forward and |
state their charges and reasons, in her /
why she should be removed, |
but the gentlemen declined with thanks |
and left the building.
When 10 was learned that Marshal !
White was q member Of the delegation |
who desired the removal Of our post
mistress, our people could not under
stand it, inasmuCh as the Marshal was /
one Of the most ardent and enthusiastic /
she had during the first con- /
test. But the knowing ones alledge IL /
IS very clear 20 the thoughtful.
That the removal was inStigated by /
spite work and revenge, and for 'pOlit-
Ical purposes only, goes without say
ing. Mr.. John Perrill, the gentleman
who has received the appointment, says /
he will not attend TO the poStOtfice, and
his son Robert is quoted as saying that
he will not have anything 10 do with it.
But the Office was needed for political
and the SuppOSition is that
the local politicians will find
some one who wills receive and deliver
our malt IL is reported that the rest
Of the GOif men, who are pOstmaSter'S,
will DC removed az an early day, and IL
such is the case you can set il down as
a certainty that stephen B. ElkinS can
not carry the Banner Republican
county OF West Virginia" for his party.
This is no political buncOmbe.
BY DYNAMITE.