The record-union., 1893-03-23
PUBLIC PATRONAGE.
One Man Who Declined to Accept G
Important Office.

One Man Who Declined to Accept an
Important Office.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-One of the
most interesting developments of the day
at the White House was that the fact be-
came known that the Commissionership
OF Pensions was offered to ex-Congress-
man Wheeler of Michigan and declined.
Wheeler had long talk with the Presi-
dent yesterday upon the subject, and at
the conference the offer was made.
Wheeler told Cleveland that ne did not
feel himself capable physically of assLm-
ing the laborious duties involved in the
important position, although he appreci-
ated very highly the compliment.
Among the callers at the White House
to-day was Representative Washington,
who had with him six constituents whom
he presented to Cleveland. B. NJ. Hoard,
ex-Commissioner of Agriculture of Ten
nessee, came in the interest of his own
candidacy for Assistant Commissioner of
Agriculture. Walter Cain and Thomas
Spofford came in behalf of Ernest Pillow,
a relative of the noted Confederate Gem
eral, who desires the position of Assistant
Attorney-General for the Interior De-
partment.
Congressman Hall, Representative
elect Baldwin and Dan Lawler, all of
Minnesota, presented the name OF Lewis
Baker, editor of the ST. Paul Globe, for
Minister to Brazil, Harry Hawkins of
Duluth for Governor of Alaska, and C.
F. Mcdonald, Receiver OF the Land
Office at st. Cloud.
A committee of non-union EMPLOYING
printers OF this city called on Cleveland
and presented petition signed by nom
union men relative to his selection of
Public Printer, and protesting against
the effort made by delegation of union
printers to induce Cleveland not to ap-
point c. w. Edwards of Delaware to the
Office, on the ground that he is not
union man.
Five members of the Missouri delega-
ton in Congress called at the Postoffice
Department to-day and held conference
with Postmaster-General BIssell, The
delegation desired some expression from
General Bissell as to what weight would
be given to recommendations of mem
bers of Congress in the appoint
ment of Postmasters. 1t had been re-
peatedly stated in the newspapers, it was
said, that congressional influence was
to go for nothing.
Bissell listened attentively to all that
was said, but did not think he could Justly
be held responsible for what had been
published in the newspapers, and he
called attention to the fact that thus far
not single Postmaster had been ap-
pointed who had not the Endorsement of
member of Congress. He thought,
however, the question of candidates
should in a measure at least be decided
by the people of the locality. What he
most desired was that he should have the
benefit of advice of the people, as we'll as
that of their representative in Congress.
No one would in any sense be ignored,
and it was folly to suppose that the assist
ance, advice and recommendations of men
of such high character as representatives
of the people in Congress would not
earnestly be desired. Bissell said he un-
derstood a statement was published that
no women were TO be appointed to post
masterships, and the newspapers were
also to be Disseminated against. Neither
of these stories were true, and he regret
ted their publication. He bade the dele
CATION good day, and hoped they would
come to see him whenever they had any
thing to say in regard to appointments in
his department.