The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-28
O. |. MERRITT THE MAN.
HE HAS BEEy PRACTICALLr AP-
POINTED POSTMASTER.
She is Being Aliensted-A Dshghuoi
Dance-Fastcst on Record-in the
Cburches-small Vote Polled.
MANCHESTER BUREAU RICHMOND ZINES
If11 Hrtrr arrrr.r REATTIR BLOCK.

PEOPLE Of this city for several weeks mas
been Iractlc ally settled a. last, ana theTe
is now scarcely a shadow Of a doubt that
Mr 0. J. Merritt will handle Uncle sam
mail touches in Manchester during Mr.
Cleveand's administration, at least
Congressman Wise has experienced
some difficulty in deciding VINO to indorse
for this Office, as all six OF the apph-
cants-Messrs. James 4. Abbott, H. -
Ferguson, DBL. Toney, william Ball. W.
r. Pitt and o. l. Merritt-were poiitlcai
friends of his, and worked for MS cleo
ton during the last congressional cam
paign. Mr. Merritt, however presented
the strongest Endorsements from the peo-
pie OF Manchester, about 70 per cent. OF
whom. i. IS said, were In favor OF MS
appointment For some time the ques-
ton was a delicate one with the Congress
man, and ne expressed himself IN favor
of holding a primary to decide the mat
ter. To this end a meeting was neid, az
which were present number OF prominent
citizens, together with the several april
cants for the office. After discussing the
matter il was decided TO abandon the
idea OF the primary, and again the ques-
applicants being willing to let the Con-
gresham decide.
Several Of Mr.. Merritt's friends, who
have recently seen Mr.. Wise, and talked
with him on the subject, stated to MI
Merritt that the Congressman had III
formed them that 1t would be only
question of a short time before the name
of Mr.. Merritt would be presented TO the
President for appointment
The Congressman asked one OF the
gentlemen who visited him relative TO
the matter, how the people OF Man
chester REGARDED Mr.. Merritt as can
didate. The gentleman replied that about
three-fourths of those who had taken any
marked interest in the matter were IN
favor of Mr.. Merritts appointment, ana
that he thought the others would soon
come over Mr.. Wise then stated that In
consequence Of Mr. Merritts active ana
faithful work for the Democratic party
in this district. he thought that ii was
only proper that the preference be shown
him. and that he would act accordingly.
| saw Mr.. Merritt yesterday afternoon
and asked him If the report that ne was
appointed 10 the office was true lie re-
piled that he was in receipt of Information
from MIR Wise, though friends of hP
who had recently seen the Congressman
10 the effect that the matter was prac-
tically settled. and that in a short time
his name would be presented 10 MI
Cleveland for office.
Mr.. Merritt has been a thorough-going
straightout Democrat for twenty years
and has done valuable and faithful ser
vice for the party in this district. Dur
ing the last gubernatorial and congress
sional campaign he worked hard Tor the
election Of Mr.. Wise, and rendered VAL
liable assistance 10 the party He is one
Of the most active party workers in Man
| chester and. as a political hustler
around the polls, his services are al
WAYS I'm demand. 1 talked with several
prominent citizens in regard TO the matter
yesterday, and each Of them expressed
the opinion that Mr.. Wise would not go
wrong in indorsing Mr.. Merritt for the
office They thought the latter deserved
TO be appointed in consideration Of his
activity in behalf of the Democratic
party, and thought he would fill the office
TO the satisfaction of Uncle Sam, as
well as TO the people Of Manchester.
The postmastership here pays salary
Of sixteen hundred dollars. In addition
TO this commission Of about seventy-five
dollars per annum is attached and
500 for the distribution Of the Swans
boro mail. The salary will be increased
one hundred dollars next july making
in all about $500 per annum. out or
this amount the postmaster has 10 en-
ploy his assistants, which can be Sc
cured for about 5000 or 500. The present
postmaster is Thomas II. Smith (Repub-
lican).
The postoffice will be closed Wednes-
day after 10 o'clock.
Hereafter Sunday hours at the post
Office will be from $3.50 to 1870 o'clock.
This change is made or account Of the
change in the arrival of the mails.
Ii looks as If some arrests will be made
growing out of the letter which Gov
ernor Mckinney recently referred 10 Com
monwealth's Attorney Cogbill, Of Ches-
terrified The letter asked the Governor
TO allow the writer 10 protect himeslf,
and was signed by w. e. Gordon, a
colored man. 1t seems that Gordon was
recently driven away from his own house
at the point Of a loaded gun in the
hands Of his wife. whose affections have
been alienated by a negro who has re-
Gently 'bobbed up" from Nottoway. Cor
don is said TO be a very peaceable man,
and stands we'll among those who know
him.
A delightful dance was given at the
residence of Mr.. T.; w. Wesger, on
Perry street, Friday night, by the Lit
tie Geraniums." The following we're
present:
Misses Minnie Weisiger. Sadie Chalk
ley. Gay Goolsby. Louise Goolsby. Kate
Cox, Maud Patteson, Amelia Pilson,
Ethel Archer, Leila Robertson, Mary
Turner, Mary Robertson, Mamie Wesi-
ger Ellen Weisiger, Mary Dorset, Char
lotte Pulliam, Ermine Wake, Alma
owens, Nina owen, Laura Taylor. Bessie
Page
Masters Sam Patteson Willis Puliam,
George Cox, Minor Bronaugh. Charlie
Turner, Clifton Robertson, Allen Taylor.
Charlie Page, Will Patteson, Lorain
Fendley, Kenneth McRae Robert Por-
ter. Royal Turpin. Emmett Turpin,
Thomas Turpin, Carter Turpin and Lau-
renee Page.
Professor c. S. Maurice, Of Manches-
ter, who is now in Philadelphia. recently
sent 10 the Leader a Philadelphia paper,
which contained the following dispatch
from Wilkesbarre, Penn:
"a new locomotive which was on
trial to-day on the ontario and Western
railroad. ran a mile in twenty-five Sc
conds This is at the rate Of two and
two-ffth miles a minute and one
hundred and forty-four miles an hour.
II Is claimed 10 be the quickest time
ever made by a locomotive"
IL will be remembered that the Pro-
fessor some time ago wrote a communi-
cation 70 a Richmond paper, in which he
claimed that steam power, and not cleo
trcity, would be the power OF the future.
He sent the above-quoted paragraph 10
show that he was on the right track.
The Ladies Aid Society Of the Presby-
terrain chuch have raised 1903 during the
past year for current expenses OF the