The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-07

Special DiGpateh 10 ne IaisligeneT
WASHINGTON, D. G.. Dec, 6.-The news
of the nomination OF NJ. J. o'Kans to be
postmaster at Wheeling, to succeed W.
J. W. oowden, the Republican incum-
bent, will cause no surprise in Wheel
ing, as 1t has been known all along that
Mr.. Pendleton had selected Mr.. o'Kane
for the position, Notwithstanding the
strong opposition to him. Mr.. o'Kane's
name was sent to the senate this after
noon and he will doubtless be con-
frmed without delay SO that he can
take charge of the Office Immediately on
the expiration of Mr.. Cowden's commits
sion.
The facts that Mr.. Pendleton an
nounced several months ago that Mr..
O'Kane would receive the plum, and
that all other aspirants had in conse-
ouence ceased to make an active con-
test, render the appointment void OF any
sensational features, such as those
which usually characterize the result Of
q bitter fight over federal Office. It
was known that the nomination would
be made about this time and there was
no doubt about who would receive 1t.
WHY THEY FAILED.
There have been desperate efforts
made to have Mr.. Cowden removed be-
fore, but the decision OF the postmaster
general and the President that his
term would not expire until the end Of
the fourth year from the date Of his
commission was adhered to in spite OF
all the pressure that could be brought
10 bear to convince the appointing
power that it expired in four years
from the date Of his appointment.
When it was found that this argu-
ment wonld not work an effort was
made to have Mr.. Cowden removed on
charges Of offensive partisanship, but
without success.
The interest in the matter, and the
desire to have Mr.. Cowden removed
we're not confined to Wheeling. DEM
Gratis from all parts Of the state wore
anxious TO sec the removal made, be-
cause of their intense political hatred Of
Mr.. Cowden, on account OF his activity in
the management OF the Republican
campaigns in the past. As chairman OF
the Republican state committee he was
a thorn in the flesh OF the West Vir-
ginia Democracy, and they would have
been glad to have had his official scalp
as one Of the first trophies Of the Demo-
cratic victory of last year.
DON'T PLEASE THEM.
But the President was obdurate. He
couldn't sec why, il Mr. Cowden was an
efficient officer, Che should be turned
out before the expiration OF his term,
simply because he had ably conducted
two or three Republican campaigns,
especially when his removal meant the
appointment to succeed him Of q man
who was quite as open to the charge OF
what Mr.. Cleveland himself would call
"pernicious activity"
This stand was not pleasing to West
Virginia Democrats in Washington. and
many we're the expressions Of disgust
with what they called the Presidents
"mugwumpery." But it did no good
and they were obliged TO takes their
medicine.
THE CAMPAIGN DEAL.
The appointment of Mr. o'Kane is
understood among West Virginians
here to be in payment OF campaign
debt due by Mr.. Pendletoa. It is an
open secret that the Office was promised
him in consideration of liberal cam
paiga contribution, and that at no time
we're the claims OF other applicants
seriously considered. When Mr.. PEN
dleton finally gave out that he had de-
cided TO recommend Mr.. 0kane for the
postofIice, 1t was not after q careful
weighing Of the merits Of all the other
aspirants, though they may have been
led to think so. It was simply the full
fillment OF an ante-election pledge. Mr..
O'Kane's friends will give Mr.. Pendle-
tor credit for keeping his promise, bu t
there are other Democrats. especially in
Wheeling, who have been thinking and
will continue to think very hard upon
the subject
ulGSN i tsNU hhhH=
A close friend OF Mr.. POndlctOn, a
Wheeling gentleman, intimOted to-
day that the deal which secured Mr..
o'Kane tho postofics includes some
thing more than the la.ter's individual
prefermant Mr.. Pcndletou, 1t is under
stood, ia to have decisive voice in the
matter Of filling She subordinate places
that do not cone under the civil service
law. It is said, for instance, that Mr..
Eugene HankO Is Mr.. Peudleton's selec-
tion ior assistant postmSster and that
Mr.. 0'Kane is so bound by the terms Of
the deul that he will ind 1t impossible
10 ignore the recommendation, though
Mr.. George Baird's friends have brought
great pressure to bear in his behalf.
Tho President also sent to the senate
to-day the name Of Frank D. Mccoy to
be postmaster at SisteEsville, West Vir'
Einia.
New PostmaStors.
Spteial Dispa,eh 10 he htsgiqelesc