Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-26
THE CITY POsTMASTERSHIP.
RumOFs In Regard to an Appointment
Not Confirmed.


There were some people in Washington
this morning who believed tina. the sudden
change In the. weather indicated a probable
change In the city post office, and before
noon the rumors were flying about thick
and fast that Mr.. Sherwoods successor had
been definitely agreed upon and that every
other candidate. except Chief Clerk Frank
Thomas of the United States Post Office
Department. might as well withdraw his
recommendations, tear UP his application
and take a week off to screw his feelings UP
to a proper pitch to Withstand the shock In
store for him. Like all other rumors of q
similar character. which periodically break
loose. no definite origin could be discovered
whence they sprang upon their Journey but
they appeared to have something tangible
about them, for II was freely said that Mr..
Thomas had not only been made acquainted
with his ultimate appointment as postmas-
ter Of Washington, but that he had even
determined to continue present Assistant
Postmaster Merrill in that position.
Such information was not calculated to
cure the stiSmati sms In the eyes of those
gentlemen who have been watching Mr.
Henry Sherwcod's arm chair with covetous
steadiness, and there was excitement In
various camps of various candidates. These
rumors, like their predecessors, turned out
to be premature to say the least, because
Mr.. Frank Thomas did not file his applica-
ton to be appointed postmaster Of WASH
n,gton city until yesterday, and the present
administration has not been over jealous in
acting upon a former announcement of its
chief executive that the Office should seek
the man. Indeed, there are some individ-
aais who are willing to prove that the Of
noes nave displayed provoking pertinacity
10 evade the men who were best calculated
10 HI them-in their opinion.
What Mr.. Thomas Said.
MI Thomas formal applicat ton was pre-
ceded, however, by a canvass OF Wash
ington In behalf Of support which was
comprehensively arranged and systemati-
eaily carried out. He was at his desk in
the Post Office Department this morning
ana deprecated the idea that there was
any hght In progress among candidates for
the postms stership. He was as pleasant
anu cordial as 1t Is his attractive custom to
De. The facts in the case are these, SIM
ply, he remarked to a Star reporter, some
nrteen days ago 1 made up my mind to
become a candidate for appointment as
postmaster or this city. Yesterday / filed
my application for the place together with
some papers, of what l consider a pretty
good local sort. When the Postmaster Gem
eral returns expect he will take those
papers up and give them consideration
along with those of other gentlemen, who
may have such on file. That's about all
there is to be said, believe"
MT. 1homaS' papers are not open to the
inquiiiS pupiic eye, out II Is known they
are numerous and strong 1t Is generally
known that the men In distinct lines of
business were called upon and asked to
support Mr.. Thomas by individuals engaged
In the same ventures. For instance the
manager OF a prominent uptown hotel I'M
dertook to interest the hotel men, and so
on through the other branches.
The Friends of Other Candidates.
Mr.. Thomas wide popularity. which he
attained while in private business here
caused the responses to these requests to
be numerous. A great many Of the letters
written In his behalf. row ever, accompa-
MED the request for his appointment with
the proviso that 1t would be favored IL q
change in the Office was necessary, as a
large number of business men who do not
recognize the right of political parties to
make changes in offices like the city post
masters are enXious that the present ad-
Tinistration on G street should be contin-
ued. 1t is not known how many Of the
letters worded in this way were filed with
Mr.. Thomas application.
The entrance of Mr.. Thomas to the arena
also had the effect of stirring up tine friends
of Mr. w. d. Peachy to renewed effort in
his behalf, while those interested In Mr.
Robert Beall's candidacy pro ceeded to saw
wood with prodigious energy, ami to say
nothing. I'm strict accordance with their past
records
The lines have been drawn tightly on
each and every side; strasglers have been
brought in and there is nothing more to be
done until the President knocks off the
plum and selects the recipient. Postmaster
Geaeral Bissell will return next week, and
the papers Of the various candidates have,
lie is understood. been ordered to be in readi-
ness for his examination then.
II Will break no condolences to say that
in the meantime. quiet effort Is being
made by influential men to have the ex-
pected change postponed indefinitely.