Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-16
DISTRICT OFFICES
A Revival of Interest in the Post
ma8tership.
MIR. GARDNER MAY Be PERSUADED
Civil Service Refonners Suggest
Mr.. Shewood's Retention.
MANY PAPERS ON FILE

The approaching return of Presldcn,
Cleveland TO Washington has caused a re-
newai Of interest In the matter of the local
federal Offices the terms OF whose incum-
bents have expired, and District democrats
are again on the anxious seat regarding its
distribution. 1t is well known that the ap-
pearanca Of Chief Clerk Frank Thomas of
the Pest Office Department on the field as a
candidate for appointment postmaster
changed the cor plexion of the contest to a
very great extent. His campaign for sup
port was conducted with much shrewd wis
dom. and II was not until he had secured
the Endorsements Of a great many business
men and politicians that he made formal
application for the place. The other candi-
dates. however. were made aware of the
new Richmond with whom they had to con-
tend. and exerted extra efforts in their own
behalf The consequence is that there is
now on file in the Post Office Department
Awaiting the attention Of Mr.. Bisseil and the
President such an array of recommends
tions of the several applicants for The
Washington post office that 1t will be III IL
cult for them to Cecide which has the
strongest backing. Such II fiuence, however.
does not always count in the result where
adm inistratiOn favOrs are to be distributed,
are the most formidable candidates so far
as their filed force is concerned. the friends
of Mr.. Robert Beall appear to be confident
that he will succeed Mr. Sherwood, while
there IS widespread belief tfat Mr.. James
p. Willett Will be slated for the position.
Backed by civil Service Reformers.
Other influences are at work, however,
that may upset all present calculations A
very strong effort is being made by those
L.. xg,..tr
vice reform to have Postmaster Sherwood
renominated The individuals interested in
this movement say his administration of
the affairs Of the office. and particularly the
policy he has pursued in regard to its per-
Eopnel. have won for him the approval of
all admirers Of the good government which
a strict obs5 s5TvanCe of the rules of civil ser
vice will assure. The attention of President
Cleveland has been called to the fact that
he las rare opportunity to emphasize his
favor Of civil service reform by con-
unuinS in office the man who has
made his department the model which
IL POINTED to for imitation by all
civil service champions. The very large
sonservatlve element in Washington. which
has noticed ard appreciated the improved
postal service il has enjoyed of late years
IS also favorable to Mr.. SherwOOd's reten-
ton. in order that he may have an oppor-
tLnity 10 carry out his IDEAS to perfect the
postal system in the District.
Nr. Gardner May BE Persuaded.
There is also another important factor to
be taken into consideration in future dis
cussiOns OF the post office matter. 1t has
teen pretty generally admitted fact that
Mr.. Lawrence Gardner could have the ap-
pOintment Of postmaster if he asked for 1t.
Mr.. Gardner. however, has never asked for
a local federal OffiCe. and steadily declined
to do 50 every Ole of the innumerable times
he was Trsed 10. At present he is being
again argued with by his friends, especial
ly those uf national prominence, with whom
he is Intimately engage in campaign work,
10 overcome his SCrupleS and become a
candidate FOR the place. When the work of
the democratic congressional committee
clos - he Will be at leisure, and some of
those most anxious for him TO enter the
lists for the post Offte seem to think that
their continued urging may eventually lead
lin to do so.
The office Of register Of wills is not the
object OF such a contest as the post Office
and IL Is believed Mr.. Dorsey Clagett, the
incu:nbrrt during Mr. Clrveland's first ad-
mtnlStrati1n, will be chosen, although il is
understood that the friends of Mr. Ward
MOhun are pushing him for the place
Regarding the date Of the aupuintnents
the impression prevails In circles usually
Wei Informed that 1t viii be sometime In
the early part Of January.