Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-05
THE CITY POSTMASTERSHIP
1t is Believed That an Appointment Will
Soon Be Made.
The Opinion In Expressed That the
President Has Made Up His Mind
Various RumOrs.

The next local office of Importance that
will require the consideration of the Presi-
dent Is that Of the city postmastership.
the four years term Of Mr.. Henry L.
Sherwood, the incumbent, will expire in a
few days. He was nominated by President
Harrison September 10. 1870, to succeed Mr..
Ross, who had been appointed District
Commissioner. The Senate confirmed the
nomination September 13. $780, only three
days after its submission. Several days
were consumed in the filing and examina-
tion of the official bond, and it was not until
September 25 following that Mr.. Sherwood's s
commission was formally issued by the
President. Although there is a difference
OF opinion as to the exact date on which
Mr.. Sherwood's term expires, there Is no
doubt whatever that 1t certainly does not
extend beyond the 25th instant
1t Is, therefore. apparent that action
must soon be taken in this matter in order
that there may be no interruption In the
business OF the local post office. The mat
ter Is now before the Postmaster General.
All the letters received by the President re-
lsting to this office have been referred to
the Post Office Department, without hav-
ing undergone the formality Of being re-
corded. These include personal applications
didates.
1t is said that the President desired the
Pe estmaster General to personally consider
them. In order to get the benefit Of his
judgment as to the merits of the respective
candidates. Although the President may be
irnIenced by the report of Mr.. Bissell, 1t Is
will dictate the appointment.
The President Prepared.
AS Is well known, the President takes a
special interest In all District appointments
and invariably gives them his personal at
tention. The papers bearing on the WASH
ington postmastersnip were referred to the
Post Office Department in the usual rou-
tine Of business, and that fact in itself is
of no special significance. In view Of the
necessity for prompt action, 1t is possible
that the President will call upon the Post
master General for all the papers, or he
may invite that official to come to the sum-
mer executive mansion On Buzzard's bay to
talk it over. There is an impression, how
ever, that neither course indicated will be
necessary, for the reason that President
Cleveland settled the whole thing in his
mind long before he went to Gray Gables,
appointment at what he considers the
proper time for 1t.
The Rumors AAOat.
The gossips have 1t that the postmaster
ship was practically settled when the Presi-
dent decided on the marshalship. the Dis
trict Commissionership and the recorder
ship, and that the leading local politicians
received a quiet intimation to that effect.
1t is difficult to prove this theory, and 1t is
given for what 1t is worth. The President
may have made up a slate of District ap-
pointments. and he may not, and he may
have already selected postmaster for
Washington, and he may not have done So.
In view of the positive assertions of those
who claim to know. however, the impression
Is gaining that the matter Is practically set
tied.
There is a large field for speculation as to
the personality Of Mr.. Sherwoods successor,
and it is being freely indulged in by many.
number of names have been mentioned.
and one Of them may be the right one.
Two names that are especially conspicuous
In this matter at present are Mr.. w. d.
Peachy and Mr.. Frank H. Thomas. The
former is an official in the city post office.
The friends Of Mr.. Thomas assert that he
stands an excellent chance of appointment.
The same claim. however, Is made for Mr..
Peachy and several Of the other well-known
candidates.
May Wait Till Congress Meets.
In other quarters 1t is thought that pos
sibly the President may not make the ap-
pointment until Congress meets. 1t is
said that some of the candidates them
selves are inclined to this view, but are
getting their Endorsements ready SO that
IN case there should be a sudden call for
the papers they would not be in the fix of
the proverbial foolish virgin whose lamp
was not trimmed and burning. Mr.. Thomas
Is conducting vigorous campaign by col
lecting individual letters indorsing his ap-
plication, while Mr.. Peachy, 1t is under
stood, is circulating petitions
Possible Dark Horse.
Both candidates are keeping a sharp
lookout for dark horse in the race and
in this connection have their eye on Mr..
Jim" Willett, who, it will be remembered
was a strong candidate for the postmaster
ship under Mr.. Cleveland's former admin
istration, but who has not up to this time
publicly announced himself as a partici-