The Washington times., 1894-06-04
ALREADY WORN INTO RAGS
A South Dakota Appointee Will Likely
Stop an Obnoxious Custom.
PETTIGREW TO BRING IT ABOUT
Tinsley, Who Lives in the Senator's Town.
Was Appointed Postmaster. But Fails OF
Confirmation Democratic Members Of Post
Office Committee Will Recommend Him.

That ancient bugaboo Senatorial court
esy" has been severely disregarded In the
American House of Lords during the current
session. Some savage growls have passed
back and forth across the middle aisle, that
outside of political life would have led to
blows. perhaps "pistols and coffee" but the
hull of that empty chestnut still remains In
the path OF common sense and progress.
One OF the relics of this ancient tradition is
upon the post office appointment in his home
town regardless of tho politics OF the appli-
cant. The simple statement that the appointee
is personally Objectionable to the Senator, for
whose town the postmaster is appointed, Is
excuse enough for a majority OF that august
body to turn him down regardless Of any
other consideration.
But this custom, long since made redicu-
lous, is now to be put aside. At any rate SO
say such Democratic leaders as Villas and
Jones' and the test is to come this week.
To begin in the beginning, two months ago
the name of A. d. Tinsley was sent to the
Senate as postmaster of Sioux Fails, 5. ID.
Mr. Tinsley's confirmation is still hanging
flre-all because Senator Pettigrew is opposed
10 his appointment. and Pettigrew lives IN
Sioux Falls. For two months Tinsley has
been scheming to circumvent the ancient
tradition, and at last he thinks he has sue
ceeded.
Like most desirable post Office appoint
ments, there were half dozen men and one
woman that wanted the Job of selling stamps
at Sioux Falls. Senator Kyle had candi-
date, Senator Pettigrew. though Repubii-
can, had d Democrat he wanted to reward,
and there were other candidates without any
Senatorial backing.
OF these was Tinsley. He was not supposed
to have any show at first and in a compile
mentary way both the Senators were caJoled
into saying that Tinsley's appointment. while
not satisfactory. would not be Objectionable.
With this 10 work on, Tinsley began working
and secured the appointment, Kyle having in
the meantime withdrawn his Endorsement
from his candidate.
Relying on Pettigrew's statement, Tinsley
looked for speedy confirmation. Failing to
get it he cast about for some other appoint
ment and found a placc-that of bank exam.
iner for South Dakota--held by one OF Petit
Crews closest personal and political friends.
He secured the promise of his job in case he
was not confirmed by the Senate, and then
played to knock out that hoary humbug,
senatorial courtesy. Pettigrew was given the
choice of withdrawing his objection, or fore
ting his protege out of the bank examiner
ship.
Right here the table turned. It became
known that Pet;igrew had stated to the POST
master General that he would not object to
Tinsley. Mr.. Bissell in letter to the Senate
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads
says so. The Democratic members OF the
committee, acting upon this statement, will
on Tuesday next vote to recommend Tinsleys
confirmation. Then the question goes into
the Senate. and the prediction is that Sen
atorial courtesy will be called in out Of the
wet,