Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-02-18
POSTELL REJECTED
THE SENATE REFUSES TO CONFIRM
HIS NOMINATION.
a Lively Discussion Dyer the Matter
Judge Landes DefeYds Postem-One DEM
ocrat Voted Yfth the Republicans.

The Segate knocked out the nomi-
nation Of John W. Postell, the colored
choice of the Governor, Friday reject
ing the nomination by 20 to II. The
proceedings in the Senate were report
ed to the Times as follows: Soon
after the Senate met this morning
Mr.. Goebel from the Committee on
Judiciary, reported unfavorably the
appointment by the Governor of Pos.
tell, the negro, to be Steward of the
Hopkinsville asylum. At once there
was an excitement in the Senate
chamber, and the lobby and floors
soon filled up with interested spec
tators.
DR.. James, Republican, made a
short speech in favor of confirming
the nomination, the report of the
committee to the contrary notwith-
standing.
Then Judge Sims, of Trigg, took
the floor and in speech that lasted
till the Joint session hour arrived, he
shook the rafters. He told them that
the Governor had named this neglo
for this responsible position not be-
cause he could find no responsible,
decent, capable white Republican,
but because he wanted to humiliate,
degrade and insult the hundreds of
helpless white inmates in the Hop
kinsville Asylum. His speech was
full of just such direct hits at the USE
less course, if not excuseless, course,
of the Cover in this matter, He
was followed by Judge Landes Re,
publican.
After the joint session the Senate
went back to the discussion of the
Postell appointment, with Judge
Landes on the floor. Judges Landes'
speech was more an apology than an
argument. '.
Senator Bronston also made a fire
speech upholding the report. He
said that he had no prejudice against
Postell as a negro, and would gladly
vote to confirm the nomination of a
negro to place suited to him, but
never for one such as this. Mr.
Bronston was not only eloquent, but
there was reason and logic in his
speech.
The session had been extended, and
at 2:30 o'clock the vote on the ques-
ton of confirming the nomination
was taken. Senator Thomas HI.
Hays voted with the Republicans,
and the vote stood seventeen for con-
firmation and twenty against it.
The news that the Postell case had
been finally disposed of created
quite little stir in our city. 1t had
been known for some time that there
was no prospect for a confirmation.
Speculation as to who would next be
nominated at once became lively and
is still going on.
It was regarded as almost certain
that Alex Anderson would be appoint.
ed to the place. He claims to have re-
fused the appointment before and it
is said DR.. Letcher is anxious to have
him in the Stewards office. 1t is
farther understood that Inspector
Lester left here with the intention of
recommending Anderson as soon as
he got to Frankfort.
1t was confidently expected that
his nomination would be sent to the
Senate yesterday and the friends of
Postell spent considerable time in ex-
amining the records of the Circuit
Clerks office getting up data to fight
his confirmation in the Senate. They
claim to have made many discoveries
that will startle the public, when the
court records are brought to light.
| If Gov Bradley will only nominate
him, we will see one of the liveliest
scraps between the RAIDS that has
ever amused the lookers-on.
Mr.. Anderson left for Frankfort
Saturday and it is supposed he wa:
summoned by the Governor. John
Postell also went in response to a
telegram and it is believed he will be
offered some other position, perhaps
a clerk in the Auditors Office.