The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-08-24
FAST MAIL SERVICE.
1t Was Mace Successful by Hon.
w. B. Thompson.
DISTINGUISHED MICHIGAN MAN.


ministration but Refused to DO Soils
Political Home at Hudson.
Washington, Aug. 24.-IIon. w. y.
Thompson of Hudson is one of the most
lily residing in Washington. He has
done more to develop, build up and per-
feet the railway mail service than any |
man now living, with the possible eX- |
ception of Hon. James n. Tyner of In |
diana, now assistant attorney general
for the postofflce department. and at
one time postmaster general.
Mr.. Thompson was born at Fort Ann,
n, Y, in August, 1888, and is now %
years Of age. He looks more like an
active, energetic business man of 40, be-
cause his health has always been per-
feet and his habits in life have been
in every sense correct. His eyes are
as clear and his gaze as piercing as
though he were beginning an aggressive
and ambitious career. He is as Intense
ly devoted 10 business affairs as though
his fortune were yet to be made.
Engaged in Lumber business.
When only 10 years old, Mr.. Thomp-
son engaged in numbering with several
Of his relatives, and when he was only
% years Of age he went TO Michigan
and settled at Hudson, which town is
still his political home and voting place.
People residing in the District of CO.
lumbia, whether in public life or pri-
vate business, are entitled to retain
their political status, and those who
are interested in national affairs al
homes
their ballots. MIR Thompson, there
fore, claims Hudson as his home, al
though his business interests require
his presence almost constantly in the
national capital
Very soon after moving to Michigan,
| thirty-six years ago. he enlisted in the
army and had three years of frontier
! service. He served as q lieutenant IN
! the Eighth and Eleventh Michigan cav
| airy and was commissioned as captain,
! but never was mustered in with that
! title and rank After leaving the army
he returned to Michigan and engaged
in the banking business at Hudson ana
has continued in that business directly
and indirectly up to the present time.
Entered Railway Mail Service.
In 1868 he was offered and accepted
a position in the railway mail service
and worked on a postal car between
| Toledo. o., and Chicago, Ills, for some
time. AS railway mail clerk he re-
ceiyed recognition at headquarters be-
cause Of the unusual accuracy or AL
his work. and the division superintend-
ent of that line recognized his ability
as a conscientious clerk, and he was
promoted from one grade to another un'
til he was made superintendent or the
first fast mail established in this coun
try. In 1875 the postmaster general es
tablished a fast mail line between New
. York and Chicago, and upon the rec
, ommendation of division superintend
ents. who knew him ard his work 81
well. Mr.. Thompson was made superin
tendent of that line.
The fast mail was made success
largely because of the untiring indus
try of Superintendent Thompson, an
he received numerous encomiums fror
the general superintendent Of the rail-
e wav mail service, the second asslstah
l. postmaser general, and the postmaste
? general also.
Il Services Were Conspicuous.
[ His services were so conspicuous, b
r, reason Of the superior ability displayed
T, that he was made superintendent OF IN
c, Ninth division of the railway ma
III service. and in 1878 was made generi
- ,,,na,interdent Of the entire posts
ID service of the country. 1t was he WI
IS, brought to this city Alexander C'rai
ed of Monroe, now assistant general 81
20 perintendent Of the railway man serVic
o; concerning whom letter was recent
published in this paper.
" During the administration or Pres
sh dent Arthur vacancy occurred III u
sh office of the second assistant postIias'
= general. At that time Hon. FRANK ma
~ ton of Iowa was postmaster senels
~ and he informed the president matt
er was no man in the country So COMP
tent and efficient to fill the ONCE
second assistant postmaster genera
the then superintendent or the raiiW'
" mail service, Mr.. w. b. Iholhpso
or President Arthur commissioned MIN sc
or ond assistant postmaster genera al
nd when the senate met in the toiioWi'
p December he was promptly conhrm
~ without dissenting vote
ns Always Republican,
az In notifies Mr.. Thompson always II
on been and today is stalwart hepu
rs ,,can. He has been delegate 10 IL
.45 ,nerous county and state conventio
II apd TO three national Republican Gu
80 ,,antions. Being an ultra Repupllcs
es AIR Thompson resigned the position
pts second assistant postmaster genera
red coon as President Cleveland was
* ouqurated in March, 1885. HIS resisi
.25 ton was not Immediately accepted
postmaster General Villas reques'
him again and again to continue III
! office. Mr. Thompson positiVeiy
VI cIined TO serve under a Democratic
9ac ,,,inistration. He said THAI ne
1er willing to do anything to assist MS s.
ly; cessor in learning the postoiilce pu
to ness but he was too radical Kep'
n ,ican TO hold a position under Den
90, cratic administration. He pelieVes u
'ns the snoils belong TO the victors III
sS Iitical life. and is still inclined 10 u
md Relief despite the growth Of civil ser'
$50 reform ideas. -
esh since leaving the postofhce oepa
90 won't Mr.. Thompson has been prii
~. pally engaged in Washington as
~ ~. commemorative of several pronilil
e. railway systems before the execu'
1Oc denartments of the government. ~
to believed that he has a greater pusii
10; ~ this character than any o,ner
.25; 80 h,d In the national capital.