Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-03-24
TIE POSTOFFICE.
~ INTERVIEW WITH FERD
 HAVIS.
so,s the Matter Has Been Referred to the Executive Committee and He Thinks His Chances Good
 for the Appointment.

4hot the contest for the appointment sf postmaster in this city was now satween Ford Havis and Oscar snellman, and that other applicants ror the position had already been practically eliminated by the Repub- i;eaa State Committee, or, rather, flat such was understood in Repub- lican circles. Thinking probably tba nublic would like to know more of this, our reporter met Ferd Havis and asked him if such was true. He ranIied that it was his opinion that onr statement in the GRAPHIC Fri day was correct, as he believed. We then asked him what really had been done by the central committee. He replied that the central commit tee was composed of fifty-seyen members, consisting of Gen. Clay ton. Henry M Cooper, W. H. H. Clayton and other prominent Re publicans; that they had agreed on all presidential appointments in Arkansas, except the postofiee here, which they could not, or rather, did not agree upon; that they referred this matter to the executive com mittee. which is composed of Gen. Clayton, Henry M. Cooper, M. ". Gibbs, Col. w. G. Whipple, Judge Stalls, Judge Trieber, J Douoaoos B. M. Foreman, w s. Holt, Gen. Wheeler, D. D. Cole c. N. Kicks and II. L. Remmel, for Q decision, who are to settle it during the month of April, by recommending a name to the President for the ap= pointment.
 He was then asked what he thought of his chances, and whether his appointment would be accept able generally to the people of Pine Bluff. He replied that he believed his prospects are very Aattering; that he did not know, oreven dream of Mr. SpeHman becoming a eandi- date until day or so ago, because he did not live in Pine Bluff, and had never resided here, and only became citizen of the county a few years ago, and was surprised when informed by Mr. Spelman that he was a candidate and would move to Pine Bluff shortly in aid of his can didacy. "As to whether my ap- pointment will be acceptable to our citizens, l can only say this: l was born in Arkansas, in Desha couLty, was slave, came to Pine Bluff in 1858, and have lived in this town and city ever since. Next to Judge Bocage and Col. Grace, I believe can come as near calling the names of all people of old Pine Bluff as any man living, and probably as well known to all the citizens of the city as any man who lives in it. So, you see, have lived here nearly forty years, and if l have not been throughout this long period of time respectable and orderly citizen, our people know it. While l have been since l became of age, a true Republican and generally regarded as one of the leaders of my party in this county, yet, l believe l car boast of the good will of all the Democrats in it, nine-tenths oI whom l know personally.
 For ten years I held the office o. circuit clerk and for twenty-five years a city councilman, and during that period no charge of official mis conduct was ever laid to me, MJ friends here are among the white a' well as the colored people, and som' of my best friends are among Demo crats. During my candidacy fol this position, many Democrats hay' assured me of their good will ant a desire for my appointment, since Republican is to receive the posi- tion. As to Republicans in our city believe that 90 per cent. of then desire my appointment. So, tn much, at least, l give you as a req son for believing that my appoint ment as Republican would be en hrely acceptable to our people aa' patrons of the office. If it is to D awarded on the ground of long ant faithful service to party, no one,
 am told, should be selected over me but whether l am appointed or not Fine Bluff will always be my hom and ] will be buried in the sam graveyard here with my old whit and colored friends" And with thl remark, Havis turned the corne and passed down the street.