Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-11-12
TERRITORIAL POSTOFFLCBS
Board of Referees Acting in Harmony
and COncert-0ut of 60 Recon-
mendati0ns 50 We're In
animOuS.
SANTA Fl CASE NOT YET CONSIDERED
Candidates and How Indorsed-S. o
Fletcher Not a Candidate-Secre-
tary Wallace Not Pledged
to Him

A correspondent of the Las Vegas Optic
recently stated in letter from Santa Fe
that there was marked difference of
opinion as to postoffioe appointments
between Governor Otero, Secretary Wal
lace and Collector Morrison, to whom
applications for appointments to post
offices are referred, and that among other
postoffices over which disputes arose in
recent meeting, were those of Gallup and
Santa Fe. A representative of the NEW
MEXICAN called on these officials and as
certained that there is no truth whatever
in the statement and that the relations
between the mem bers of the board are OF
a most amicable ana cordial character.
In fact some 60 recommendations have so
far been made by the board, all but two
having been unanimous, and in but two
cases were the recommendations OF a
majority and minority character, and
these two cases were not Gallup nor Santa
Fe. 1t seemed in these two cases that
one member of the board was oompro-
mised for certain candidates, whereas the
local organizations recommended other
applicants, which latter view was con-
Cured in by two members of the board.
The Optics correspondent also ro-
mances deal concerning the Santa Fe
postoffice case, stating that Secretary
Wallace was strongly in favor of the ap-
| pointment of Mr.. s. 0. Fletcher of this
city to the office of postmaster.
| The fact is, and this is given after care
full investigation of the case, that Mr..
Fletcher is not candidate, has filed no
petition, and that Secretary Wallace,
while friendly to Mr.. Fletcher and his
family, does not favor his appointment
and furthermore that Mr.. Fletcher has
never asked the secretary for his support.
A friend of Mr.. Fletcher's some time since
approached the secretary upon the matter
and WAS told it was out of the question,
as Mr.. Fletcher was not q resident here
and could not be thought of by him, the
secretary, for the position.
| The candidates for the place are Mr..
| Simon Nusbaum, who has very strong
support from the local and territorial
organizations and ia largely Endorsed by
| the leading businessmen, merchants and
patrons of the Office. Mr.. Milo Hill, who
has some local support, and Mr.. Jacob
Weltmer, who has turned over the recon
mendations he secured for the office OF
internal revenue collector for the use in
his ambition for reappointment as post
master.
1t is understood that Collector Morri
son favors Mr.. Nusbaum's appointment
and that Governor Otero will be guided
by the wishes of the Republican organi
cations and of the people of the city
Secretary Wallace assured q representa-
tive of the NEW MEXICAN, that he would
do his duty in the premises conscientious
ly and honestly, just as he has tried to de
ia every case so far before the board o
referees. The NEW MEXICAN fully believes
that such will be the case.
Indeed, the past record of the thre'
members of the board shows concluslvel.
that they, in making recommendations
have tried to do their duty by the peopl
and the Republican party honestly an'
fearlessly, have not been actuated by per
sonal motives, have listened to and hav
needed the desires of the leading Re
publicans of the territory and of the sec
tions interested and have paid due regar'
and attention to public wishes. In nj
instance has on improper recommends
, ton been yet made or an improper mai
been yet appointed.
The matter of the appointing emit Of post
masters primarily is with the people o
each city or town. If they sign petition
for certain men as applicants and tn
board heeds these petitions, the patron
of the Office who sign these petitions ar
responsible. Where there are severa
applicants about equally Endorsed, o
course the board exercises it's own discre
ton. That the territorial and county or
ganizatlons should have a voice IN tn
selection of postmasters is but natural
right apd proper. The members OF tn
board have the best interests of the PEG
pie and of the Republican party at hear
are acting accordingly and have so ia
been remarkably successful in the selec
ton of proper, honest and competen
| persons.