The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-02
THEY ARE INDIGNANT
arc tho Democratic Members OF Vfr
EInin DeIc.ntIOn ut Nashinrfnu

Efntn Delegation at Washington
! A special dispatch from Washington
20 the Baltimore Sun or yesterday has
the following interesting remarks to
make regarding the Bowden censorship:
! Democratic members Of the Virginia
delegation are indignant over ruling
or the Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General that all petitions for the estab-
! ilshment OF post-oifices must be referred
by the petitioners to ex-Representatiye
bowden, selected by the PostofIicc De-
partment as referee in all postonice mat
ters In Virginia except III districts repre-
scented by Republicans
! Representative Hay called at the
ioSto1iice Department q day or two ago
ana asked that a postoftice be estab-
llshed in his district. He told Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristo1v
the office would accommodate three or
Iouf hundred people and greatly inn
prove postal facilities in that neighbour
hood.
lave you seen Mr.. Bowden about the
matter! Mr.. Bristow asked.
ME- Hay replied that lie had not, nor
did he intend to see him. He wished to
transact business with the PostofIice
Department. and not with Mr.. Bowden.
nor did he recognize the right of the de-
partmcnt 10 force representatives in
|, Congress to present their petitions to
Mr.. Bowden or any. citizen OF the State,
''VS - oiiS way CbIlllCClSu WIN the POST
Office Department. There was some fur
ther colionuy. during which Mr.. Bristow
SAD Ill reply to Il somewhat heated re-
marx OF Mr.. Hay, that he could estnb-
llsh the postoflice or not as he saw IT.
ana minated that 1t would be well for
MI Lay TO remember the absolute au-
thority of the Fourth Assistant respect
Ing such matters He concluded his
statement by declaring that Mr.. Hay
would have to refer his application for
Il new Office to Mr.. Eowdcn and that Mr.
iooWdenS endorsement would he neces-
Sary In order to secure the establish
mont. Mr.. Hay refused TO consult Mr.
SoWdcn about the mUSter, ana there it
rests.
My. BRlSTOW'S COURSE UNUSUAL
me attitude assumed by the Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General is un-
usual, and it will probably be brought
70 the attention of Postmaster General
Hhry. 1t Is conceded that the reference
or al questions concerning the appoint-
mcnt OF Republican postmastcrs can
very properly be made to such q referee
us the PuStoiice Department may de-
sire. That is an arrangement between
the PoStotlice Department ana the Re
publican leaders Of the state with which
Democratic members Of CONGRESS have
nothing to do. MIR. Hay claims how
ever, that u proposition to extend and
improve the mail facilities Of a locality
Tor 'he benefit of all the people in that
community should receive attention, no
matter by whom it is presented. 1t is
Il pubic ana not u party question that
- 20 pe determined, and he denies the
right Of the postal authorities to force
nm to sue for favorS from Mr. Bowden.
When II is the duty Of tho department
10 improve the service, If possible when
ever the opportunity offers
III has not heretofore been the prac-
nee OF the Postoificc Department to re-
Ter applications for the establishment
OF Il new Office TO any one outside tho
department unless some political DISPUTE
arose over the exact location of the Office
location of the office. In the present in
stance Mr.. Bowden does not want the
unusual authority which Mr. Bristow
WISHES TO give him. and will probably
suggest that the question be settled by
MI Bristow himself in accordance
with Mr.. HaN'S SugenSt tons