The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-12
A SHIFT IN PosTMAsTERs.
DOyle's Friends Say They Knew
Runs Appointment Was a Mistake

DOyle's Friends Say They Knew
Runs appointment Was a Mistake.
The appointment of Mr.. Joseph F. Doyle
as postmaster caused almost as much ex-
citement yesterday, when the report of 1t
was bulletined. as would the news of an
other victory by Dewey. People rushed to
the Morning News to read the startling
news for themselves, and even seeing was
hardly believing.
How il came about that MIR. Henry Blum,
Jr., whose appointment as postmaster, ac-
cording to Geographic and private ad-
vices, had been confirmed by the Senate,
was displaced at this late hour, was some-
thing to be explained Mr. BUNS APP
pointment had been in Senator Clay's
hands for some time, and it was under
stood was held back so as to allow Mr..
George S. Haines. the present Incumbent,
to fill out his fun term. which expired
May /.
Capt. Henry Blum, father of Mr.. Henry
Blum, Jr., had every assurance that his
son had the Office, and though Mr.. BUNS
commission was hourly expected, he was a
little fearful himself of some slip even at
the very last moment. Ii appears now
that his fears are confirmed.
Mr.. Doyle was an applicant for the col
lectorship of the port but in spite of his
Endorsements for that office, and the work
of his friends, Senator Hanna claimed it
for Col. Deveaux. and the President had
to submit to the Great Oh.oan decree and
gave Senator Hanna's candidate the place.
The President, however, promised to re-
member Mr.. Doyle and to give him some
thing better, and the postoffiee, though not
better than the custom house, is the result.
Every one who knows Mr.. Blum will regret
that he has been so badly treated. He
would have made a good officer. Mr..
Doyle was postmaster under President
Harrison, and as such was a popular and
an efficient officer. His success, after So
hard fight, is evidence that he has
stanch friends in Washington. His APP
pointment and Mr. Blun's disappointment
show that Republican politicians, like
"buckra," according to the old darkey's
idea. are very "unsartin."
Capt. M. j. Doyle, when asked about the
report of his sons appointment stated that
he has no positive information He had a
letter from him last Sunday, in which Mr.
Doyle said he had every assurance that he
would get the placed The President prom
lsed 1t 10 him. Capt. Doyle said, and he
was satisfied that he would come out all
right in the end. He expects TO near from
his son to-day.
1t VIII be remembered that at the re-
quest Of Mr.. w. r. Leaken, who was a
candidate for elector on the Republican
ticket for Georgia, the Endorsement of
Maj ]. F. Hanson of Macon a well-known
Republican leader, was secured for Mr.
Blum. 1t is said that Maj. Hansons re-
quest to the President secured from him
the promise of Mr.. BUNS appointment.
The nomination is said to have been sent
in much earlier than was expected and it
Is presumed by many from what immedi-
ately followed, that the nomination was
one of inadvertance, as only day or two
previous the President informed Mr.
Doyle that he could not appoint him coll
lector of customs as he had made up his
mind to appoint Col. Deveaux. The
President, however, ia that interview,
rendered the appointment of postmaster
to Mr.. Doyle. The following day the
name of Mr.. Blum was sent to the Senare
along with other appointments.
Mr.. Doyle, who had not then left Wash
ington, called on the President and in
lOIIuSu MIN fudL MI. BUN ndu DGefl uOIl-
mated. The President. it is said. express
ed surprise, and said he would inquire into
the matter. The committee to which the
nomination had been referred failed to act
up to a few days ago. when the nomina-
ton was reported and, according to the
dispatches, was confirmed. Previous to
or about that time Mr. Blum had been ap-
pointed a lieutenant In the United States
volunteers from Georgia. Whether that
had anything TO do with the matter or not
has not yet been ascertained. 1t was stated
yesterday that the nomination of Mr. Blum
did not meet with the approval of heading
Republicans here and elsewhere in the
state Among those who opposed IL may
be mentioned the chairman Of the district
committee, the chairman of the county Re-
publican committee, the acting chairman
Of the state central committee and Col.
Buck himself. The attitude of these Re-
publican politicians, no doubt, was respon-
sible for the sudden change that has taken
place.
MIR. Leaken was one of Mr. BUNS most
ardent supporters and did everything with
in his power to bring about Mr.. BUNS
success. When asked about the matter
last night, he said:
II can say nothing except that / am
greatly surprised over what has happened.
l did not think there could be any doubt
about Mr.. BUNS appointment. in fact, he
was appointed and confirmed in accord
auce with assurances which l had when in
Washington only few days ago, and 1t is
impossible for me to understand the
change. 1 am entirely at loss as to
what to attribute 1t to-"
Mr.. Doyle has been in Washington for
some weeks looking into the matter of
his chances, and has demonstrated the fact
that he has "a pretty good pull He will
probably return as soon as the appoint
fnent is confirmed and he makes arrange
ments TO get the papers for his bond.
AN EVENING OF PIANO MUSIC.