The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-01-15
Congressman Sheldon Again
Triumphs Over His Would
be Dictator.
TITS POSTMASTER RM.H.KERN
N Notwithstanding Stephenson and
his Jersey Butter Plugged
Against Him. y

The Menominee postollice matter
has at last been settled, the presi-
dent having appointed Congress-
man Sheldon 5 candidate, and Justly
| ignoring the demand of eX-Con-
gressman Sam Stephenson, who
| has carried on bitter struggle
against Mr.. Sheldon, demanding that
| the Office be given to Andy Stephen
son, Il relative. But the eX-con-
gresham has received just re-
buke and must have discovered
that politically he is II genuine
back number. Sans Jersey butter
is undoubtedly good but his gall
is something terrible. Regarding
the victory of Congressman Sheldon
and the downfall of Sam, the
| Houghton correspondent of the
Mining Journal writes the following:
Interest centcred on the case, not
from the Importance OF the Office,
but from the fact that the contest
was a test Of influence with the ad-
ADMINISTRATION between Sheldon and
Stephenson. AS is well known
Stephenson left the lronwood con
vention sore and disgruntled and
threatened vengeance on those who
took the only practical method Of
convincing him that his interests at
Menominee required his individual
attention.. But Sam thought the
opening of his barrel in years past
when his own interests were at
stake, aud tie fact that he had
served in congress with the presi-
dent. entitled him to recognition be-
yond that accorded the man who de-
teated him in Il fair and honest fight.
tle writer has for some time been
in full possession OF all the facts re-
l1ting to the affair and knows that
Mr.. Sheldon regretted that the
quarrel had arisen. Had Mr..
,tepnensoa asked as u favor that be
DC given the permission to name the
postmaster at Menominee it is ex-
tremcly likely that IL would have
been granted. But Sam wanted to
demonstrate the power OF his pull y
at the White House, and besides
sending his samples OF dairy butter
to the president, he also notified him
of his heavy contribution to the last
campaign which, by the way, is
said to have been the cost of trip
to Marquetta and return. The cam
paign committee had no ledger ac-
counts resulting from "a leak in his
barrel. With all of Stephenson S
dog in the manger" methods, had
it not been for his Dragging and be-
littlement of the man VINO defeated
him Il compromise might have been
effected. but those knowing the
present congressman best are well
aware that his predecessor s tactics
resulted in fight that would be
carried to the bitter end, and that
he holding the Office would not re-
concle him to the humiliation
Stephenson sought to put upon him.
Although the utmost secrecy has
been observed in the matter it can
be stated for the benefit of Sam
Stephenson and his candidate that
they were never in the hunt. 1t is
fully six weeks or more since Mr..
Sheldon called at the White House
at Washington at the special re-
quest of the president, when this
case was brought up and fully dis
cussed AT the conclusion of the
interview President Mckinley as
surred Mr.. Sheldon that his candi-
date would be appointed, Ev- !
dences were at hand at the postotlice
department, however, that Sam had
not been idle, and when Mr.. Sheldon
made his first call there regarding
the Menominee postoliice he was ad
vised that charges had been pre- /
fcrred against Kern. The informa-
ton was given in the nature OF IA
bluff and was promptly called From
u party standpoint the appointment
is extremely wise, as had Stephen
son, who during ibis eight years in
office, was never interfered with in
the bestowing of patronage, been
it would have caused
dangerous split in the party in this
district. /
1t is well known that although
Houghton county sent a Sheldon
to the convention at /
Ironwood many of them and their
entertained quite a
friendly feeling for the ex-congress-
man. This was greatly impaired,
however, by the manner in which he
accepted defeat, and his statement
that he would be relieved from ,
building any more churches in this
district. Whether congressman
should divide the spoils or not, does
not enter into the question, as 1t is