Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-13
END OF A fight FOR OFFICE
Megear's Victory for Postmas-
ter at Smyrna.
HOW OTHERS WERE BOWLED OUT
Winner Started Last, But Came
Out First.
Efforts Of Others to Combine Against Him
and Secure his Defeat, But without
Avaii-He is the Choice OF the Towers
That be and WIN he Appointed.


Special Correspondence Of Gazette and Journal
Smyrna, Jan. The announcement
that Col. u. A. du Pont, the dispenser
of patronage under the present admin.
stration, had recon. mended Thomas Il.
Megear for postmaster at this place, to
succeed Samuel j.. Reynolds, ends
worry bitter fight which has been 10
progress for several months past. The
Union Republican factionists OF tho
party were almost solid in thuir endorse
ment of ex Postmaster Thomas Jetier-
son. Tie few Regulars in this hundred
who were not, applicants for the office
themselves seemed to be back Of tho
candidacy OF William ii. Carr. George
III. Dick was backed by POstmas,ee
james II. Doakyne of Clayton. a, u.
Hudson, Dr., came out az II comptu-
mise candidate and bad the endorse.
ment OF some OF Jplfdrson's friends,
who saw that he had no standing with
the powers that he. lie was also
endorsed by ex Senator Anthony liig'
GIGS and Fred Eden Bach, who left
John Price when Col. du pnnt informed
them TINT his name would not be CON
sidered. II in conceded on all sides that
Hudson had sn excellent chance 10
secure the office, hut his father, a. L.
Hudson. ST., and his brother, ", u.
Hudson, just as the fight was begin
ming to get warm, took nm active part
in the Addicka primHriss for deegates
to the recent State convention. The
former was one Of the delegates. This
settled Hudson vito the Regulars. AL
Though he cid not take part himself.
the fact that he could not control his
family counted against him.
Thomas b. Megear won't into the
fight after almost everybody in this secs
ton had pledged themselves to either
ono candidate or another. His work
was done quietly, The nther candidates
laughed at him and secuted at the idea
of him even being in the race. lie
secured some local endorssment from
people who were supposed TO ho hack
ing the other candidates and in addi-
tion to this Clark NJ. Mensch, chair
man OF the Regular Republican county
committee OF Kent county; Manluve
Hayes aud George NJ. Jones of Dover;
OK Superintendent |. n. Mills of Clay,
ton, and some Of the most influential
Regulars in New Castle county. After
this work had been done he came homo
and awaited developments. Whom tho
other candidates found out that no
stood in favor with Col. du Pont they
all turned their batteries upon him,
claiming that he voted MI Addicks
ticket at the last election. II was OF
no avail, as Mr.. wegear's opposition
to the Gas King was too we'll known to
admit Of any doubt us TO his position
in the last campaign.
This appointment of Thomas V.
Megear cannot be criticised from the
standpoint of his ability 10 fill the
Office. Of course, he was NOT the choices
OF the Republican party Of thiH hun
dred, but even his factional enom eu
concede that he will make good post
muster and will prove worthy SUCCESS
sor to Samuel j. Reynolds, who has
made one of tina best postmasters in the
history Of the Office. While it is not
known who Mr.. Megear will select as
his assistants, no onu doubts hut what
he will retain Miss Hester Rutledge,
who has been assistant for the past ID
years. lie may also app0int his
daughter, Miss llettie Megear, as au
assistant,