Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-01-14
COL. HAsK1Ns w1THDHAws
Aud Leaves clear ftei" '"r
stsr,s appointment as Po'''""'
u.,sons for his Action

lra,t,ins has allowed il TO become kho"I
N bis nersonal friends that he mas ueolu s,
w 60 ho candidate for the office OF posV,
rnaster AZ BrattleborO, and mas SO ,I no.'i.o
H. congressional delegation at WashihB'
,a,, Tins leaving It's members entlrey 've
IN recommend the appointment OF ~.
p Webster for that place wlIhouv oppOss
: rrtts announcement, when made Dy
Col uaskins. was in large measure SUI
80 ai,,co II had been commonly under
s,ood that At the right time he Would PIE
-, his claims az a candidate for the post
v,astershin When asked for the reasons
for his action. Col. Haskins decllheu "
,,go into print" with formal statement
but said in substance;
"While had much rather be excused
from saving anything for puolcauol ~.
tho reason that ] do not consider uhuei
tho circumstances 10 10 be matter OF pun
lilo concern. and am ayerse TO making my
self a subject OF newspaper comment yS'
i'm Difference TO your opinion that Jhe pu"
lie has some interest, you are aulHoi'N0N ~
sav that / have not Withdrawn from any
contest for the postmastership for the very
good reason thai ! have never maze any
contest for il. have frequently SAID 70
some of my friends that ] felt as lhougu
NV services during the past 90 years io'
tho Rannblican party. and especially dur
ing the last campaign, ought 10 iece'H'
some kind of recognition, and thaJ an az
pontment 10 the pOstmastershlp OF bia1
tleboro would be agreeable TO me as IheH
felt. and that when the proper time ar
rived | thought it quite probable Lhal ]
should be- candidate for the place.
knowing that the term OF the presehl
postmaster did not expire until the spilns
/ Of 1sgS. and that 10 was The pOhcy OF lue
present administration 10 permit oiha.a
/ TO serve out their full term. deeneu 4'
/ unseemy 10 enter into scramble OF mari
a canvass cor the position year OF even
/ months in advance of the time Wheh al
appointment would, in all pro0aOillty' pe
| made Hence ] have never announced
myself as candidate to the patrons OF
the office nor have / allowed my lrlehus
10 make anv canvass for me, although
many of the prominent citizens and pa
irons of the office. who have as yet signed
no ones petition, as well as many VINO
have signed. have voluntarily rendered me
their support. As the time had arrived
when. if | was to become a candidate al
all. | must act. put forth petition for sig
natures. and with an assurance OF sup
port both at home and at Washington
which made me feel practically sure OF OBJ
tanning the appointment, but taking into
consideration the duties and Responsible
ties OF the office and that in its proper dls'
charge | must. practically, surrender my
law practice which / am not yet ready &c
abandon / concluded would not ask toi
the appointment. and so notified our dele
/ cation in Congress.
There were several other considera
lions. potent factors TO my mind. that or
Grated forcibly in bringing TO me such
conclusion Ii would relieve the delega
ton in Congress of all embarrassment II
. endeavoring TO explain TO The friends @
] DR.. Webster. ID view Of his large petition
already on hle. why his candidacy was i-
nored and the appointment given to me, d
the event ] received IT, Again, the X,
j I publican party of BrattleuOro is at peace
6 and in view of the cordial support II ha
{ given me in the past aud the nOnOrs ! la
g received az its hands, / felt strongly thai
D.. would be ungratetu. were ! to do anythiu
e to create breach III the party, locally.
u also felt that while the salary attached {
Il the office OF postmaster is a thing wort
"a looking 10 and 10 have. yet to remain !
II he future as in the past, free and VI
b. trammeled citizen with perfect liberty {
J
e greater consequence 10 Ire as a citizen {
}. this town and state / feel thankful tC
O., the unsolicited support that mas been
o freely rendered me, and trust that my O
!, cisiou in the premises may meet with II
IL full approval OF my friends. SO far as
lie am personally concerned my action hs
r, brought TO myself no regrets, ioI l believe
have acted wisely
he The recommendation OF DR.. Webst
:: for the Brattleboro postmastership "
-e undoubtedly now he made toy the g
b, mont delegation within a short time. al
p- there will be no question about ms nomi
~ alton by the President and his confirm
a. ton bv the Senate. Dr. Webster has
IN / very strong petition. ne has received unu
d. ! ually cordial support from his townsme
~ / and his appointment will give general sat
e. faction TO the people OF BratteDOrO. 1t
ELL true, however, that a strong and high
p reputable contingent OF business men a
a. OF other citizens of prominence nave wit
n. held their names and support, solely
he the ground that if Col Haskns desir
,e- the office they felt in honor bound to q
~ their support TO him because of their D.
rk sonal regard. and in recognition OF t
e. long and faithful service which he has L
selfshly given to the Republican party.
an has been an open secret that majority
as least of the Vermont delegation would
est glad to recommend his nomination, al
on for reasons which are well known, there
he no doubt that President Mckinley wol
in have cordially welcomed such a reco
est mendation.
is Col Haskins's course, in the action n
ew taken, has been highly honorable and co
ng mendable, and 1t scarcely need be said Il
nd it would give all Brattleboro Republic,
he sincere pleasure should President Mex
'69 ley at any time confer upon him an
of polntment commensurate with his W
of proved ability and his long party service
Nv