The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-07
Il PosroFFlCE
VIII be Possmaster"-AIbrighi
Wa Shelved In the Latest Deal-He viii
be Locked Afeer-The Deal Was Satisfac-
torily Fixed in Washington

tOHhAy Hb&c0 n
The ways of republican politicians are
peculiar and past finding out Sages who
put their finger on their nose and with
the knowing look and wise nod OF the
owl. could tell you all about it-"siick
a pin here and stick a pin there"-are
not in il on the postmastership.
Ex-Postmaster C. Z. French, who made
a first-rate postmaster under President
Harrison. has been an aspi-an; for the
honors this time, but Mr.. J. <. Albright.
a railway mail clerk on the Atlantic
Coast Line between Wilmington and
Norfolk. disputed the honors with him.
The contest between the two waxsd
warm and furious, and the Russell and
anti-Russell factions set to waring over
the matter. Both sides have sent delega-
tons to Washington several times 10 see
Senator Pritehard and the powers
that be.
Mr.. French had the disadvantage of
being classed as Governor Russelrs cam
dfdate, and as Senator Pritchard had
a knife up his sleeve for the Russell
knights, Mr.. French has stood no show
ing. In fact, 1t is stated that two months
ago, Senator Pri,chard told him he could
not be postmaster. While the contest
was waging Mr.. William H. C~hadbourn
has been a dark horse in the race for
postmaster, but about ten days ago. SEN
ator Pritchard decided on Mr.. Albright
for the office. When the fact became
known. Mr.. Chadbourn lit out for Wash
ngton and others went on in his behalf
and when it looked like he was about to
~1. NJ ~. ~ NJ r;a1
Mr.. Fred B. Rice and ex-Representative
Jno. T. Howe. colored, went to wash
ington Monday night to urge Senate
Pritchard to stand by his choice. In the
meantime, DIR. S. p. Wright, Whining
toms republican mayor, and Mr.. Chad
bourn, went on to the national capital
and with others, represented Mr.. Chad
bourn's claims.
To a man up a tree, it looks like Mr..
Chadbourn, by some means, got the in
side track, and it appears hat the fac
lions got together in Washington and
settled it among themselves, got recon-
ciled and evidently agreed on a divide.
This may be judged from the fact that
Mr.. CT. z. French and Assistant City
Clerk Taylor both received kilograms
lAOAI H. III l.. II. ASACC
stating that Mr.. Chadbourn wou,d be
postmaster and that all hands were sat
isfied.
The following is one of the dispatches,
and it speaks for itself:
washington, D. c., January ), 1898.
zinc. f. Taylor, Wilmington. n. c.:
"Chadbcurn will be postmaster. Ar
engagements entirely satisfactory to ALL"
RICE"
A prominent republican said yesterday
evening that both sides would be salts
fed now, as the main fight was made
against Mr.. French, and his defeat had
been accomplished. He stated Mr.. AL
bright would be looked after and would
probably be assistant postmaster, which
commands a salary of 81, 400 a year, or
the salaries of postmaster and assistant
postmaster-$2,S0 500 and 81, 4OO-may be di-
vided between the two. Anyhow, Mr.
Albright will be cared for. He said that
the statement a few days ago that Mr..
Albright had resigned his position as
mail clerk, confident that he would be
postmaster. was not true.
Mayor Wright returned from Wash
ington last night, and all he had to say
was thai it was settled that Mr.. Chad
bourn will be postmaster, and ex-Collec-
tor John c. Dancy, of Salisbury, will get
the appointment again as collector of
customs.
Mr.. Chadbourn will be home from
Washington tonight, and Mr.. Rice and
the others will be back tomorrow.