The times., 1899-07-01

John A. Merritt formerly Third Assist
ant Postmaster General of the United
States, and who was recently appointed
postmaster of Washington, will enter upon
the discharge of the duties of his new Of
fee this morning. In fact, he practically
took charge of the office last evening, when
all the affairs of the office were turned
over to him by James P. Willett, the re-
firing postmaster. ~
The work of preparing for the transfer
Of the effects of the Office has been in
progress since the appointment of Mr.
Merritt, over a month ago, and was com
pleted yesterday. In connection with this
work the business of the Office during the
retiring postmaster's incumbency has been
gone over and found satisfactory and cor
rect. Mr.. Merritt was assisted in his in
spection of the accounts of the office by
Mr.. Madison Davis, assistant postmaster.
who succeeds Mr.. j. Edwin Wilson, who
served Postmaster Willett in a like ca
pacity. Mr.. Merritt was also assisted by
Mr.. George W. Beavers, Chief Clerk of the
Salaries and Allowance Division of the
Postoffice Department, who acted merely
in the capacity of friend to the incoming
postmaster.
The formal transfer of the office will
take place this morning, at 9 o'clock, after
which Mr.. Willett will present the new
postmaster to the clerks and superintend-
ent. The superintendents of the substa-
uons will also be present to meet Mr.
Merritt.
Mr.. Merritt was seen last evening at
the postoffice building and asked if he con-
templated making many changes In his
corps of assistants. He replied that he did
not. 1t was stated, however, that Mr. j.
w. Duvall, the financial clerk OF the Office,
will be removed but as yet no one has
been named as his successor.
AT the request of Mr.. Merritt, Mr.. John
A. Holmes who was private secretary to
Postmaster Willett, will serve him in that
capacity for some time yet, but will later
be transferred to the Salaries and Al
lowance Division as an assistant to
Mr.. Beavers. the chief of that division.
The retiring postmaster, Mr.. Willett, in
leaving the office carries with him the good
wishes of his host of friends in this city
and, in fact, everyone who has had bust
ness with the local Office during his in
cumbency.
Under his management 1t is generally
conceded that the service OF the Office has
oeen improved and extended. Mr. Willett
entered upon the discharge of his duties
with the experience of life long success
full business man in the District. MIR.
Willett also has the distinction of being
one of the very few natives of the Dis
trict who have been appointed to the city
postmastershfp. He also served under
two Administrations of dlfferen. political
faith.
Mr. Willett was appointed postmaster
by President Cleveland In December, 1894,
During the fiscal year ending March 81 of
that year the total receipts OF the office
were 1886, 1899. The improvement In the
business of the Office is quickly told in the
statement that for a similar period ending
March 81, 1899, the receipts were $685.
674.0S
Mr.. Merritt was appointed Third Assist
ant Postmaster General by President M
kinley soon after he entered the White
House. The new postmaster has had con-
siderable experience in the conduct of pos
tai affairs, for in addition to his service in
the Postoffice Department he was for sew
eral years postmaster of the city of Buff
fa1o, N. Y.
President Mckinley has appointed E. c.
Madden, of Detroit, Mich. to succeed Mr.
Merritt as Third Assistant Postmaster
General. Mr.. Madden arrived in the city
yesterday, and will enter upon the dis
charge of the duties OF his office today