Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-01
CHANGE EFFECTED
Postmaster Merritt Takes Charge
of the Office.
REMOVAL OF CASHIER HULLOCK
What He Says of the Summary
Action in His Case.
e OTHER CHANGES LIKELY

As heretofore stated In The Star, the
work incident to the transfer of the city
post office to the new postmaster took
place last night. After the Post Office De-
partment closed the new postmaster. in
company with his assistant, Mr.. Madison
Davis. repaired to the city post office,
where he met the retiring postmaster and
the financial clerks of the department.
Post office inspectors were on hand to help
matters. and soon the entire force was at
work Strengthening up accounts. 1t was
well into the night before their labors were
concluded.
Before the officials left for the night,
Postmaster Merritt sent for Cashier TuI-
lock. and asked for his resignation. Mr..
Tuliock refused to resign, whereupon Post
master Merritt wrote out an order dis
missing the cashier, and making Assistant
Cashier Duvan acting cashier.
At the same time he wrote out an order
transferring Mr.. H. K. Van Alstyne from
the Post Office Department to the city
post office, where he will assume the duties
of chief of the registry division, vice Will
liam D. Peachy. deceased
These are the only changes made, al
though it is expected others will follow.
What Mr.. TuIIock Says.
In response to inquiry by a Star report
er Mr.. Tullock said:
Yes, I am at present statesman out of
. job-and while my sudden removal was
something of a surprise, it was not entirely
unexpected. owing to the present condition
of affairs in the Post Office Department
Almost before the ink was dry upon his re-
ceipt fer the large stock of valuables trans
ferred, Mr.. Merritt stated to me that he
had determined to make a change in the
office of the cashier l asked him when he
desired the change 70 go into effect. He re-
piled, The sooner the better
| asked, Is this based upon any charges
affecting my character. integrity. or admin
istration of my office? He said, Not at ALL
II is entirely a personal affair / refused to
resign under such circumstances. and stated
1 desired to be removed, and in writing.
1t is funny, IL il not, that l have served
through two democratic administrations
standing entirely upon my record and re-
spOnsibility, and now, by republican post
master. under Il republican President, 1 am
removed without a moments notice. But
just now Washington is not in it, and l may
have more to say on this point hereafter.
This action of Mr.. MerTitts is all the
more unjust, as l have had the financial
supervision of the Island of Porto Rico
where a lot of place hunters have been sent
most of whom are ignorant of postal
fiscal affairs as they are of the Chinese all
phabet- l have had to work overtime dur
ing the past year. so that have only taken
dinner with my family. as a rule, on Sun
days"
An Old Resident.
Mr.. Tullock is an old resident of the city
having resided here since 1860. and was ap-
pointed in 1879 to his position after the dis
coyery of large embezZlement in the office
While performing his duties at the post
office he had also kept in touch with the
interests of the city. and was the secretary
and treasurer of the United States Electric
Lighting Company from its organization to
its absorption by the present syndicate and
was chairman of the building committee of
the magnificent new plant. He was a di-
rector of the Second National Bank for
some years, and is now treasurer of the
Protestant Episcopal diocese Of Washing
ton.
Mr.. Tullock was asked If he had any
plans for the future. and replied, Not yet, -
but said he would devote some of his time
enjoy his first vacation in twenty-one years.
Postmaster Merritt's Statement
Postmaster Merritt received a letter later
in the day from Mr.. Tullock, asking "if
your very summary action is based upon
any political reasons charges affecting
my integrity or my administration of the
affairs of my office" He replied immedi-
ately in the negative. Postmaster Merritt
when asked by Il reporter of The Star if
he would state why Mr.. Tullock had been
removed, said:
The position of cashier is an excepted
place. made so. l take 1t, owing to the fact
of its being of a confidential and personal
character. and l prefer to have a person
Ill 1t Of my own choosing. My making a
change in that position should not be con-
strued as any reflection upon Mr.. Tullock,
Tor such Is not the case