Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-30
OUR POSTAL HISTORY.
Continued from page 81

Harrison and turning the building
over to Mr. Manley, who had been ap-
pointed custodian on its completion.
Mr.. Fowler is still an active and great
ly respected merchant on Water street.
The office of custodian is one having
customary to appoint the postmaster
as there is no salary attached. A GUS
todian is an officer under and account
able to the treasury department and
as such is the treasury's agent. 1t is
supposed for sake of record that it is
two persons and accounts are kept
the two offices precisely as if the post
master and custodian were two per-
sons occupying only official relations
toward each other.
In January, 1890, the postoffice was
removed to the new public building.
the entire cost of which was nearly
$225 200.
Mr.. Manley was unopposed in his
candidacy for second term and re-
ceived his appointment without oppo
sition. When President Harrison was
renominated in the Minneapolis con-
vention in 1892. Mr.. Marley. being
national committee man, obtained
position on the executive committee of
I, H., nj ;,,, .Nft - No.,
nounced civil service idea. resigned his
position as postmaster. President
Harrison then appointed Walter d.
Stinson, who was Mr.. Manley's assist
ant. as postmaster To fill the remainder
of the formers term. During this win
ter the civil service commission visited
Augusta and put the Augusta postof-
flee under the rules of the Civil Ser
vice act, the intention being to with
draw politics from public service. and
placing it on as strictly a business
footing as it practically can be.
The election held that fall resulted
in Mr.. Cleveland's second success, and
Il was hardly over before a spirited
contest commenced between Hon
Thomas J. Lynch and Col. Fred W.
next appointment. The former was
self-made young lawyer, who had
creditable and enviable reputation for
himself rs a progressive. capable bust
ness man and reliable citizen; the lat
ter was an energetic and popular young
editor who had done efficient work as
editor Of the democratic New Age. Both
young men were recognized as able or
ganizers and both had strong support
FOR the position. The contest lasted
several months after Mr.. Cleveland's
Inauguration and was much in doubt.
AS all postal commissions are made
for four years, it was necessary to re
move the incumbent before any APP
pointment could be made. This also
caused some delay in action. but on
January 5th. 1894, Mr.. Lynch was ap-
pointed to the office and took posses
sion on the first day of the succeeding
month. His administration, continued
on the same general lines of his pre-
decessors. received the favorable com
mendation of our citizens without re
gard to political affiliation- He had
served under Mr.. Fowler as assistant
and obtained valuable experience
which he made use Of in the higher po-
sition with credit alike to himself and
the community and finished his term
of four years with the good wishes of
the press and public.
President Mckinley having been
| elected in the fall of 1896. two candl-
dates announced themselves for ap-
polntment, Mr. william H. Williams
and Mr.. Walter d. Stinson. The can
vas was carried on in Il friendly way
and was suddenly concluded by the
formers withdrawal on his appoint
ment as General Superintendent of the
| Water and Light Companies in this
| CITY. in which he had before held a
| subordinate position. The advantages
Of such a position We're manifest and
| his withdrawal left but one candidate
Mr.. Stinson. who was appointed at the
| conclusion of Mr.. Lynch's term ana
took control of local postal affairs the
| U,ahruory 1893
| In closing the historical portion OF
this article it is noticeable that it is
creditahle alike to Augusta and the
reputation of these citizens, who have
| served the government and her people
for this long period of over century
that every one of them has retlred
from this office with an untarnished
and honorable record for faithful. pro
gressive and capable services; and that
during these several administrations.
extending from Washington to Mckln-
ley. the postal affairs of Augusta have
been administered to the general sat
! ait nd in q n