Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-12
WILLIAM MCKINLEY
For ice-President.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The New First Assistant Postmaster General.
OF New York.

The New First ASSISTANT POSTMASTER uehefd'.
One of the strongest features Of the
administration Of President Mckinley
has been the uniform high character
of his appointments TO positions OF
honor and trust under the government.
1t has seemed to US that too little has
been said in the present campaign rel
alive TO this point. which has been SO
conspicuous in the past four years.
With an extraordinary number OF APP
continents to be made TO places Of the
highest trust and Importance, many OF
which were caused by the creation of
commissions such as brought about
peace with Spain. the conduct of the
government in the new possessions.
besides an unlocked for large number
of military and naval appointments,
there has been one long line OF ap-
pointees of the highest character, abil-
ity and experience, the character OF
which has prevented the slightest
criticism from the most rabid Of the
opposition.
To the position of First Assistant
Postmaster General, President Mckin-
ley has recently appointed Hon. VIII
liam NJ. johnson, Of New Jersey, to
succeed Gen. Perry 5. Heath, who
held this position with such ability IN
Ii. III 4 ADS, C< '' it cam
paisn caused him 10 resign the Office
for active work at the National head
quarters in Chicago where he IS al
present conducting matters with his
usual success.
The appointment Of Gen Johnson
was entirely unlocked for Although
there We're no announced candidates
for the position, one or two other
persons connected With the postal ser
vice had been suggested: but it is one
of those happy surprises which un-
looked for. causes only favorable com
ment on all sides, and ensures sue
cessful continuance of the great busl-
ness department Of the government in
the progressive and business lines in
which it has been carried out during
the present administration. The FIRST
Assistant Postmaster General is the
executive officer under the Postmaster
General, and it is a position where
great business ability and constructive
force are essential; and these Gen.
johnson has in a marked degree
The acceptance Of the Office by It's
present incumbent is distinctively an
act Of patriotism, as he leaves large
and lucrative law practice in New Jer-
sey for the comparatively small emoiu-
ments Of the office he takes. Few per
sons in his position would have sacrl-
feed 50 much material advantage foi
he small return Of the position which
he has taken. and it is only his IN
tense friendship to the administration
which has caused him reluctantly &c
accent the position for which he is 50
well fitted.
Gen. johnson is a man Of high repu-
tation in his own state. He was close
~ associated with the late William
Walter Phelps, and counsel for MS
5large estate. Always an active and ar
dent Republican, he never held office
until, the year 1895, when he was noml-
mated in a Democratic county for the
state Senate. and carried it into tie
Republican column. He was again
returned in 1895. and his independence
and close attention to duty had made
him SO influential in the Senate that
for that year and the next he was tbs
leader for the Republican majority il
that body, and was considered one O
its most influential members. Las
winter he was made president of thu
Senate, and during the absence of Gov
governor of New Jersey. In age. h,
has reached the half century maj
and is OF a quiet. rather retiring dis
position, but with decided genius 70
administration. and with high ideal
as TO the duties of public officials IL
IS active in Christian religious circles
ana by his transformations philan
thropy has endeared himself to tn
hearts of his fellow citizens in Ne,
Jersey Where he Is loved for his al
tainments and sterling manhood. II