Evening journal., 1903-09-22
Interviews With All the Principals
Who Tell of the Facts As
They Existed

state Senator had charged that she
had become so obnoxious that patrons
could not so to the Office for their
mail. and that she had allowed her Of
fee to be used for political meetings.
These charges Miss Todd and her
friends had Indignantly denied, and
had demanded of the Postmaster-G Cen
eral an investigation. But he has
vouchsafed no reply. SO the /situa-
ton became very interesting. and as
questions OF veracity were involved,
the reporter found himself in Gret1-
wood TO make the investigation that
Mr.. Payne so far has not made.
Greenwood Postoffice.
The postonice is but stone throw
from the station, in a big barn-like
structure. Unlike most country Offices
it is not in a store but has q room TO
itself. The new postmaster and Miss
Todd, who is assisting him until he
becomes familiar with the duties Of
his Office. were both busy with the mail
when the reporter arrived.
Miss Todd is a pleasant faced, low
voiced woman, not one whom a person
would select as likely 10 make her
self obnoxious TO anyone. She greeted
the reporter cordially but at first was
adverse to discussing the case, de-
ploring the fact that it had already
given her so much notoriety.
Tells Her Story.
Seated in the hall OF the postofice
building Miss Todd told her story.
Miss Todd" the newspaper man
said, how did you first learn that you
had been removed from the postofkce
here?"
i saw the notice Of the appointment.
Of my successor in the paper" was the
reply
Were you surprised?"
yes. / was"
what did you then do?"
Il wrote to Mr.. Bristow. the fourth
assistant, asking why l had been re-
moved. l did no. get any reply and
then decided to so TO Washington. see
the head officials and learn if possible
why had been removed. My brother
Senator Ball and Robert G. Houston
at my request. accompanied me. W,
first went to Genera. Bristow's office
We did not sec him but saw tho, chic.
clerk Senator Ball did the talking
He said he had come TO Washington 4
find out why I was removed. Th'
clerk said that no charges had beel
made but that Mr.. Payne had orderel
that be removed.
I'VE then went to see Mr.. Payne. II
was busy. After a short wait we say
him. Mr. Ball said he wanted to kno,
why 1 was removed. He stated TO Nj
Payne the ruling of the department a
% the causes for which postmasters o
the fourth class could be removed.
Questioned Payne.
i then said to Mr.. Payne, are ther
any charges against me-? He sal
II there are none ] then said hav
been told / was dismissed on som
N lharge.' Mr.. Payne again said 'ther
is no charge but you We're removed be
{cause you were particularly and per
u lF5onally obnoxious TO Senator Alice
Mr. Payne further said that / an
my friends did not represent the senti
ment of the people in the communit
in which ! lived.
Il said, do you think that is enoug
o remove me@ and he said he though
that under the circumstances it wal
senator Ball then turned to me an
said. do you understand why you wer
removedg ] said Delaware politics.
Wanted to Escape.
T "Mr. Payne said that he did not war
o discuss the matter any more. Sen
ltor BAH said that such action wa
getting further away from a soludo
s IF the Republican differences in Della
ware. Mr.. Payne replied that ther
was no solution Of the matter"
J Alice Wrote Charges.
Did Mr.. Payne when he said ths
you were obnoxious to Senator ALE
Indicate that Alice had put tbs j
e vriting?" was asked.
Yes, he said Senator Alice had pt
t in writing. He also said that il tn,
vas put in writing it was a sufIicier
eason for my removal"
Mr.. Payne says that state Senate
md other persons had represented ths
fou rendered yourself so obnoxiol
o hat they would not even go TO IL
= 'ostoffice for their mail Now VIII;
q state Senator gets his mail at Greer
n wood postonice?"
4 "Nir. Pennewill."
q Pennewill Never Complained.
) Docs any other State Senator evl
call personally for his mail or did al
& state Senator ever make complaint
n you Of improper treatment2"
y "No."
Did Mr.. Pennewil ever have ar
:. conversation with you about your n
y tention Of Officer"
e NO; but last winter or last sprir
y he told some friends OF mine. 1 ha,
, heard. that 1 could not be removed. Z"
k did Mr.. Payne say anything to W
r. about q State Senator making con
q plant about your"
5 "He did not"
l. "Mr. Payne says further that v,
boasted to him that your brothers we
taking an active part in politics in OF
(. position to the Addicks faction and tn
your Office had been used as a heai
! quarters and meeting place for polit
= clans. Is that true?'
~, 1T is not. There was nothing sa
about my family's politics. never a
:, anything but attend to my business
" the Office. A political meeting nev
Z was held there. never did anything
, give offence particularly because of DC
p tics"
Is What did you say to Mr.. PAY,
about the politics of yourself and far
e. ily?"
10 Il did not say anything"
N did you make a practice Of boSs
ie ing of your political preferences
"a publicY
le no"
'e Did an Inspector ever come to Gree
Al wood to investigate any charge again
SO lyou?"
a i No."