The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-13
WOMAN PosTMasrERs IN DANGER.
EffJrt Peing Made to Dustin Carolina W.
man Postmasters

There arc two women postmasters in
North Carolina, who get up every morn
ing and look in the glass to see If their
hair is on straight Mr.. Hildebrand,
the Washington correspondent, gives an
interesting stcry of them and the nght
against them, as follows
No mere political power has thus far
been sufficient 20 prevail against MISS
LeDuc the postmaster at Tryon, in FOLK
county. few days ago Congressman
Moody felt confident that his representa-
lions to the Postoffice Department would
result in dislodging the woman, but the
Congressman had counted without the
power Of sentiment, behind which she had
taken refuge. Miss LeDuc claims to
have taught school at one time in Ohio,
ard that among her pupils was the late
President Mckinley, at whose instance
she was given the Tryon office. After
the death Of President Mckinley, Miss
LeDuc came to Washington, and related
her story to President Roosevelt, who
wrote a personal note to General Payne
saying Miss LeDuc was not to be re-
moved unless such a course were made
necessary out of regard to the public
service. In the opinion of Major Moody
such reason developed IN the method
by which Miss LeDuc secured an $500
clerk allowance for an office located III
town which was little more, in the
language OF one of the officials, than a
wide place in the road. Besides, J. W.
Lankford was the Republican judge OF
election, and as such declined to sign the
returns made out by the election board
at Tryon precinct, and is otherwise serv-
ing Major Moody in his contest. General
Payne at once ordered the clerk hire re-
duced from $500 to $500, and it was pre-
sumed that Miss LeDuc would promptly
be succeeded by Mr.. Landlord, but the
woman in the case went to the White
House again a few days ago and once
more won the kindly intervention of the
President. Major Moody laughingly told
General Payne yesterday that the Presi-
dent of course was the biggest man, but
that he had not given up the fight,
because he felt that he had a right
to control the patronage in his district,
AMI he will see the President again next
week. He reminded General Payne that
lis recommendations had always been
horored heretofore, and stated that Mr..
Landlord should now receive the appoint
which the friends of Miss LeDuc made
against him, and which we're by an in
'spector. sent there several days ago,
discovered to be unfounded 1t is
contest IN which political eXigcncy may
be observed on the one side, and senti-
trent on the other and it's outcome Will
be awaited with interest. Major Moody
says that President Mckinley filed a
number of papers in the case but that
Miss LeDuc was nowhere referred to as
having been his teacher at any time.
Another lady holding postoffce IN
the State. is Mrs. Timberlakc, at Wake
Forest, and certain politicians have re-
Gently given evidence of having de-
signs on her salary. One or more OF
the students at the college at that place
have had an eye on the position, but it
is understood that Senator Pritchard
would disprove Of any change. Mrs. Tim
herlake is the mother of Judge E. w.
Undertake