The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-11
APPOINTMENT OF ALLGooD.
IL Is Explained why the Negro
Carrier Was Named

Washington, May 10-The Civil serv-
ice Commission to-day made the fol-
/ lowing explanation of the circum-
stances attending the appointment to
his position Of John c. Angood. the
Tennessee rural free delivery letter
carrier, who has been prevented from
performing the duties OF his office
by patrons of his route:
There are five rural free delivery
routes which start AT GalEatin. Tenn.
There were fifteen applicants for posi-
tons as rural letter carriers on these
routes. Eight Of these applicants
have been offered appointment. Of
whom five accepted and three declined
For route No. /. Allen s. billiard. a
white man. made the highest average
and was appointed. Feb. Is, 1903, TO
begin work on March ? On Feb. IS
notice was received that billiard had
declined. The next man on the reg
lister was John c. Allgood, the colored
carrier, who was recently compelled TO
abandon his route.
In his report the examiner stated
that Allcood would make very ac-
ceptable carrier. His Judgment was
based on his Investigations as to the
wishes Of the patrons OF the route. I'M
der section 9 OF the regulations. which
provides that the examination shall
further consist Of a careful INQUIRY
and report by the special agent or
the route inspector as TO each compet-
TORS acquaintance with the patrons
OF the route and the extent to which
ne has their confidence. his general
characteristics, suitability and fitness
Tor the position, and his character and
reputation.
When billiard declined. Allgood was
appointed. There is nothing in the
record 10 show that he is a colored
man. nor could this fact have been
considered If the record had shown il.
No protests were filed by any patrons
prior to the date OF his appointment.
He was appointed on Feb. e. the day
after the notice was received of the
declination Of billiard. Augood began
work March l. the date the service on
his route started. Allgood and Mr.
billiard had made about equal aver
ages, so far as scholastic test is
concerned, and Mr.. billiard got the ben
eft Of the first certihcation merely on
account Of the result OF the examiners
investigation. which showed that he
would be satisfactory TO more patrons
than would Allgood. Section OF the
regulations gives the patrons ample op-
AgNAAAt4AAS ~ SCACNN AAGAE mas
much as the applicant must be a per-
son who has good reputation I'm the
community. Protests from patrons in
any case are always considered and in
yestigated by the central board Of ex-
aminers. When no protests are re-
ceived. however, it Is, OF course. un-
derstood that the applicants are salts
factory 10 the patrons OF the route.
For rural route No. 2. which starts
at Gsllatin, Tenn. William H. Frank
lin received the highest rating. Frank
lin also is a negro and there has new
er been any complaint whatever as TO
his aocepta bility TO the patrons of his
route. Franklin is a Spanish War vet
eran. with an excellent record, as
shown by the copy Of his discharge on
file with his papers. In his case the
examiner said that in his opinion no
one could find fault with him. and the
postmaster stated that he was fully
competent.
In the case of Allgood. the exanli-
nation and investigation were made By
a special agent. whose home is in Ten
nesSee. and who is familiar with the
conditions there. The agent states
that while he gave preference TO Dill
lard in his report. he thought Augood
would make a very satisfactory man
in case billiard should not accept the
appointment The examination for
these routes was made as early as Nav
Is. 1900. No protests have been re-
ceived in the cases either OF Franklin
or OF A1lgood