Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-11

THE NEGRO WAS A GOOD MAN
Was second ON Register aud Was '"'
pointed After isis predecensor,
white Man, Had Declined,

Washington, May lO,--The civil SER
vice commission today made the follow
ing explanation Of circumstances at
tending the appointment to his position
Of John c. Algood, the Tennessee rural
free delivery letter carrier who has
been prevented from performing the
duties Of his Office by the patrons on his
route:
There are Ave rural free delivery
routes which start at GallatIn, Tenn
There were Is applicants for positioy
as rural letter carriers on the routes
Eight Of these applicants have been o.
fered appointments, OF whom five ac-
cepted and three declined. For route
No, l Allen s. billiard, a white man,
made the highest average and was APP
pointed Feb. 49, 1903, to begin work on
March 2. On Feb, rs notice was re-
ceived that Dlllard had declined
The next man on the register was
John G.. Allgood, the colored carrier
who recently was compelled to aban-
don his route In his report the exam
iner stated that Allgood would make
very acceptable carrier His judgment
was based on his Investigations as TO
the wishes Of the patrons Of the route
under section 9 of the regulations.
which provides that the examination
shall further consist OF careful IN
qulry and report by the special agent
or the route Inspector Of each COM
pettor's acquaintance with the patrons
of the route, and the extent to which
he has their confidence, his general
character, suitability and fitness for the
position, and his character and reputa-
ton
When billiard declined Allgood was
appointed. There Is nothing In the rec
ord 10 show that he Is a colored man,
nor could this fact have been cOnsid-
cred Il the record had shown II.
No protests were filed 10y any persons
prICr 10 the date Of his appointment
He was appointed on Feb 26, the day
after the notice was received Of the
declination Of Dillard. Allgood began
work March l, the date the service ON
his route started. Mr.. Allgood and Mr.
Dillard had made about equal averages
so far as the scholastic test is con-
cerned, and Mr. Dillard got the benefit
Of the first certiflcation merely as the
result Of the examination, which
showed that he would be satisfactory to
more patrons than would Allgood Sec.
tion Of the regulations gives the pat
rons ample opportunity 10 select their
man inasmuch as the applicant must be
a person who has a good reputation IN
the community. Protests from patrons
IN any case are always considered and
Investigated by the central board Of eX-
amners, When no protests are re-
ceVed, however, II is of course, UNDER
stood that the applicants are satisfac-
tory to the patrons of the route.
For rural route No, 2 which starts at
Gallatln. Tenn, William H. Franklin
received the highest rating franklin
also is a colored man and there never
has been any complaint Whatever as
TO his acceptabillty to the patrons of
his route. Franklin is q Spanish war
veteran with an excellent record, as
shown by the copy OF his discharge on
file with his papers In this 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 examlna-
ton and investigation were made by a
special agent whose home is in Tonnes
see, and who is familiar with the condl-
lions there The agent states that
while he gave the preference 10 billiard
In his report he thought AllRood would
make a very satisfactory man in case
billiard should not accept the appoint
ment. The examination for these
routes was made as early as May l6,
1902, No protest has been received In
the cases either Of Franklin or OF ALI
good.