The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-05-11
KENTUCKY POSTAL OUTRAGE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
 ISSUES 4 STATEMENT.

Expiains the circumstances Attending
 tho Appointment of John c. Aiigood,
 tho Tennessee Rural Free Delivery
 Letter Garter Who Was Prevented
 from Performing His Duties by an
 Armed Blob.
 Washington. May 10.-The civil ser vice commission to-day made the fol- lowing explanation of the circumstances attending the appointment to his posi- ton of John c. Allgood, the Tennessee rural free delivery letter carrier, who has been prevented from performing the duties of his office by armed and mask ed patrons of the route: t.
 There are five rural free delivery routes which start at Gallatin, Tenn. There were. fifteen applicants for posi- tions as rural letter carriers on these routes. Eight of these applicants have been offered appointments, of whom five accepted and three declined. For route No. l, Allen s. billiard, a white man, made the highest aveage and was ap- pointed February 16 1903, to begin work on March 2. On February 25 notice was received that billiard had declined. The next man on t:.e register was John c. Allgood, the colored carrier who recent ly was compelled to abandon his route. In his report the examiner stated that Allgood would make a very acceptable carrier. His judgment was based on his investigation as to the wishes of the patrons of the route, under section of the regulations who provides that the examina tion shall further consist of a careful inquiry and report by the spec ial agent or the route inspector as to each competitors acquaintance win the patrons Of the route and the extent to which he has their confidence, his gen. eral characteristics. suitability, and fit ness for the position and his character and reputation"
 When billiard declined Allgood was appointed. There is moving in the rec- ord to show that he is a colored man, nor could this fact have been considered if the record had show it. No protests were filed by any persons prior to the 1 date of his appointment. He was ap- pointed on February 26, the day after the notice was received of the declina- i tion of billiard. Allgood began work March 1. the date the service on his route started. Allgood and billiard had made about ecual averages. so far as the scholastic test is concerned, and Dill lard got the benefit of the first certifica- tion on merely an account of the result of the examiners investigation, which showed that he would be satisfactory to more patrons than would Allgood, Sec tion of he regulations gives he patrons ample opportunity to select their man, inasmuch as the applicant must be a person who has good reputation in the community. Protests from persons in { any case are always considered and in- vestigated by the central board of ex- aminers. When no protests are receiv- ed, however, it is, of course, understood that the applicants are satisfactory to the patrons of the route.
 For rural route No. which starts at Gallarin, Tenn, William H. Franklin re- ceived the highest rating. Franklin al- so is a colored man, and there never has been any complaint whatever as to his | l Franklin is a Spanish war veteran, with an excellent record as shown by the copy Of his discharge on file with his papers. In his case the examiner said i 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 examina tion and investigation we:e made by a special agent whose home is in Tennes. see, and who is familiar with the con. ditions there. The agent states that while he gave the preference to DillarG { in his report, he thought Allgood woult make 2 very satisfactory man in case Dillard. should not accept the appoint. ment. The examination for these routes was made as early as May 15, 1892 NJ protests have been received in the cases either of Franklin or of Allgood.
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