Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-24
B. T. PERSON APPOINTED
MADE POSTMASTER OF WILSON,
NORTH CAROLINA.
Will Succeed Sam'l H. Wick, Over
Whose Retention There Has Been
Such Vigorous Fight.

The long and vigorously fought contest
over the postmastership of Wilson, N. c.,
was ended today, after conference with
the President by Acting Postmaster Gen
eral Wynne, by the appointment of B. T.
Person to succeed Samuel H. Wick. Person
was formerly populis member of the North
Carolina legislature. The fight has centered
on the present postmaster, a colored
man, who was charged with failure to
support the republican party at the
polls. The case has attracted consid-
erable attention all over the country. In
connection with the announcement Of the
appointment today the Post Office Depart
ment made public brief statement regard
ing the case, together with some correspon-
dence on the subject. The official state
ment says:
After a careful investigation the depart
ment came to the conclusion that Senator
Pritchard was right in the statement that
Mr.. Wick had not supported the republican
ticket and, consequently, had forfeited his
claim to party recognition. Therefore, Mr..
Person, who was recommended by Senator
Pritchard, has been appointed"
The correspondence made public includes
a letter from Senator Pritchard Of North
Carolina to President Roosevelt, dated Feb
ruary 10, and one from President Dudley
of the Agricultural and Mechanical College
for the Colored Race of North Carolina to
Senator Pritchard, dated February IA.
Senator Pritchard's Letter.
Senator Pritchard says:
Dear Mr.. President: Referring to our con-
versation in regard to Wick the other day, I
beg to call your attention to the fact that
]. B. Catus, leading colored man, is post
master at Winton, N. c., and has been since
the republican party came into power the
l,te o{,,l,
tration Of the office is entirely satisfactory
to the people Of that community.
1.-THE postmaster at GAINESVILLE, village
just across the river from Newbern, Is a
colored man. There is also a colored post
master at Biddle, in the county of Mecklen-
burg.
a. e. johnson is clerk and assistant in
the district attorneys Office for the eastern
district of North Carolina; Col. James H.
Young, who served in the Spanish war,
holds responsible position as clerk in Col
lector Duncan's office at Raleigh and John
Taylor is chief clerk in the collector of Gus
toms office at Wilmington. I secured the
appointment OF colored man as consul to
some place in Africa, and he Is now serving
his second term.
II also secured the appointment, as you
know, Of J. c. Dancy as reeorder of deeds
of the District of Columbia, and there are
two or three prominent positions now being
filled in the recorders office by colored
mendation. l have secured the transfer
and promotion of a number Of colored peo-
pie from North Carolina who are now en-
ployed in the departments, and am Salts
fled that l have obtained the appointment
OF not less than twenty colored men as la
borers in the various departments in this
city.
II also call your attention to the fact
that I have secured fhe appointment Of
Capt. Gilmer as lieutenant in the Phil
ippine scouts, and in this connection I ask
you to read the inclosed letter from Prof.
James B. Dudley, president Of the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College for the Col
ored Race of North Carolina. Prof. Dudley
is one of the best colored men in the south,
and wields a powerful influence in behalf
Of his race
Prof. Dudley's Letter.
Prof. Dudley's letter follows:
Permit me to express to you the pleasure
that it gave me to learn that after Sc
we're ordeal you are beginning to resume
your advice, and also l desire to express to
you the great pleasure 1t gave me to find,
notwithstanding the severe denunciations
which you have received from many of my
people, that you are friendly enough and
broad enough to recognize their claims as
is evidenced by the recent appointment Of
Lieut.. D. J. Gilmer in the regular army.
The conditions with which we have to deal
are very delicate. While I may somewhat
differ with you upon minor matters. have