The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-11
CARRIER ALLGOOD'S CASE.
His Appointment Explained by the
Civil-Service Commission.

WASHINGTON, May 10.-The Civil-serv-
ice Commission to-day made the following
explanation of the circumstances attending
the appointment to his position Of John C..
Allgood the Tennessee rural free delivery
letter carrier who has been prevented from
performing the duties Of his Office by the
patrons of his route:
There are Ave rural free delivery routes
which start at Gallatin, Tenn. There were
fifteen applicants for positions as rural car
riers on these routes. Eight of these appli-
cants 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 16. 1903, to begin work on
that billiard had declined. The next mar
on the register was John c. Allgood the
.colored carrier who recently was compelled
to abandon his route. In his report the ex-
aminer stated that Allgood would make a
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 a
careful inquiry and report by the special
agent or the route inspector as 10 each
competitors acquaintance with the patrons
of the route and the extent TO which he has
their confidence, his general character.s-
tics suitability and fitness for the posi-
ton. and his character and reputation.
When billiard declined, Allgood was an
pointed. There is nothing In the record to
show that he is a colored man, nor could
this fact have been considered IL the
record had shown IL.
No protests were filed by any persons
prior TO the date of his appointment He
was appointed on Feb. 26, the day after
the notice was received of the declination
of billiard Allgood began work March l.
the date the service on his route started
Mr. Allgood and Mr.. billiard had made
about equal averages, so far as the
scholastic test is concerned, and Mr. Dill
lard got the benefit of the first certifica-
ton 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 annie
opportunity TO select their man, inasmuch
as the applicant must be a person who has
a good reputation in the community. Pro-
tests from patrons in any case are always
considered and investigated by the cen
trail board of examiners. When no pro-
tests are received however, ii is expected
of course. understood that the applicants
are satisfactory to the patrons of the
route.
For rural route No. 2. which starts at
Gallatin. Tenn, William II. Franklin re-
ceived the highest rating. Franklin also
Is a colored man. and there never has been
any complaint whatever as 10 his accept
ability to the patrons of his route. Frank
lin is Spanish war veteran, with an ex-
cellent 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 COM
petent
In the case of Allgood, the examination
and investigation We're made by a special
agent whose home is In Tennessee and who
Is familiar with the conditions there The
agent states that while he gave the prefer
ence to billiard in his report, he thought
Allgood would make very satisfactory
man In case billiard should not accept the
appointment The examination for these