The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-21


M in connection with the present
investigation into Postofice De-
partment scandals was the recent dis
covery in an old. out of the way file case
Of a number Of, autograph letters Of
recommendation written by men famous
in American history.
Postmaster General Payne recently re-
ouested the appointment clerk of the de-
partment 20 find misplaced document
which was desired for reference in
matter growing out OF the general in
ouiry now in progress. The clerk IN the
course Of his search came across the
battered piece Of furniture that con-
tanned the documents referred TO-
The file case had apparently been con-
sIdered OF no value. for it had been
slowed away in one OF the departments
coal bins. and eventually would have
been broken up and its contents burned.
Appointment Clerk Nicholson realized
the historic value of the documents AMI
handed them to Postmaster General
PAYNE. who now has them in his private
safe
The papers include letters Of recon-
mendation from Roscoe Conkling, writ
ten in 1860, when he was Representa-
tive from New York; Horace Greeley.
Charles Sumner, and others.
Among the papers was the record OF
the first woman appointed in the postal
service. and one OF the first employed
IN the Government departments In
Washington In any capacity Another
document bore the written sentiments
% q rabId secessionist who was appoint
ed to Office on the strength Of his pen
manship and composition against
which his anti-union expressions were
not allowed to stand in the way.
The documents are considered of more
than ordinary interest. inasmuch as au-
tograph letters OF recommendation from
prominent men are practically things OF
the past. The general use Of the type
writer. and the fact that every public
man Of prominence has a private secre-
tary. arc responsible for this modern
condition.
Autograph letters Of recommendation
are not looked upon with favor in Gov
eminent departments nowadays, and a
missive from Horace Greeley, such az
the one on file. would probably be
thrown in the waste basket as indeciph-
cradle. The appearance OF this letter
justices all the things that were ever
said about the great editors chirogra-
ply.
The letter from Roscoe Conkling is on
ordinary foolscap paper in his big,
struggling handwriting. and looks as If
70 had been written with paint brush.
1t reads as follows:
Sept. 10. 1861.
Honorable Montgomery II. Blair, Post
master General.
! Nv Dear Sir: Henry a. Daniels. Utica.
! New York. is the man Of whom I spoke
/ TO YOU last eve. He is q lawyer by pro-
/ fession. a beautiful penman. and man
| OF much clerical exactness and eNper-
fence. l earnestly ask his appointment
as a thing concerning my own personal
/ convenience, as well as fit and urgent
J otherwise. Very truly. your ob't ser T.
j ST have spoken to Mr.. Kasson.
delivering TO him the message you sug-
gested. r. {.
/ The records show that Mr.. ConklinS's
/ brief appeal was successful, and that Mr..
Daniels secured a first class clerkship in
/ the Postoffice Department.
/ The letter rom Horace Greeley is en-
/ a New York Tribune" letterhead, an l
/ il took the appointment clerk just Two
/ hours and a half to decipher. The text
/ follows:
/ Washington, ID. c., March l. 1861
! Dear Sir: l have known Hon. j. b.
/ Griunell for several years as a most up
right. able, worthy citizen, first OF our
/ city, since OF Iowa. and l am sure he
/ has ever borne a high character. wher-
( ever known. I 90 not presume to com
mend his selection for any particular