The sun., 1904-12-04
WILCOX TO Be POSTMASTER.
ODELL WANTED MARKS, BUT
PLATT OPPOSED HIM.
The President Regarded the Governor
Chairman's Candidate With Favor Until
the Senior senator ObJected-Merrtt
10 He Reappointed In Washington


10 He Reappolnted In Washington.
WASHINGTON, Dec st was announced
this morning that the President had de-
tieled to appoint William X, Wiloox Post
master at New York, to succeed the late
,ornelius Van Cott. Mr.. Wilcox's name
will be sent TO the Senate next Tuesday
The decision to appoint MIR. Wilcox is
result OF the conference which took place
between the President and Senator Platt
at the White House. Only three names
we're discussed at the meeting. and these
we're William r. Wilcox, Marcus M. Marks
and Theodore P. Gilman.
Senator Platt was opposed to Marks,
although the President had been some
what inclined to regard his candidacy with
favor. This name was Immediately stricken
from the list OF aspirants, however. and
the contest narrowed down to Mr.. Wilcox
and Mr.. Gilman.
Mr.. Platt had always regarded Mr.. Will
: COZ highly, and he was glad to have him
, apponted to the Postmastership. This
was acceptable to the President, and the
appointment was decided upon although
no announcement of the selection was
made until this morning.
Senator Platt also secured the reappoint-
nent of John A. Merritt of Lockport, N. Y.
as Postmaster at Washington. Mr.. Merritt's
name will be sent TO the Senate with Mr.
Willco1's next Tuesday.
President Roosevelt in appointing Mr..
Wilcox carried out the usual policy OF the
Republican party since its Organization
that Federal appointments OF this mag
nitude should be made on the recon-
nendation OF the United States Senator
from the State concerned. Immediately
after election day President Roosevelt
caused 1t to be emphasized that he would
follow this precedent and Senators Platt
and Depew indorsed Mr.. Wilcox, while
Governor Ch arman Odell indorsed Marcus
Marks. the defeated aspirant for the place.
Mr. Marks was looked upon in Washington
and New York as the Odell candidate, and
Mr.. Odell both as Governor and as State
chairman, departed from the rule in putting
I'D a candidate against the candidate Of
the Senators.
President Roosevelt, in appointing Mr.
Wilcox, has also emphasized the announce
, nents recently made from Washington
that Mr.. Odell. either as Governor or as
State chairman, viii not be factor in
IiS rSi@Neioh' -S'
appointments in the State.
Mr.. Wilcox was showered with con-
eratulations by telegraph and telephone
and by friends who called on him at his
law office, 30 Nassau street. He said it
was rather early to talk about the matter,
as be had not been officially notified Of his
appointment.
If it is true he said that am to be
ia
firmed by the Senate. I shall certainly
accept the office. although ] made little
personal effort to secure it, Mr.. Will
cox was recommended for Postmaster
by many leading business and professional
men in this city.
The only political office that Mr.. Will
cox has ever held was that of Park Com
missioner for Manhattan and Richmond
under Mayor Low. Although not an active
rarty worker, he was not unfriendly to
the local Republican organization. His
administration Of the department gave
satisfaction. especially his resistance to
snv encroachments npon Central Park
and TO in considered changes in the estab-
lisbed scenic lines While in Office he
accomplished much in the way of small
parks in congested sections and play
grounds IoT tne chiluIeh VI the poci' he
opened Seward Park, which had cost
100000; installed gymnasium apparatus
in twelve other places Of II ration and
initiated the work on the Dc II Clinton
' Civic and Thomas jefferson parks.
Mr.Willcox was born in Chenango county
forty-one years ago and was graduated
from the University OF Rochester. He is
president Ct the Society Of the Genesee
After teaching several years up the State he
entered the Columbia aw school and
was graduated in 1889. He was defeated
for Congress in the Thirteenth district
in 1900 by o. II. P. Belmont. He has lone
been interested in philanthropio work or
the East side He was married last veal
A.. n Lnunhior az 4 HnNemaver