The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-21
BLAIN v. TAYLOR
WILL JOIN DAVIS
Chief Clerk of POStOfiice De-
partment in Politics.
TO WORK IN WEST VIRGINIA
Returns to Home in Elkins to Serve
Vice Presidential Nominee
and Practice Law.

Blain w Taylor, for eight years
chief clerk of the Postoifice Department,
retired from that Office today and was
succeeded by Merritt o. Chance. recent
~ private secretary to Secretary Root.
Mr.. Taylor's name will be continued on
the rolls until August 20 pending the eX-
piration of leave Of absence still due
him. Meanwhile Mr. Chance will be
acting chief clerk.
Mr.. Taylor's plans include brief rest
at some seaside resort and al active
part in the Democratic campaign in
West Virginia. His home Is in ElKins.
he and ex-senator Henry G. Davis are
friends Of many years standing, and his
acquaintance among the people OF West
Virginia is intimate and wide The
state managers for the Democratic par
~ are anxious. therefore. that Mr. Tay-
Tor shall join them as soon Is possible
and 1t IS likely he may remain at the
coast only Il day or so and b. hard at
work by next Monday. After the cam
paign he win practice law
Rose in Service Rapidly.
In ten years service IN the Postof-
fee Department, Mr.. Taylor has risen
with unusual rapidly IL came to
Washington after learning the railway
mail service from the inside of a PCS
tai car. Postmaster General Bissel at
once appointed him chief Clerk OF the
Dead Letter Office. After g bout a year
he was made superintendent OF he Di-
vision Of Postofice Supplies -Four
months after that appointment ne was
made CHER clerk President Cleveland
extended the protection of the civil SER
vice law to include the office OF chief
clerk in all the departments soon after
Mr.. Taylors promotion. and under the
operation of that law. Mr. Taylor has
given efficient service to one Democratic
Administration and two Republican Nd
ministratiOns.
All this time he has looked toward a
| law practice in his old home in Elkius.
lie is 4 native of West Virginia. and has
/ for his residence the old Taylor house
which his grandfather built. which has
/ never passed out of Taylor hands, and
| where Mr. Taylor was born. He obtained
his education there-eXcept that he was
graduated from the FairmOnt State
Normal S1hool-served as an assessor
/ to revalue the lands of his county, was
twice elected superintendent of the cOun-
/ ~ schools. and was appointed from III
| kins 20 be chief clerk to the State sec
rotary Of State To these interests In
| Elkins has been added the ownership
Il
| Valley News" the leading newspaper
| of Randolph county.
Many Expressions of Esteem.
On his retirement this morning Nr.
| Taylor-although a regular and out
! spoken Democrat-was the object Of sin
| cere good wishes from all the prominent
/ officials of the department. The Post
master General wrote 10 him:
| 1t gives me pleasure 10 testify 10 tht
/ fact that no shadow or suspicion OF
| wrOugdolng has fallen upon your Othce
/ during your administration of its affairs
/ J wish FOR you In the future success 81
! any vocation I'm life which YOU MAY
/ follow
| Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
! Bristow sent Mr.. Taylor a letter ID
! which he said:
! During my official relations. extend
/ ing over period Og seven years, / have
/ learned TO appreciate your high personal
! character and strict integrity. 1 desire
also to express my appreciation Of your
/ co-Operq ton aad assistance during Jht
I departmental invests cation last year.
/ with YOU the greatest success in what
| ever business YOU may engage.
| A dozen or more other letters We're re-
| cliVed Among them, one which gave
! Ir. Taylor particular pleasure. express
| ed the esteem of Second Assistant Post
! master General Sh4Lenberger In the FOL
! lowing terms.
"H.s relations with our Office hav,
/ been pleasant at all times and markei
| By intelligence. integrity, and good Judg
| uent If not TOO late 10 reach MN give
hizn my kind regards and best wishes