Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-11-30
Charles Town postoffice Fight Settled.

Charles Town P0St0IIlce Flgnt Setueo'
The Washington correspondent OF
the Baltimore American of Tuesday
sends the following to that paper:
The Postofice Depart tent has final
ly decided the vexed question OF the
postmastership at Charles Town, W:
Va. Capt. II. @ Getzendanner, who had
the recommendation OF Senator Ell
kins for the place, will be appointed
by the President. The incumbent,
George Porterfeld, will De allowed to
serve out his term, which does not ex-
pire until 1907
This Charles Town case has been
before the Postofice Department since
last June. Porterfelds administra-
ton of the office, it is stated, has be-
come thoroughly satisfactory, and the
postofice was practically run by his
deputy, Mr.. Bradley. 1t was under
stood the Postofice Department in
tended removing Mr.. Porterfeld. and
bitter contest sprung up over the
appointment of his successor. The
county organization Of Jefferson coun-
ty recommended Mr.. Bradley, but
the Republicans of Berkeley county,
headed by Fish Commissioner Bowers,
selected Captain Getzendanner, and
Senator Elkins indor ed Captain
Getzendanner in spite of the bitter
opposition of the Jefferson county Re.
publicans, who claimed that the coun-
ty organization Of Jefferson should be
permitted to name Mr.. Porter6elds
successor.
In accordance with the regular
procedure OF the Postotfce Depart
ment, postoffice inspector had been
sent to Charles Town, and his report
indicated that a change Of postmas-
tiers would benefit the service. Mean
time Mr.. Porterfeld's friends had not
been idle. They submitted to the
Postofiice Department that whatever
irregularity of administration occur
red under Mr.. Porterfeld could be
explained by the latters i'll health,
and the certificates submitted by
Porterfelds physicians were OF such
a convincing nature that the depart
ment sent up a second inspector,
whose report was so favorable to Mr..
Porterfeld that action in the matter
was suspended.
Meanwhile Senator Eikins, listen
ing to the importuning of Jefferson
county, sought to arrange with his
candidate, Captain Getzendanner,
that in the event of his appointment
he would retain Mr.. Bradley as his
deputy to placate the county organi-
zation. Captain Getzendanner re-
fused to make any promises, claiming
that if be was appointed postmaster
he would run the office to suit him
self, as the department would hold
him responsible. Senator Elkins, ac-
cordingly, cooled somewhat 10 his ar
dor for Captain Getzeud~nner.
The Postofiice Department, finding
it impossible TO reconcile the rrpot,
of the second postofice inspector with
that of the first, sent up third In
spector, and his report has just been
been made to Assistant Postmaster
General De Graw. In view of the
statements made by the third inspect
or, supporting the findings of his i'm
mediate predecessor, the Postofice-
Department today decided that Mr..
Porterfeld shall not be removed.
Under the decision reached today
further action in Porterfeld's case
will be deferred 50 long as he gives
the Office his personal attention, as he
is now doing, and keeps the service
up to the standard. According to
the report of the last inspector, it is
entirely satisfactory to the patrons
of the Office. In view of Captain
Getzendanner' refusal to accede to
Senator Elklns request for the re-
tention of NJ. Bradley, the decision
of the Postofice Department not to
remove Porterfeld is entirely salts
factory to Senator Elkins.