The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-16
Montgomery Postmaster
 ship in Balance.
TALK OF HIS SUCCESSOR
Referees Tell One Story Washington Sends Another.
Inspector McCrea Said to Have Sfrong- Iy Criticized Method of Se- lectfnE Clerks in Report
 to Department.

Collector of Alabama and co-advisor with Captain Charles H. Scott of Montgomery. of President Roosevelt's administration, says that Postmaster C. W. Buckley of Montgomery, has heen removed First Assistant Post master General Hitchcock, in charge of the Postofice Department in the ab- sence of Postmaster General Cortelyou, says Postmaster Buckley has not been removed. Postmaster Buckley Is wholly without information on the sub ton yesterday afternoon asking for in- formation. but did not receive an an- swer.
 This interesting situation develop ed yesterday after Mir. Thompson had tefephoned from his home in Tuskegee to Postmaster Buckley that he had been removed and that Captain Scott mend his successor. The telephonic call of MT. Thompson was answered by Assistant Postmaster Henry r. IT, win, who conversed with MT. Thomp- son for his chief. MT. Thompson told Mir. Irwin that the Montgomery Post master had been removed for incompe- tency, charges against him having been preferred by a postoffice inspect or and that the Postoffice Department had requested Captain Scott and him. self to recommend a postmaster to suc- ceed Postmaster Buckley.
 Term Ends Next May.
 The term of Postmaster Buckley will not expire until May. 1906, and the news telephoned to Montgomery created con- sternation among Federal officials here. friends. offthe Postmaster It is no se- cret ttiat*M MT. Thompson' and Captain Scott are politically unfriendly to the Montgomery Postmaster. and for some time 1t has been whispered that Post master Buckley would have a hard time next year when the question of his reappointment came about.
 It Is understood that the charges against the postmaster were preferred by Postoffice Inspector M. W. McCrea, who was transferred from Montgomery to Spokane. Wash. about a month ago. They relate to certain appointments In the local office, but are not of a seri- ous character.
 Postmaster Buckley said yesterday that his attention was drawn to the re- port of the inspector by First Assistant Postmaster General Hitchcock. and that a satisfactory explanation had been made of the criticisms contained In the reports against him. He said, further, that the business of the postoffice had shown steady increase, and that he had not had any friction with patrons of the office, and that he was quite posi- tive his accounts were scrupulously cor rect,
 Irwin on the Slate.
 It Is no secret at the Federal building that MT. Thompson and Captain Scott are desrous of securing the appoint ment of Assistant Postmaster Irwin to the place from which the Postmaster Is to be busted. Captain Scott Is now in Washington and numerous telegrams were sent to him yesterday concerning the prospective vacancy.
 MT. Thompson passed through Mont gomery yesterday evening en route from Tuskegee to his headquarters in Birmingham. He was here just long enough to run from an incoming train to an outgoing train. and 1t was inn possible to secure an interview with him at the railway station.
 Arriving in Birmingham last night MT. Thompson was interviewed by a representative of The Advertiser with the following result:
 Birmingham. Aug. 15.-(Special.)--J o. Thompson who returned here tonight from Tuskegee said that the removal of Judge Buckley as postmaster of Montgomery was not the work of the referees of the President The change in the ofice Is the result of an investi- gation made by Postofice Inspector Mo Crea who was transferred a short time since to Spokane. As to ths charges made MT. Thompson said he could not at this time divulge.
 Thompson is Elusive.
 Mr. Thompson was questioned closely as to the charges, but he shook his head and replied that he had nothing whatever to say about them. That there has been a removal. he said. there was no doubt The referees have been asked to make a recomm endatIon as to a successor. Judge Buckley will re- main responsible for the office until he has been checked out or his successor has been appointed. qualified and check ed in As to who will be his success sor is a matter of much doubt though Mir Thompson said that the people of Montgomery have been asked to make recommendation.
 The term of Judge Buckley would not expire until May 1906. It has not been the policy of the referees. Mir Thomp- son said, to recommend any removal from office nor to recommend any one as a successor to an offlceholder unless asked to do so by the departments at Washington or when the term of an officer is about to expire. The re- ferees have not heretofore asked for an investigation into any officeholder. he said, and this rule was followed in the case of Judge Buckley. What might have happened in May next had Judge Buckley held Is matter not now to be considered.
 The report of Inspector McCrea went to the department at Washington and while its contents are known. no definite statement will be made by MT. Thompson.
 Referee Says He Was Surprised.
 He went to his office with the cor respondent of The Advertiser tonight after his arrival here and made the following statement:
 T will not give out any particulars as to the change at Montgomery. Mir. scott nor myself have anything what aver to do with movements of postofice inspectors nor do we have any commu- xr1ttb fhAna WhafAvaP WA