Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-11-13
POSTMASTERSH|P
CONTEST BEGINS
Term of Incumbent
Will Not Expire
Until June.
WALTER STRONGLY FAVORED
Relies on His Excellent Rec.
ord for Re-appointment
One Other Applicant.

1t will be four years on June 80.
l9O6, since the appointment, and on
August Ii since Postmaster Paul A.
f. Walter took charge of the local
postoftlce. Although it is still a num-
Der OF months until the present term
expires, yet the contest for the ap-
pointment has been inaugurated.
There are three candidates in the
field: Mr.. Walter for reappointment
Assistant Postmaster w. G. Schnep-
pie, and Dr. David Knapp, the latter,
however, according to the latest infor-
nation, having withdrawn. Mr.. Wal
ter relies for reappointment upon the
recommendation of the Delegate to
Congress, who is generally given the
privilege of naming postmasters in his
district, the endorsement of the Ter
ritorial Republican organization, his
good record, and the endorsement OF
his friends, many of whom have come
and are coming to him without
solicitation. 1t has been the
policy of the President TO
give a second term to such officials
as have made a good record. Mr.
Schnepple expects appointment upon
his fine record as Rough Rider in
the Spanish American war and such
local endorsements as he and his
friends can secure He has made a
good record as assistant postmaster
and his petition has been extensively
signed.
Record is Good.
During the incumbency of the pres
ent postmaster many decided i'm
provements in the local mail service
have been secured through his efforts.
He has placed the Office under civil
service, giving permanency of employ
ment to experienced and skilled clerks
and as a consequence there have been
no changes in the local force OF twelve
employees since Mr.. Walter went in as
postmaster, excepting one exchange OF
letter carriers and one change in as
sistant postmaster and five OF the en-
ployes own their own homes, while
one or two others are planning
to build such. Many errors
and delays are obviated which
are inevitable where the office force
changes frequently. Mr.. Walter
secured free mail delivery for Santa
Fe, although postoffice inspectors had
twice reported against it, Out OF this
grew the movement for better SIDE
walks which has resulted in the lay
ING Of several miles of brick sidewalks
in the city. 1t also meant the en-
ployment of three carriers, all men
of family, who are spending their sal
aries in this city.
Mr.. Walter secured for the i'm
movement of the local service an IN
crease in allowances from $3,75O to
81 GOO q wear which is that much more
money nut into local circulation. Ev-
erv one remembers the old equipment
of the postoffice, antiquated and shao'
hv Through the efforts OF the pres
ont incumbent, a new equipment was
installed, the finest in the Terrltory'
Formerly, the lobby of the postomce
was closed promptly at p, m.' ana
tho money order and registry WINDOW
at s D. m. Under the new regime
nermission was secured to keep the
lobby open all night, to place an elec'
tr,c light above it's entrance and 10
keen the money order and registry
window open to p. M, Tor the az
comrnodation of business men.
Establishes Night Service.
Mr. Walter has just completed ar
raneements for night service, and in
the future, no matter how late the
trains, the mail will be distributed al
once. Many minor improvements havS
been made and others are in contem
plation. The mail service mas Deei
increased from three and four mails
each way day to six and seven
Mr.. Walter has under way LII
establishment of rural denver!
from Santa Fe to- Tesuque
Aqua Fria and Sunmount. III
will also make an effort by New yea
to have the box rents reduced fifty pc
cent and to make other minor I'm
movements for the benefit of the pal
rons of the Office. In other words, tn
present incumbent, leaves no oppol
tunity slip by to improve the loca
postoffice service.
The New Mexican need not remin
its readers that he is an exemplar
citizen who has faith i
the future prosperity of Santa Fe, VIII
is q taxpayer, who is improving loca
real estate, who is inducing others t
locate and invest in this city, who III
erally patronizes local trade, an
against whom the only objection thu