The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-23
BLACKBURN SUFFERS DEFEAT
as Postmaster at AsheviIle-Other
North Carolina Contests Settled.

Washington, d. c.. January 16.-The
nomination Of W. w. Rollins to be
postmaster at Asheville will probably
be confirmed by the Senate tomorrow.
1t has already been favorably reported.
Representative Blackburn decided TO
waive all objections, and Senator Sim
mons did not attach sufficient impor-
lance TO the charges made against Mr..
Rollins by a firm in Winston to op
pose confirmation. The West Ashe-
Vile charges, which have been made
by various persons, failed of a sponsor
at the last moment.
Briefly old that is the story of the
situation tonight, following a series of
conferences at the capitol today with
reference to the Asheyille postofsce,
in which State Chairman Rollins, Post
master Rollins, National Committee
man Duncan and Congressman Gud-
ger participated.
The chairman, committeeman and
postmaster arrived from Asheville his
morning and were at the Capitol
early. They saw Congressman Gud-
ger the first thing and then repaired
to the Senate side to await the arrival
OF Senator Simmons. In the mean
time Representative Blackburn hap-
pened along. There was much bowling
and scraping. and then the two bitter
contestants for party control, after ex-
changing the time of day, moved to a
corner in the Marble Room. Chairman
Rollins wanted the major confirmed to-
day and wasn't slow in saying so.
Blackburn was not in a hurry 10
pave the way for confirmation. and
then adjournment was had to the post
office committee room.
Rollins unfolded his wishes to
Senator Scott of West Virginia, who.
it is declared, said that he would not
act without the consent of Congress-
mar Blackburn. The President is not
popular at the Capitol just now, and
Representative Blackburn has receiv-
ed much encouragement in any efforts
he has made to hold up North Caro-
lima appointments.
After Blackburn returned to he
House, messengers of peace were on
his trail. There was something of
Cancellation about their attitude. The
terms of the agreement are moi
known, but Blackburn called Off his
dogs of a Whether there was a
consideration in the way of a peace
offering is not known. The state
ment is made that Blackburn volun-
tarily gave in as the result of An
derson's crawl. When asked for a
statement, the Congressman said:
II shall have nothing to do with
the Asheville contest. All RESPONSE
bility is with Senator Simmons"
The visiting statesmen saw the
senior Senator, who informed them
he would not oppose confirmation, and
that ended the conflict which began
with Anderson's word war and ended
with his c~apitulation.
Chairman Rollins and Collector
Duncan went into executive session
with Claude Dockery, the next United
States marshal from the East, after
leaving the Capitol. 1t is likely that
Dockery's appointment will be an
nounced this week.
DOBSON IS RECOMMENDED.
Another contest that has agitated
a good many people was settled dur
ing the day. J. A. Dobson, a third
termer, was recommended for ap-
pointment as postmaster at oGldsboro.
l.. N. Grout, son of Major H. L.
Grout, was here, and had an inter-
view with the patronage dispensers,
but failed to land.
After getting this contest off his
hands Chairman Rollins cleared his
slate of three other good ~postcfice
plums. These are ra4appointments
and the nominations, which will be
sent to the Senate this week, are as
follows: Littleton. Mac. w. Furgeson;
Scotland, A. B. Hill; Williamson, J.
M. Sitterton.-Special to News and OBJ
server