The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-11-10
MR. HAPGOOD'S POSITION.
Believes rhus Mas No Good Reason ror
unssAilng Him.

unssAilng Him.
NJ. j. Hapgood, the unseated repre-
sentative from Peru, writes 10 the Man
chester Journal AS follows;
"In answer 10 your Inquiry as 10 low
| could get at II that fourth class post
masters do not draw their salary from
the United States treasury, allow me
10 refer you 70 tho fact that the salary
part OF the money collected from the
sale OF stamps never goes into the
United States treasury, but Is put and
retained In the postmaster's own lndl'
vldual, private safe. money.drawer or
pocket.book, as the case may be Bal
ance being forwarded TO the United
States treasury, or rather central Office
ut Rutland.
"But, take II the other way, and as
sumo that every separate post Office Is
n United States treasury. thus consid.
cred part OF the regular establish.
ment at Washington, and II certainly
was proper place o. deposit a resigna
ton before election, 10 take effect
when deposited, It's "poor rule that
won't work both ways
"Both OF our congressman are ear
nest aud outspoken 10 their belief that
in such circumstances u fourth class
postmaster is eligible to bis seat. Aud
the position was taken by pearly all
OF the legal talent In the house, as re-
corded 10y their yea and nay vote
that they were eligible, even when no
resignation had been made, either be-
fore or after election.
"The fact was undispIied that the
day before election turned everything
over to my assistant, my name being
used by his "per W. awaiting com
pletion OF settlements, just the same as
/: would have been used in case OF my
death, No. 2 Of the postal laws, pSge
.26, expressly making provision for
this sin ease OF death or resignation,
on the part OF the United States.
hPostmasters have continuously
gone In for the last ten years without
question. Ten years ago case identi-
cal, in principle, with mine, was
brought up, and an exhaustive report
brought in by the present Judge
Powers, and the postmaster ruled IN.
"My Constituents at home naturally
ask "Why was this matter not referred
as you requested. TO the Attorney Gen.
eralp' and "why this peculiar rack.
ct at this session, when We had taken
such pains TO allow the principle OF
previous experience, rather than rota.
ton. to guide US In our selection, so
exceptional In our exampleY" can
only give them my candid answer, az.
ter deliberate forethought, passion
aroused by Indignation having had
plenty OF time to cool of. This action
is the result OF preconcerted plan,
headed by interests who consider me
In tnelr way.
81 was born In the house in which
now live. My ancestors. on both sides,
dating back to the one who served and
was wounded In the Revolution, lie
buried here In my native town. To the
interests and welfare OF this town am
devoting all OF my resources and ener-
gies. This town is a part Of Vermont,
and cannot be separated therefrom,
and has always been represented In
the Legislature by a line of worthy men.
There will still be representative at
the capital during the remainder Of the
session to look after her interests,
"without money and without price,
and who will faithfully bring home a
report OF proceedings "without fear or
favor of any man."
Peru, Nov. 5. NJ. J. Hapgood.