Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-30
THE NEW POSTMASTER
While Not a Surprise il Has
Caused Much Comment
FROM POLITICAL STANDPOINT
Recognition Of Senator Alice
as Patronage Dispenser.
NOT A HARMONY MOVE
At Least It is Not Generally So
Regarded.
Henry q. Conrad. the Appointoe, IL "A Ma
tive Of Pennsylvania But Has Lived In
Wilmington Nearly All of HIS Life and
ien Member Of tho bar.
FROM POLITICAL STANDPOINT
Recognition Of Senator Alice
as Patronage Dispenser
NOT A HARMONY MOVE
At Least It is Not Generally So
Regarded.

While the appointment Of Henry o.
Conrad as postmaster OF Wilmington
which was announced In Every Even
ing yesterday, did not occasion sur
prise, it resulted Ia a great deal Of
comment AS most people considered
~, the appointment means that fTesi-
dent Roosevelt mad indicated thereby
that he intended 60 recognize Senator
Alice 40 the only dispenser Of Federal
patronage for Delaware. Although
MIR. Conrad is popular, the business
interests of the city appeared TO desire
che retention Of Postmaster Head, on
the ground that he had made an excel
lent record during his administfation
Of the Office, but long ago IL was pretty
generally felt that Senator Alice had
selected Mr.. Conrad and that the
President would appoint him.
IL is pretty generally admitted that
the selection OF Mr.. Conrad has not
contributed toward hnrmonizing the
Republican factions in Delaware and,
coming closely upon the appointment
of David y. Clark as collector Of Gus
toms IN place OF Robert q. Houston, it
is believed that it will have just the
opposite effect,
II is likely that Mr.. Conrad will
assume the duties Of the Office as soon
% he receives his commission, which
may be on the first of the month,
which will be Thursday Of this week.
Henry o. Conrad was born at Brides
burg, near Philadelphia, April 18th,
1892, and Is n son OF Aaron and Sarah
Conrad. His father moved 20 Will
minqton when he was but
four years old and became leading
and Influential citizen He was a
member OF City Council at the time Of
his death IN 1873
Henry q. Conrad was educated in
the public schools, and afterwards at
tended the classical schools OF A.
Clarkson Taylor and William A. Roy b
nolda. He took law course at Har-
ward University, graduating there with
the degree of LII. b. In 1879 Mr.. Con
gad was entered az a student with
Anthony Higgins and was admi ted TO
the bar November 23d, 1874. Not long
after this ne entered politics. lie has
always been q Republican and is an
excellent speaker. His public services
have been many and Of varied chRrac-
ter. In 1879 Mr.. Conrad was elected
a member OF the Board Of Education,
and served for three years, being for
the last two years president OF the
board. In 1882 he was elected presi
dent Of City Council and in 1885 was
o candidate for mayor, but was de.
ieated. lie served as United States
chief supervisor of elections for the
District of Delaware from 1879 to 1896
and in 1892 was defeated Tor county
comptroller. On the death of United
States District Judge Leonard E.
Wales. In 1897, Mr.. Oonrad's name was
mentioned in connection with the ap.
pointment of his SUCCESSOR. lie wal
elected city solicitor in 1897 and served
one term.
MIR. Conrad was owner and editor
Of the Morning News in 1880 and 1881.
He has devoted special attention &
the education of oulored people and FOL
10 years was actuary Of the African
School Society. Mr.. Conrad has taker
especial pleasure In Delaware history
and few years ago wrote a history O
the State. lie Is librarian of the II is
torical Society Of Delaware and a mem
Der Of the knights OF Pythias and Rec
Men.
Mr. Conrad was married in 1894 {,
Sarah j. LcnRaker of Norristown, Pa.
who Is now deceased. lie has tive
daughters, Edith l.. and Rachel h
Conrad. For many years Mr. ConraS
has been member of Grace M. H.
Church.
Joseph Bringhurst was the first post
master OF Wilmington in 1890, whel
the postal system was first establishe,
by the government. His Office was OF
the VISIT side Of Market etreet jus
below Fourth, which also was use,
~ drug store by the postmaster
Daily mails we're then received by pos
from Philadelphia and Baltimore
Mr.. bringhurst held the office unit
1898, When he was succeeded by Mich
olaa q. Williamson, = lawyer. Tn
government building at Sixth an
King streets was built in 1850; prior {
that time the postoiioe was In privat
stores and places OF business. One @
the old offices was on Fifth street ives
Of Shipley, aud at one time il was i
she home OF Edward Tatnali, an aotiv
and public spirited man.
The Federal Building. at Sixth an
King streets, was used as postohic
until April 10th, 1897. when it wa
moved TO the new building at Mint
and Shipley streets, where it now ID
The new building was erected by To
government at the cost Of about
quarter Of a million of dollars.
The salary Of postmaster has in
creased from very small rittance {
So 600 a year, and he has an assistant
the incumbent being NJ. Howard JET
ter. About 30 Clerks and 40 carrier
are required to do the work.
REGUl ABS DISAPPOINTED