The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-03-05
SITUATION IN THE EIGHTH
SEN. BEvERIDGE PROTESTS
Takes Exceptions to Postmssters Rec.
commended at Muneie, EIwood and
Anderson-caiIs on the President in
Regard to Matter.

the history of Eighth district politics
has there been raised such furore
over the appointment OF postmasters
at Elwood, Muncie and here. The
three-cornered fight has become SO
bitter that President Roosevelt has
recalled the recommendations sent to
the senate and the old men will con-
tinue to serve temporarily.
The fight centers here in Anderson.
Robert p. Grimes, the present post
master. who was notified that he
would be succeeded by Harry Hardie.
again holds the whip hand. Ex-Gov-
ernor Durbin championed the cause
of Harry Hardie, and the announce
ment tonight that his man had lost
was a severe blow to him. Congress
man George w. Cromer, who retires
the appointment is being held up for
the present.
Beverage on War Path.
Washington, March 4.-Develop-
ments are following each other in
rapid succession in the Eighth dis
trict patronage contest. Senator Bev.
eridge had on his fighting clothes
Sunday, and he did not try to disguise
the fact that he was mad clear
through. At one time he made up his
mind to sever diplomatic relations
with Senator Hemenway, to suspend
the writ of habeas corpus and to
wage war all along the line. Later his
anger abated somewhat, and he in
vited Senator Hemenway down into
the senate restaurant, where they had
a talk.
The sum and substance of Senator
Beveridge's allegations is that a deal
was arranged between Representative
Cromer and Frank H. Hitchcock, first
assistant postmaster general, where
by w. A. Finch, postmaster of FL
wood: Robert p. Grimes, postmaster
of Anderson. and David Lambert.
postmaster of Muncie, were to resign
in order that Cromer might name
their successors before the Eighth
district patronage passed over to the
control of the senator's; that these
designations were called for and OBJ
tanned on basis of stale charges, al
1eging that the three postmasters
were unduly active in raising money
from postal employees and pushing
the interests of Cromer several years
ago, and that the men selected by
Cromer to succeed Finch, Grimes and
Lambert bore the o. K. of Senator
Hemenway and Representative Wat
son.
Came Like Thunderciap.
There was time, as already stated
in the dispatches, whAn Cromer was
within reach of the postmastership
Of Muncie. His name would have
been sent to the senate last Friday
had not Senator Beverage interven-
ed. When President Roosevelt sent
the name of Harry p. Hardie to the
senate for postmaster of Anderson,
Senator Beveridge went sin the air"
1t was like a thunderclap out of
clear sky to him.
He hurried to the White House and
asked for an explanation. He told the
President that IL Cromer were allow
ed to name the postmasters of Ell
wood, Anderson and Muncie, the
three strategic points of the Eighth
district would pass into the hands of
as superb an organizer as Indiana
ever produced (meaning Cromer),
and that the advantage gained would
not be used for the benefit of himself
(the President), or for any one who
enjoyed the Presidents favor.
President Roosevelt accepted Sen
ator Reyeridge's statements and in
The presence of the senior Indiana
senator he tore up the recommends |
ton which Cromer had submitted for |
the appointment Of Frank Leslie |
as postmaster of Muncie and
directed that the name of Harry p.
Hardie for postmaster OF Anderson |
be recalled post haste from the SEN
ate