Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-06-12
NAME TAEr DEMOCRAT
FOR CITY POSTMASTER
Well Defined Tsumor That Choice
Made.

Persistent rumors afloat today
would seem 20 indicate that the Of
ice OF Richmond postmaster has al
ready been formally rendered BY
President Taft and that the fortu-
nate appOintee IS no other than
Charles r. Wortham. OF this city.
prominently known as an anti
Bryan man and a Taft-Democrat.
Rumor further has Il that Mr.. Wor-
IMAM has declined to accept the Of
nee except with the unqualified un-
derstanding that its acceptance shall
IN nowise interfere with his present
business. Mr.. Wortham is not i'm
the city today
When the first news Of the rumor-
ed appointment reached the Federal
Building this morning the informa-
ton fell as a bolt from the blue.
The report is meeting with ready
credence. Postmaster Cabell could
not be communicated with this morn
ing.
Many OF the wiseacres affirm that
the appointment OF a Taft-Democrat
TO Federal position is in perfect
harmony and distinct accord with
the past and predicted policies of
the present administration. although
there are not lacking those who ex-
press Il as their conviction that the
postofhce plum should not be shaken
into the lap OF any other than
staunch and consistent follower OF
the Republican party here.
With regard TO the appointment OF
Mr.. Wortham. IL is recalled that his
name has before been prominently
mentioned as that OF the prospective
successor TO Postmaster Royal T..
Cahell. Mr.. Wortham. who Is senior
member in the onice OF Wortham &,
| Hatke, general agents for the Spring
I held Fire and Insurance Company.
/ American National Bank building,
has the reputation OF never having
cast a ballot for William Jennings
Bryan, and OF having evolved from
a Gold into a Taft Democrat. He
Is said 20 be "a close personal friend
| OF Lawyer Henry W. Anderson. who.
IL is surmised. has advocated his an
| pointment az the White House.
II was reported at the Office os
| WORKMAN q Hatke this morning that
1 MT. Wortham was in Lynchburg to-
/ day and would not return 10 the
/ city before Thursday.
The friends nf Mr.. WOrtham are
| preparing TO congratulate him upou
his return. II is not known whether
or not he viii accept the appo. Mt
4 ment
From prominent Republican
sources II is learned that Mr..
workman, who is native Rich
hohder and a former Democrat. has
Tor the past eighteen years voted
nothing but the straight Republican
4 tichet, and who was associated with
the recent Taft-Democratic move
| ment In this city, not as a member of
that orsanization, but as a straight
out-and-out Republican.
Being we'll known and highly es-
teemed here, Doth in business and
! social circles. Mr.. Wortham took a
prominent part in the Taft-Demo-
cratic movement when thar move
ment was espoused by the business
Mems Club of Richmond, headed bv
Lawyer Henry w. Anderson. Mr..
Wortham assumed a prominent At
utude in the movement.
FROM reliable and semi-oficial
sources comes the information that
Mr. Wortham is advocated for the
local postmastership by many 90 ~
most influential Republican politi-
clans in the State. Republicans sis
| cusslng the rumored appointmept
are extremely 10th 70 be quoted for
the reason that a bitter fight is now
IN progress over the coveted Federal
/ position.
This fight emanstes from the old
Split In the local Republican ranks.
| whlch has for many years divided
the Richmond followers of the q
.. p, and which seems directed
against the appointment of Edgar
Allan, Jr., who, occupying the posi-
uon or assistant postmaster. would
seem 10 stand next in line OF promo
tion
The interesting feature OF the
hght in question is the alleged fact
that some OF its bitterness has been
removed 70 Washington. where
Postmaster General Hitchcock is
said TO favor Edgar Allan. while
strong outside influence is being
brought TO bear on the President to
appoint Mr.. WOrtham TO the Office.
from local indications it would
appear that Mr.. Wortham enjoys the
stronger following and the wider
popularity, his friends and adherepts
Oelng counted by hundreds in the
ranks of both parties while the local
Iaft-Democratic constituency will be
as a unit in its unbroken advocacy.
MT. Wortham enjoys an amazing
opularity.-Richmond Va. Journal
June 8, 1909.