The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-20
FACTION FIGHTS
STILL CONTINUE
Up IN FRANKLIN
Two Political Clans in That
Township Still Reveling in
The Luxury of Political Hos
tiIities.
POST OFFICE is NOW
CAUSE OF BIG ROW
Postmaster Pyle Ayers That
Jones Faction Buys Supplies
OF Rural Carrier to Cut Into
His Salary.

The fight between the factions of
Franklin township of which Thomas
Pyle, the postmaster, and DR.. Arthur
Jones, druggist and physician. are ac-
cepted as the leaders continues unin-
terruptCtd and storm clouds seem to
be just as black as they did several
years ago. Just when the residents of
this township began to develop a fac
tional feeling is a matter of history
dating way back, according to those
familiar with the circumstances.
Many lively scenes have been wit
messed in that township. However,
just at the present times that faction
of which Thomas Pyle is the accepted
leader, because OF his official capacity
as postmaster of Whitewater, is in the
lead, but its star of destiny is not safe
ly in the ascendancy as yet
Bone Of Contention.
The postoffice. which is perhaps the
most important office in the township.
seems to be the bone OF contention
Postmaster Pyle was in the city re-
Gently and made complaints about
Alexander Martin, rural carrier No. I.
out of this city, being allowed to sell
stamps and other postal supplies and
also accept uncancelled mail from resi-
dents of Franklin township, who are
not his regular patrons. He says that
rightfully this business belongs to the
Whitewater pOstoffice.
Mr.. Martins route extends into
Franklin-4tAWnship, although it does
not by any means cover the township.
Mr.. Pyle said that those who had allied
themselves with what is known as the
Jones' faction would meet Mr.. Martin
on his route and purchase supplies and
also turn over to him mail which they
wanted delivered. AS Mr. Martin
makes the local office his headquarters
he and the local office received the
credit for mail turned in here for de-
livery ard for the supplies which he
sold.
Is Fourth Glass Office.
The Whitewater postoffice is fourth
class. When a postmaster is once ap-
pointed he has position for life. pro-
viding he is an efficient officer and his
office makes good showing. The rec
ords of the fourth class offices are
carefully kept.
Fourth class postmasters receive a
small salary. but depend largely on the
commission which the postal depart
ment offers for each cancellation. This
is a fraction of cent for each article
Of first class mail. Mr. Pyle says that
his salary is being affected in no small
proportions by members of the Jones
faction buying supplies from Mr.. Mar.
tin, and also giving their mail which
if mailed at Whitewater, would give
him pyle, the benefit Of the cancella
ton commission. It seems. however
that there is no way in which the mat
ter may be corrected with justice tc
Mr. Pyle.
Postal Inspector Fletcher has been
called to investigate complaints regis.
tered by the Franklin township resi-
dents a great many times. 1t is said
that each of these Investigations has
been the result of the complainant de
string to cause trouble to some member
of the opposite faction.
Dr. Arthur Jones of Whitewater was
former postmaster. 1t is alleged his
opponents forced him out of the job.