The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-08-15
HARD FEELING IN RUTLAND
Postmaster Appointment Creates
Some Resentment.

SSNhS nSoSHtNHSHts
Montpelier, Aug. 13.-The Journal
prints the following special from Rut-
land:
Rutland, August 12.-With the ap-
pointment of George r. Pease as post
master Of this city the contest for
that Office is ended but the whole
story has not yet been told. Beneath
the surface there is 4 gaad deal of bad
feeling and it Is evident that con
siderable time will elapse before nor
NAL political conditions are restored.
Gossip which the Journal represent
tatiye hears in substance is as fol-
lows:
Postmaster John A. Sheldon died
on July 20 but il had been apparent
for some time that he could not re-
cover from his illness. When the va
cancy in the Office occurred, there
were five candidates for the position.
These were ex-Mayor r. l.. Rich
mond, former United States Marshal
Fred A. Field, United States Commits
sioner James A. Merrill, Charles T..
Fairfield, editor OF the Rutland News.
and Assistant Postmaster George +.
Pease. While. OF course, the Presl-
den appoints the Postmaster of a city
the size OF Rutland, under ordinary
circumstances the actual choice is
LETT with the Congressman of the dis
trict in which the vacancy occurs.
As already announced in the Jour
nal, Congressman Foster recommend
ed the choice of Mr.. Pease and the
President has nominated him for the
vacant postmaster. The state
ment made by Mr. Foster was 10 the
effect that Mr.. Pease, having received
good-sized majority of the names
attached to the petitions. he was sci.
ected as being the popular choice for
the Office.
The story that the Journal man
hears Is that other candidates did not
understand at the outset OF the con.
test that general petitions would be
necessary but that letters OF endorse
ment from substantial people OF the
community were desired. Il Is claim.
ed further that II was but two DAYS
before the time for closing the con-
est that four of the five candidates
knew that general petitions would de-
eide the matter. Mr.. Pease secured
about 700 signatures on his petition.
In the last two days of the contest
)ne candidate who had already sent
In about 1876 letters OF endorsement
secured POI names on his petition.
He claims that In a weeks time he
'ould have secured 1900 names. Il Is
said that Mr.. Foster was asked TO ex.
end the time OF the contest few
lays when II was known that peti.
ions were desired but declined 10 do
70. The political affiliations of the
are said to have been as
ollows: Mr.. Field was konwn as n
trong supporter OF DR.. John Mead |
md 7. w. Clement; Mr.. Richmond |
vas strong Proctor man; Mr.. Fair. |
leld has been supporter OF both |
rector and Mead; Judge Merrill has
'een a follower OF p. w. Clement:
While Mr. Pease has not allied him.
elf with any faction having been In
he postal service in one capacity or
mother for about thirty years.
II is understood that Mr.. Clement
esired the appointment OF Mr.. Field
at his appointment was not looked
N as being probable by those
n the inside. IL is said that Judge
ierrill expected Mr.. Clements sup.
ort as second choice but that Con.
ressman Foster did not see ne to SO.
,ct man who had been an active
'lement supporter. Therefore Mr..
lements influence went TO Pease.
3 the story goes. Or. Mead endorsed
9th Field and Fairfield and this has
reused deep resentment.
These are some OF the stories that
ne hears as an aftermath OF the con.
Est for Postmaster. What the effect
I'LL be on Doctor Mead's vote for
Governor In this city this fall and ON
he Congressional situation two years
ence remains 10 be seen. At the
resent time, however, the actual sit
ation Is far from being harmonious
IS some reports have indicated.