The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-09-12
Washington News
Items Of Interest From Our CT
respondent, George w.
= Summers.

gress is not in session. All thv
Senators and Congressman from
West Virginia have gone home
and the capitol is practically dc
serted by West Virginians; re
there is news of interest at home
in spite of their departure.
One of the most important de-
velopments since the adjourn
ment of Congress and the de-
parture of the members for their
homes is that which places the
Post Office department of the
United States on record as refus-
ing to appoint even a fourth
class postmaster in West Virgin
la without the endorsement of
Nathan B. Scott, of Washington,
formerly Senator from West Vir-
ginia, and Sam V. Mathews,
chairman of the Republican
State committee Of West Vir-
ginia, and State Bank examiner.
The attitude of the Post Offic :
Department toward the appoint
ment of postmasters in the State
has been well known and it is
not news that before a postmast-
er could be appointed he had to
have the endorsement Of former
Senator N. B. Scott and Sam V.
Mathews, State Chairman. but it
is news that the Department has
gone officially on record in the
presence of witnesses as stating
openly that no postmaster can be
appointed, under any circum-
stances whatsoever, in West Vir-
ginia without the approval of
these two Republican bosses.
While the incident occurred
some weeks ago, before Con-
gresham Hamilton left for his
home. it has just leaked out here
that the first assistant Postmast-
er General, who acts as Post
master General when that off
cial is away from the office, in
formed Congressman Hamilton
directly as to the policy of the
Department in regart to West
Virginia post office appoint
ments, and did so in the pres
ence of witnesses, who can cor
roborate the statement if neces-
sary.
Mr.. Hamilton went to the
Post Office Department to see
about the reestablis hment Of the
Post Office at West Fork, Writ
county which had been discontin-
ued, as the Department stated,
because the postmaster had re-
signed and no one could be found
to accept the Office. Because Of
the inconvenience to the people
Of that community special effort
was made to get postmaster
and man was found who agreed
to accept the office. Congress
man Hamilton explained the sit.
uation to the fourth Assistant
Postmaster General and asked
the establishment of the office.
He was told by the Fourth AS
sistant that he would reestabIisf
the office at once if the appoint
ment of a postmaster would bt
guaranteed by the First Assistant
Postmaster General, who hai
charge of all appointments.
Mr.. Hamilton then went to the
First Assistant, DIR. Grandfeld
and explained the situation. H,
replied that the office ought to b.
reopened but that even unde
these circumstances he could no
appoint a postmaster for tn
Office till he had been endorsed b,
the Republican national commit
teeman and Sam V. Mathews
State chairman.
The endorsement of these Re
publican bosses was obtained an,
the office was reestabli3hed. bu
after Mr.. Hamilton had left tn
city and long after it should hav
been done. Senator Scott en-
dorsed the application at ono
but Chairman Mathews delaye
for some time doing so and tn
people of West Fork were dc
prived Of their post office muc
longer than was necessary.
When Frank II. Hitchcock
now Postmaster General. the
running the steam roller for Car