The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-24
PRESIDENT IGNORES
SENATORS WISHES
IN NAMING LAWSON
Congressman Saunders Also
Disregarded When Wilson
Sends IN Nominee for Post
master at Danville.'
w. r. Mitchell Had Been Rec
commended by Virginia Sen.
ators and His Representa-
tive. Confirmation Will Be
Fought in Senate.

Especial to The Richmond virginian.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA few
minutes before adjournment for the
Christmas holidays this afternoon
President Wilson sent to the senate
the nomination of James A. Lawson,
to be postmaster at Danville. Law
son was nominated at the urging OF
Eugene Withers. OF Danville. promi
nent Progressive" Democrat. who
was instrumental in securing the
constitutional convention In Virginia
Representative Saunders o m e
months ago recommended the APP
pointment of w. r. Mitchell as post
master. and he was also endorsed by
both senators, and the greater por-
ton of the Virginia delegation
Opposed BY Withers-
Mitchell has been opposed by
Withers and his friends ever since
he WAS first recommended. Withers
had several personal conferences with
President Wilson ON the matter.
Mr. Saunders called on Postmas-
ter-G eneraI Burlcson "A score of times
in behalf OF Mitchell. and finally took
matter up directly with President VIII
con.
1t was believed that he had received
the presidents promise TO appoint
Mitchell, and Burlesons promise that
he would be appointed soon" any
number of times.
Both senators and other members
OF the delegation also called and
urged Mitchelrs appointment
After hanging fire six months the
appointment was taken to the White
House yesterday, and both Bmrieson
ana f'TvE1dsrt \ ttyrTH formally APP
proved MHchelrs nomination.
But when the nominations came
from the White House last midnight
Danviile had been blue penciled from
the list. and beneath the blue pencil
appeared the name Of LAWSON tn
stead of Mitchell. Iawson's noratna-
by itself just before adjournment
this afternoon.
WIN Not Be Confirmed.
II Ia almost q certainty that Law
son will never be confirmed as post
master as both Senators Martin and
Swanson are extremely anxious TO ap-
point Mitchell Lawson cannot be
given recess appointment" during
the Christmas holidays. as his noni-
nation has never been rejected. So
that n pretty deadlock Is in sight
The other Virginia postmasters who
we're nominated at midnight are: Hay
r. Thornton. at Richmond; William
C. Menefee, at Rocky Mount, and
Charles Funkhouser. at Dayton--were
not confirmed today. and no further
action can be taken In their cases
until the middle OF January.
Danvfile Surprised.
DANvILLE. VA. Dec. 2s.--Con-
siderable surprise was manifested here
when announcement came from
mNt hat frsr.f Low nyu}
Rurleson had recommended the APP
pointment of James A. Lawson TO be
postmaster of Danvflle.
Mr. Lawson was nominted by the
Wilson and Marshall club, of this
city about a year ago. at a meeting
called on one days notice, and which
did not state the object of the call.
Some Of the asptrants were not even
Informed. and there were not sum
cient members from one ward to make
up It's quota OF three on nominating
committee The nomination was
made by seventeen men.
Representative Saunders had urged
the nomination of Alderman William
r. Mitchell, of this city, and the two
senators stood by the man named by
tho representative. Confirmation will
almost certainly be delayed, perhaps
indefinitely.
Mr.. Lawson has been a livery man
here for years, and Is well known.
and there liz no objection to him what
ever, personally. He has not been
actively identified with party affairs,
however. certainly not so actively as
Mitchell.