The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-23
President Sends to Sen
ate Nomination of
Richmond Man.
IN POSTAL SERVICE
FOR TWENTY YEARS
New Head of Office Is Widely
Known, and Had Endorsement
of Congressman Montague,
and More Than Three
Thousand Business
Men of City.

Tho name OF Hay T. Thornton. to be
postmaster at Richmond, was sent to
the Senate late last night by President
Wilson. The term of Edgar Allan. Jr
the present postmaster, expired on De-
cember 16. and 1T is supposed that no
will be succeeded by Mr.. Thornton
upon the confirmation of the nomina-
tion.
In Washington the belief was OK
pressed last night that the list of
nominations, in which Mr.. Thoruton's
name is included, will be considered
by the Senate before the Christmas. re-
cesa.
For several months the nomination
of Mr.. Thornton has been expected, al
though there was some delay In for
warding his name to the Senate. He
received the Endorsement Of 1000 bust :
ness men OF Richmond. and was sup
ported by Congressman Montague. His
name was sent to the President yes
terday morning by. postnaster-Gcne-
raj Rurleson.
Succeeds Edgar Allan, Jr.
The incumbent, Edgar Allan. Jr, was
appointed on December 1G 1903 by
President Taft. to serve a term of four
years. Although he took Office on
that date, his nomination was not con-
hrIncd by the Senate until the middle
W L
department will consider his term to
have expired on December 16. or to
date from the time OF confirmation, re-
mains TO be seen. Mr.. Allan is pre-
pared to lay down tho reins Of office
upon instant notice.
Mr.. Thornton Is p native OF Norfolk
and is son of the late D. j. McC
Thornton. His father was for years a
purser in the United States Navy His
mother was Miss Dade. daughter of the
late General Lawrence r. Dade, o,
Orange County. Va. who for man,
years prior to the War Between the
states was one of the leading figures
in the politics OF Virginia.
Mr.. Thornton has spent all Of his
life In Richmond, with the exception
OF year or two in Florida and Chi
cago. He has an extensive acQuaint-
ance. For many years he was treas
urer of Dove Lodge, No. 81, A. +. &:
a. NJ and lie is one of the few men
in the State who have been honored
with the thirtythird degree OF Mason
ry Mr. Thornton married n daughter
Of the late Colonel John Bell Bigger
for many years clerk OF the House OF
Delegates.
In Service Twenty Years.
Nearly twenty years ago, when sub
station post offices were established in
Richmond, Mr.. Thornton was placed
in charge of Station y. and since that
time he has remained in charge of the
Office. Each succeeding administra-
ton has refused to disturb him-a
tribute to the manner in which he has
conducted the business of his office
He has been lifelong Democrat At
tention to the business in which he
was engaged has won for him many
concentrations from inspectors and
high officials of the Post Office Depart
ment. Soon after President Wilson was
inaugurated there was 4 movement to
get Endorsements for Mr.. Thornton. He
said he wanted the position OF post
master, and that he would appreciat te
the support of his friends, and they
rallied TO him. y meeting was called
at the Jefferson Hotel. and steps were
planned for successful campaign in
his interest