The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-22

ing, Judge Rhea sees no reason why
the overwhelmincly Democratic city of
Bristol. Va, should receive worse
treatment at the hands OF Demo
cratic administration than 1t had at the
hands of Mr. Taft. Unless rescinded.
son abolishmg the Office of Bristol.
Va. takes effect July 81. and mail af-
ter that date must 20 10 the Office ut
Bristol. Tenn, a Republican city in n
Republican district.
Judge Rhca states CnSc.
Judge Rhca gives the following
statement OF the ease as he has laid
it before the Post-Onicc Department:
The cities OF Bristol. Va, and
ton of about 1000. The population
of each city is about the same. The
main street OF the two cities is the
dividing line. which street is known
as State street. the state line running
down the centre Of same. While it is
practically one city. they are separate
and distinct in their government and
management rs If they were n thous-
and miles apart
"All the hotels, two large female col
loges and the railroad passenger sta
lions are on the Virginia side. Each
city has its separate Mayor. Council,
courthouscs and all city officers.
Before the Civil War. when Bristol
Va, and Bristol Tenn. We're nothing
but mere village upon tho state line.
there was one post office for the two
cities which was located on the Nir-
Ginia side. and known ms SaplinE Grove.
After the assassination of President
Lincoln. when Andrew Johnson. a Ten
ncssecan. became President of the
United States. he appointed friend OF
his who lived in Bristol. Tenn, as post
master for the Virginia office. and the
story is that the Nirsinians woke UP
enc morning to find that their post
ciIice had disappeared between two
suns to the Tennessee side. and it has
lcen there ever since until a change
came about last February.
More Thun Half the Patronage
virginia for more than fifty years
save half. If not more than half OF
the PATRONAGE to this Tennessee Office.
and although she has made frequent
applications to have postmaster APP
pointed from tho Virginia side. the
icnncssccaus have always antaponizcd
this, and tho Tennessee Senators have
threatened 10 defeat the confirmation
Of any NirEinian appointed to the Of
fee.
Let It be understood that bristol,
Va. is an overwhelmingly Democratic
city. and situated in a congressional
district which is doubtful, to say the
least, and that Bristol. Tenn. is situ-
htcd in a congressional district with
about $4,000 Republican majority
some two or three years ago Con-
,rcssman Slcmp, Republican. represent
ing the Ninth Congressional District.
convinced Mr. Taft that Bristol Va
had been, treated unjustly in ally these
Years. and induced him to nominate
Gaylord Goodcll a Bristol. Va, Rcpub-
lican. 10 be postmaster to the Bristol
Tenn Office. and thcrcupon howl
went up from the Tennessee side. and
The two Democratic Senator'S from Ten
ncsscc declared their purpose To defeat
Mr.. Goodolis nomination Thcreupon
President Taft sent for Mir Slenp ana
told him that he thought il hest to
withdraw Mr.. Goodclrs nomination. but
that he would promise him (Slcmp) TO
establish q post office in Bristol Va
and notwith standing the fact chat Post
mastcr-Gencral Hitchcock and his FIRST
assistant postmaster usually sided with
the Tennessee Republicans and antag-
onizcd tho efforts OF MIR. Slcmp to cs-
tablish u post-oilice for bristol Va
vet. under the positive instructions Of
President Taft. the office was cstab-
lishcd and was opened last February.
iiamprrcd in Every Why.
The rost-Oficc Departments al
though compelled to open the onice
under tho instructions Of the President.
hammered its opening III every way
They required tho newly appointed
postmaster, Mr.. Gauthicr. to take the
money out OF his own pocket and buy
the equipment for the Office which he
did AT an expense Of $1,000 Mr. H. f.
Jones owner of the building in which
the new Office was TO be opened. spent
between $4,000 and $4,000 In putting
this building in q condition fit for a
post office. and the new postmaster
through instructions from the Post