The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-30
Judge Rhea, With U. S.
Senators, Wins Hard
Contest.
ORDER SUSPENDED
FOR SIXTY DAY VS.
Post Office Inspectors to Make
Investigation of Local Condi-
tions-If State Lines Are Ig-
nored in Consolidation,
They Will Be Ignored
in Patronage Also.

Virginia has won its fight In the
Bristol post office controversy. tho deh-
mite assurance being given by Presi-
dent Wilson yesterday 10 Judge VII
liam z. Rhea, of the State Corporation
commission. and to United States
! Senator'S Martin and Swanson thai In
the event State lines are ignored and
the Bristol offices In Virginia and Ten
nessee consolidated on the Tennessee
side Of the line, State line. Will also
be ignored in the appointment, and
the poFtmaster will be named from th,.
Virginia side.
Judge Rhea returned from Washing
ton last night greatly elated over the
success OF the vigorous Campaign ne
has wased in defense Of his home CITY
AS result Of the negotiations and
protests which have been made. the
Post-o ONCE Department issued an order
yesterday withholding for sixty DAYS
the operation of the former order
abolishing the Virginia Office. which
was TO have taken effect July 81 Post
master General Rurlcson has promised
within the siXty-day period 10 send
post-ofiicc inspectors to Bristol 10 make
a thorough vestipation OF the situ-
alton Judge Rhca stated last night
that such an investigation could only
show tne advantage OF maintaining the
Office. il is paving the government
a profit ot $4,000 year. and as il
does not appear that any economy
would BE- effected by the proposed con-
solidation
VirGInin Gets the Patronage.
Senator'S Martin and Swanson have
aided Judge Rhea IN the fight, and
were definitely assured Yesterday that
should IL be finally determined. after
abolish the Virginia Office and have
all Bristol mail handled on the
Tennessee side OF the State line.
that state lines would also be
ignored In tho selection OF the post
master. and that man from Bristol.
Va. would receive the appointment.
This recognition OF Virginia's claim
Judge Rhea said, would cTcctually set
tie the matter. as the Tennessee Scna-
tors who have fought hard for their
side OF the line would have no interest
in securing big Office for Bristol.
Tenn. If all the patronage is to 20 to
Virginia Bristol. Tenn. is in an over
whelmingly Republican district. Bris-
toll Va, Is Democratic. though locat ed
in doubtful district, now represented
by Republican Congressman, but
whom the Democrats have strong hopes
OF ousting in the next congressional
election. In view OF this condition. ii
seemed particularly unfortunate 70
Judge Rhea and other Democratic po-
litical leaders of the Ninth District that
the separate office granted to Bristol
Va by n Republican President. over
the protest OF his Postma stcr General
should be taken away by Democratic
administration.
AS the situation stands. therefore,
Bristol will have its separate post
Office for the next sixty days, and
hopes to be able TO convince the de-
partment that ii is wise TO maintain
II as n present. Should the offices be
consolidated. while the Republican or
Tennessee side may get the office itself
the Virginia or Democratic side gets
the appointment and the patronage