Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-12-10
POSTOFHCE FIGHT
DISGUSTS LEADERS
Widespread Comment Over Mud
died Condition.
SEE LEES HAND In 1T.
Belief That New Senator Plans Grip
on Federal Patronage Grows
Stronger.
Sironeer.

The difficulty in filling the Annap-
oils postmaster ship is interesting
Democrats throughout the State. rhe
term OF the present postmaster, Dan
iel X. Randall, Republican, expired
last January, and as a Democratic
President had been elect I'd before
! that, the place has since been an OBJ
ject Of strong desire on the part of
local Democrats.
Dr. George Wells, the recognized
leader of the Anne Arundel Democ-
rscy, who was one of the few county
leaders to support Woodrow Wilson
in the primaries, indorsed State SEN
ator Bells for the place. This was
months ago. Mr.. Bells felt 50 sure
Of the effect of the Wells indorse-
ment when il was backed up with
that of Congressman Frank o Smith,
that in the middle Of the summer he
resigned the State Senators1ip so
that the place might be filled at the
regular election.
The place was so filled, and a Dem
ocrat was elected. But when the ap-
pointment of MIR. Bells was about to
be sent iu delegation of women
went TO see Postmaster-GenerAl Bur-
Lesson and objected. Their objection
prevailed, and then DR.. Wells. and
Congressman Smith Endorsed John r.
Sullivan, Democratic secretary of
the last Senate. Mr.. Burlesson quick
Iy turned Mr.. Sullivan down, though
ii is not recorded that there was any
protest against him.
Next DR.. Wells indorsed Thomas j.
Linthicum. Then Mr.. Burleson sent
a Postofice inspector to Annapolis
TO see whether the appointment of
MIR. Linthicum would be satisfactory
to the patrons of the office. Monday
Mr.. Linthicum went to Washington
to see the Postmaster General and
state his side of the case
In connection with the muddled sit
uation the belief is growing stronger
that the appointment will not be
made until Senator-eltct Lee takes
office.
The rumor will not down, despite
repeated denials from Washington,
that Senator Lee expects to be the
chief distributor of federal patron
age in Maryland In fact, he has es-
sayed to play this role since the elec-
tion of MIR. Wilson as President.
He went so far as to interfere in the
rec Dmmendation for candidates for
postmasters in Western Maryland.
This activity brought down on his
head the wrath of Congressman Lewis
AMI he had TO halter his zeal.
Through Congressman Frank O.
Smith, however, ne has had super
vising eye on the recommendation of
candidates for postoffices in Southern
Maryland. The friends of former
Senator Bells blam. Mr.. Lee more
than Congressman Smith for his fail
ureto land the local postoffice il is said
Supporters of John r. Sullivan and
Thomas j. Linthicum, who were rec
commended for the position after Mr..
Bells failed TO secure il were not KIDD
ly disposed toward Mr.. Lees aspira-
tions for the Democratic nomination
for governor two years ago.
AS a result of il all, Dr. Wells and
his friends are plainly disgusted, and
it is 1cw said that DR.. Wells has
told some of his friends he will make
no further recommendations if Linth-
icum tails to land. In other words he
is ''done" with it.