The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-06-12
METCAlF WILL Be
CONFIRMED At ONCE
AS MEMPH|SP. N,
SENATOR LEA ACTS AT REQUEST
OF PRESIDENT IN WITHDRAW.
ING HIS OPPOSITION.
FOR SAKE OF PARTY HARMONY
Stand Had Been Part Of Agreement
With Senator ShieIda-interchsna
Of Letters Gives Full Correspond
ence With Reference 10 Matter.

WASHINGTON, d. G.. June TO-
Senator Lea has announced his with
drawal of opposition to Mr.. Metcalf
las postmaster at Memphis by making
public o letter to him from the Pres
ident, and his reply thereto.
The Presidents letter to Senator
Lea Is as follows:
1.-THE White House, Washington,
June 8, 1914. My Dear Senator: We
haze several times discussed the Diff
|ficult matter Of choice Of postmas-
tier at Memphis. Whenever my
thoughts come to the matter, l come
ito the same conclusion, namely, that
the appointment of Mr.. Metcalf should
be contaminated.
9. am happy to feel that know
you we'll enough and your motives
and purposes in public life to appeal
to oyu very frankly and with great
deal of confidence to withdraw your
opposition to the confirmation of Mr.
Metcalf in the interest OF party har-
mony and accommodation, and I know
that you will understand the motives
with which do this. am happy to
be able to approach the matter with
you so frankly.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
(Signed) Woodrow Wilson"
ITO Hon. Luke Lea, United States
Senator"
Senator Lea addressed the follow
ing reply 10 the President:
Washington, June 9, 1914 Dear
Mr.. President: 1t is impossible for
me to do otherwise than accede to
the wishes expressed in your frank
and cordial letter of the Sth.
when you, the leader of the par
ty, request my acquiescence in the
confirmation of Mr. Metcalf as post
master at Memphis in the interest Of
party harmony and accommodation,
there can be but one answer on my
part.
Especially is this true when the
OPPOSITION on my part to the confirma.
ton Of Mr. Metcalf grew cut Of an
agreement with Senator Shields to
support his choice for postmaster at
! Memphis as part of the solution of
the difficulties involving the federal
appointments in Tennessee, and was
therefore, in what I had every reason
to believe to be in the interest of
party harmony.
Having give nmy support to Mr..
Looney, who was then Senator
Shields choice, felt it incumbent
upon me, and it was likewise my
pleasure, to continue that support, ir-
respective Of any action by any of
his other supporters SO long as Mr..
Looney felt there was possibility Of
his appointment Recently Mr.. LOO
ney advised me that he no longer con-
siders his appointment possible.
Therefore, feeling free to act, it only
remains for me to waive my personal
objections to Mr.. Metcal's nomina,
ton, growing out Of no feeling toward
him, for / have none, but due to the
methods employed by some of his too
jealous supporters in the unsuccess-
full effort to secure his confirmation
over my opposition.
eff you believe the withdrawal of
these personal objections will con-
tribute to party harmony, it will be
pleasure to acquiesce In the ccnfrma-
ton, for my controlling impulse is to
bring to an end all personal or politi-
cal animosities, which cause a contin.
uance Of party division in Tennessee,
and to do all in my power to restore
party harmony and unity, which |
means party triumph
"Very cordially yours,
((Signed) LUKE LEA.
ITO Hon. Woodrow Wilson, the |
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