Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1916-01-17
POSTMASTERSH|P
FOR S|NNOTT AS
WILSON CHOICE
Selection of Successor to Book
Is Announced by the
President.
ARMlTAGE is INCLINED
TO DOUBT THE REPORT
Wilson League Head Refuses to
Believe That He Has Been
Turned Down.

announcement was made today at
Washington that President Wilson
has decided To appoint John +. Sin
mott, Sf., as postmaster here To sue
ceed Frank J. Book. Republican,
whose ternf=exp pires this month. The
appointment of Mr.. Sinnott WAS not
unexpected. He is president of the
Passaic Valley Trunk Sewer Commits
sion and is a former alderman from
the Seventh ward. He has been ac-
tive in local Democratic politics for
a number of years, chiefly as an op-
ponent of the city organization.
The naming of Mr.. Sinnott comes
after a contest in which John l.. Ar
mitage, president of the Wilson
League ever since its foundation and
its chief financial backer, was a can
didate for more than two years. Mr..
Armitage was an open candidate. and
it was understood for n long time
that he WAS practically unopposed
for the office. There We're n number
of other candidates, but none ever
received any serious consideration.
The salary of the Newark postmaster
is sc 600.
In some Democratic political quar-
ters today the news of the intention
of President Wilson to appoint Mr..
ment. Some of those who were asked
about the appointment did not appear
to believe the selection would make
much difference in the ranks of the
party. Others We're more skeptlcaL
while still others lauded the selection.
1t was felt that the Armitage ad-
herents would be greatly disappointed
at the nomination. He has been the
front and financial standby of the
Wilson League for years. and his sup
porters were sure their man could
not lose. They inclined to believe that
the appointment of Mr.. Sinnott was
made through personal friendship.
Mr. Armitage Doubtful.
Mr.. Armitage was located ut the
headquarters of the Wilson League
today. He was asked if he had any
comment to make. and he responded
by asking how official was the re-
port.
The dispatch was then read over
the telephone to him. He remarked
that it did not say that the appoint
ment had actually been made. He
pointed to the clause in which i Va.
stated that the nomination would bC
forwarded to the Senate within the
next few days and said: anyone
could send 4 message like that" The
interview terminated here. It was
evident that Mr.. Armitage was not
pleased with the situation.
Mr.. Armitage practically staked
his continuance in politics upon the
postmastership. Several delegations
went to Washington in his interests,
and letter writing campaign was
invoked to help him
Mr.. Armitage's candidacy provoked
much opposition in circles indepen-
dent of the Woodrow Wilson Demo-
cratic League and at the same time
independent of the organization. The
league was accused Of being more OF
an office securing vehicle than q real
political force. Mr.. Armitage's rec
ord as legislator, twenty-iiv
years ago and more, was also assailed
bitterly.
Mr.. Sinnott is n member of the
league He joined it about year
ago. He had backing within it. but
the fact remains that the league has
been regarded as Mr.. Armitage's per
sonal organization, and while profess
sing neutrality as between he and
Mr. Sinnott. the active members were
mostly lined up for Mr.. Armitage.
The announcement Of the choice OF
Mr.. Sinnott for postmaster said that
the nomination will be sent to the
Senate for confirmation within few
days. This will be made as soon as
received, it is expected. Mr.. Sinnott
will then be sworn in.
Mr.. Sinnott was seen at his real
estate office in the Byrne building at
7I6 Broad street today. He was told
of the receipt by the Evening Star
of the dispatch from Washington.
Mr.. Sinnott declined to make any
statement. He said he was, Of
course, much pleased to hear the
news, but thought he could not
offer statement until he received
the news officially.
It is expected Mr.. Sinnott will con-
tinue as head of the Passaic Valley
Trunk Sewer Commission. Members
80 +he commission receive a salary OF
s2,5Oo
Mr. Sinnott was born in New York,
August 9, 1850, and at an early age
he came to this city with his parents
where he has since resided. He is an
old-time resident of the Seventh ward
and highly regarded there.
After graduating from st. Patrick S
School for Boys he entered the meat
provision business which he conducted
at 115-117 Summit street for thirty
years and in which he was very sue
cessful.
He served in the Newark Common
Council as alderman from the Seventh
ward rom 1899 until 1911. In 1907 he
was president OF the council and dur
ing his service in that body he served
N practically every important COM
mittee. He made a brilliant leader.
During the historic Haussling-Wald
ron fight for the mayoralty nomina-
tion in 1903 he backed Haussling, wac