The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-10
PEOPLES FORUM
Poatnsastcr's Primary.

| Editor Virginian
Sir,--I note from recent press sto-
rtes that a certain Alabama Congress
man had brought about an election
I'm his district 70 determine the choice
Of the patrons OF d certain postofflce
/ OF two or more applicants for post-
master. and claiming such referen-
| dunn 10 be the AEst within the his
tory Of the national government.
i The claim doubtless was made un-
advisedly. "a the records OF the post
office department will show that in
the fall OF 1873. Hon. Lewis McKen-
gle, then Representative in Congress
from the Eighth Congressional Dis
( tricts ordered an election to deter
mine the choice OF the patrons OF
the Manassas postofIlce Of two appli-
cants for postmaster, namely. Mrs,
Andrew J. Pine ana Jacob Depue.
resulting In the election, by a large
j majority Of Mrs. Pine. who served
with marked acceptabilty for at least
two forms.
/ dare say that this Manassas cleo
ton for postmaster was the first,
within the history of Virginia, where
women were included in the cleo
torate. as all patrons of the ofrioa,
without regard to sex, color or pre-
vious conditions Of servitude," were,
under the conditions prescribed in the
election order. allowed to vote.
| This election was ordered soon at-
tor the resignation OF the then In
cumbeat, Hon. Gao. G. Round, was
rendered Mr.. Round. in order to
discipline Democratic postmaster
/ who was dspxaty under and had suo-
ceeded Col. II. w Cunningham, the
/ first postmaster Of Manas sas after the
war among the States. yielded to the
pressure OF his party and consented
| TO become an applicant for tho oflos
and hfs appointment as postmaster
soon followed
I In connection with this incident.
! devotion 10 the Democratic party. In
the face OF adverse conditions. was
made manifest to AN unusual degree
| by tho Democrat incumbent who had
received his appointment through the
unqualified Endorsement OF Col. Cum
ntngham and Just prior to the pren-
Dental election OF 1879,
! Having made a courteous and eff
cient deputy postmaster. he had be-
come a popular offioiat with both
[ political parties and. though there
were murmurings from the County
Republican Committee against q
| Democrat postmaster under a Repub-
! lican administration, he was looked
upon with favor by the representa-
tive in Congress and allowed to hold
his position until the advent OF the
presidential election OF 1879
| The County Republican Committees
determined TO force the issue OF poll
tics in the Manassas postoffice, sent
IA delegation TO the postmaster de-
-nanding that no go TO the polls and
! vote the Republican ticket or resign.
| Having taken upon himself a wife.
and by the ala Of the meagre salary
. Of the postoTlce and small stock
/ OF groceries. the postof1ce incumbent
was eking out scanty living when
tho committees demand was ruth
lessly thrust upon him.
Gentlemen" said the devoted
Democrat 1T was known to your
representative In Congress, when he
recomm ended my appointment that
WINS Democrat. / have endeav-
ored 70 discharge the duties of this
office faithfully and efficiently. and
II you win submit the question OF
my remaining in this ONCE to the
patrons thereof I will abide their de-
cision II II should mean my resigna-
ton. but 1t shall never be said that
/ deserted my party or 6id violence