Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1925-12-17
POST OFFICE
POINT ENT AT
MACON UNDER FIRE
OFFICE ALLEGED SOLD BY POL
ITICIANS; FOX D. STEPHENS,
APPOINTEE, SILENT ON GIFT
RUMORS; BLACKSMITH ISSUE


John Bailey, postmaster, declared
yesterday that he had failed of rec
concentrations and confirmation in
his position to which Fox D. ISte-
phens was nominated this week by
President Coolidge, because he had
refused to buy the office from Re-
publican politicians.
Mr.. Bailey, who was appointed
through the influence of white Re-
publicans declared last night that he
had been approached by negro poll
ticians wanting money.
81 refused to buy the Macon post
office from negroes" he asserted.
In accordance with advance infor-
nation obtained and published ex-
clusively by The Telegraph on Aug
ust 16 and 81 of this year Mr.. Ste
phens was nominated Monday by
President Coolidge to succeed Mr..
Bailey, also a Republican, and is now
awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Sand now comes this political stu
ation," said Mr.. Bailey, "where l,
appointed upon the recommendation
of white organization in Georgia,
am to be turned out upon the recon-
mendation of an organization of ne
groes, because | refused to donate
to them"
Stephens Has Little to Say
Fox Stephens said that he had OBJ
tanned his only information on his
nomination from the press.
"Of course received the endorse
ment of Republican leaders of this
district" said Mr.. Stephens.
But that was as far as he would
go. He would not admit that he had
contributed to the Republican cam
paign fund.
Gas / understand it," continued
Mr.. Stephens, "Mr. Bailey's appoint
roent wasin recess, made by the Presi-
/ dent while Congress was notin ses-
sion and there was only an acting
postmaster. It's an entirely differ
+ emit situation"
4 Mr.. Stephens said he believed that
his appointment would be confirmed
by the Senate, but until he hears
| something from Washington he said
he had no information.
Senators May Back Bailey
Friends of June Bailey, however,
express the belief that Mr.. Stephens
appointment will not be confirmed by
the Senate. They believe that Sena-
tor Walter F. George and Senator
w. ]. Harris will stand behind June
Bailey and insist that he be retained.
/ The office pays $4,000 year, but
since July Mr.. Bailey has built up
the business until it will be worth
$4,000 for the coming year.
! 81 was appointed by the Phillips
regime, white organization" said
Mr.. Bailey. "Within the last few
months negroes have approached me
and made certain demands which !
refused. I wasn't approached here in
the Federal Building. however. 1t
was elsewhere"
Although Mr.. Bailey did not say
so, it is known that he was called
to Atlanta at one time in connection
with the postmastership. At that time
he refused to deal with the leaders
of Republican affairs in Georgia, it
is known, and said that if he has to
make contribution to- the Republic
can party he would make it direct to
the national committee.
Warned, Postmaster Says
"a friend of mine informed me
the minute the deal was pulled to rec
ommend Fox Stephens, SAID Mr.
Bailey. "This friend told me to get
busy"
The Telegraph several weeks ago
showed how the negro Republican
leaders of this section had obtained
money from postmasters in some Of
fees in this section of Georgia, and
had attempted to obtain money from
. others.
They demanded 500 from Miss
Mary Clements, acting postmaster at
Lizella, and obtained 500 from the
Roberta postoffice and part of $3.50
from the Fayetteville office, part of
the latter being paid through a Ma
con man to T. X. Persley, 215 Madi-
SON Street, negro Republican leader
in the Sixth District of Georgia
| Macon TELEGRAPH.