Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1889 — IS A FRIEND OF LIGE. [ARTICLE]

IS A FRIEND OF LIGE.

Postmaster Spalding, of Champaign, 111., Get* a dob Recau.se He la Halford’s Brother-In-Law. During the last campaign, Mr. Harrison, at that time a respectable citizen of Indiana, speaking of the distribution of Federal patronage, said: “Fitness and not party service should be the discriminating test.” That was nearly a year ago. Since then his ideas have undergone a radical change, as is illustrated by a great many appointments he has made. Here is a case in point: In January, 1883, President Arthur reappointed Air. McAllister postmaster at Champaign, 111. He was a leading man and active partisan, but an honest man. In 1885 and 1886 the Democrats tried to get him turned out and a Democrat appointed in his place, but Mr. Cleveland refused to turn him out, as the Democrats could allege nothing against his character or administration of the office, and so he remained until January, 1888, when his term expired. Mr. Cleveland then appointed a man named Fielding, who was one of the proprietors of a Democratic newspaper at Champaign. He retired from the management of the paper absolutely, but retained his interest in it, and devoted his entire time to the postoffice, improved its methods, and made in all respects a satisfactory official. He is young, energetic, exact, and systematic, an excellent business man, and of high character. A day or two ago Mr. Harrison turned him out and appointed a man named Spalding. Mr. Spalding is an honest map and a good citizen. His occupation is that of a blacksmith. He is a slowgoing, easy sort of man. Spalding’s fitness” appears to have consisted in his relationship to the administration. He is a brother-in-law of Mr. Halford. It is not unfair to state that but for the latter fact he would not have been thought of in connection with the place, not even by himself. —Washington special.