Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1907 — G.E. MURRAY GETS POSTOFFICE [ARTICLE]

G.E. MURRAY GETS POSTOFFICE

Will Succeed Postmaster Myers, and Everybody’s Happy—Except the Defeated Candidates.' The long strain that a half-dozen republioan patriots here have been enduring for several months over which one of them would get the postoffice plum at Rensselaer is at an end. Geo. E. Murray got word from Washington Sunday that he was the lucky man, and the other candidates have gone way back anU>sat down, to suck the lemon Congressman Crumpacker handed each of them with as good grace as possible under the circumstances. Many people were surprised when it became known that Mr. Murray was a candidate for the place, wondering “what he could want with it?” He certainly has about enough to look after now as

head of the G. E. Murray Co. department store, and at first glance it would appear that he would not care to be bothered with a postoffice. However, he may have had a motive outside of the salary connected with the office, and that is the possibility that it might be moved to the next block east if someone else got it. This would be a great calamity to his business as well as that of others in that part of town, and cause a depreciation of value of business property there. Here is no doubt the meat in the cocoanut, for from no other standpoint can'one figure out why be would want the office at all. Mr. Murray knows the needs of the public and ought to prove a good man to be at the head of the office, for if he should not give his own personal attention to it, he will undoubtedly have plenty of competent help there, and, outside those who desired the place for themselves, it is service we all want.

The office pays at. present a straight salary of $1,800; allows 1400 for deputy hire; $275 for rent; also fuel and lights, about S6O more. The other active candidates for the office were G. E. Marshall, editor of the Republican, ex-County Recorder R. B. Porter, County Superintendent Hamilton, Judson Perkins, and several other minor and receptive candidates. Mr. Murray will probably not take charge until the end of the present quarter, March 31. Mr. Meyer’s commission expires March 4, but it is not likely the change in postmasters will be made until April 1, at which time he took the office. Frank states that he intends to engage in the drug business again, but is undecided on a location at present.