The Mugwump’s Reward: Olympia’s Postmaster Scandal

OLYMPIA, May 21—The appointment of W. A. Newell, of this city, as pension agent for this district, has been the subject of much discussion for the past two days. The Press-Intelligencer conversed with persons of all shades of political opinion, but was unable to find but one instance where the appointment was favorably received. The people seem almost unanimous in their disapproval of the appointment, and many have declared that they will do all they can to have the business of this district transferred by the examiner located at Seattle.

The Republicans are particularly indignant, as they consider it a reward for his course in helping to defeat their candidate for delegate in the last election; besides, ever since the Republican members of the last legislative council voted against Newell's nomination as trustee of the Insane asylum he has openly declared that he will be the rancor of the Republican candidate for delegate tomorrow. Notwithstanding these facts, he strenuously resents being called a mugwump and insists that he is a Republican.

A prominent Republican of this city said he had no doubt that in addition to other considerations which Newell received for his self-interest in the last campaign, he was also promised an office in this Territory by Voorhees, in case he would be elected delegate and Gore appointed governor, the scheme was concocted between them of appointing Newell as the Republican member of the board of trustees of the asylum—the law providing that not more than two should be of the same political faith—thus partially hiding the fact of Newell's purchase and at the same time relieving Voorhees from embarrassment in urging the appointment of a purchased mugwump to an office.

The council by a vote of 10 to 5 having refused to confirm this appointment, the only alternative was to secure their ally the appointment with which he is now favored.