The Mailroom Kerfuffle in New Tacoma

We have already mentioned the contest in New Tacoma over the local post office, but have heretofore made no reference to the matter to be found in the following: A fortnight since an envelope from the First Assistant Postmaster General was noticed by the route agent on the Northern Pacific road, addressed to Charles Evans, and supposed by the agent to contain the commission of said Evans as postmaster of New Tacoma. The agent called the attention of a bystander to the envelope, remarking that that was Evans's commission. An hour or two after reaching New Tacoma, the agent, Grover B. Simpson, met Evans, congratulated him, etc. Evans at once declared he had not received the document Simpson referred to, but on the strength of Simpson's strong assertions he went to the office and made a formal demand for it. It was not given to him, and we have heard he was told there was nothing of the sort in the office for him. Simpson made oath to the truth of his assertion, and complaint was made to the Postal Agent, as well as other proceedings taken; considerable excitement and bitter feelings being engendered in the meantime, in which the whole community more or less participated. The incumbent, W. H. Fife, kept silent until a few days ago, when he prepared and published a card, which gives an explanation not at all anticipated: 'For the past eight days I have been subjected to the unfounded and unjust accusation, given currency on the sidewalk, of withholding a letter addressed to one of the citizens of New Tacoma. The fact was that a package addressed by the Postoffice Department to Mr. Charles Evans passed through the mails and was received by me; and this fact leaked out unofficially and unlawfully. But previous to the receipt at this office of the above package, I had in hand for a period of eleven days the following telegraphic order from the Department: 'Return commission for Charles Evans to this Department as soon as received by you.' I obeyed the order of the Department and I pursued my duty as I understood it in keeping that order secret, and I now publish it only because justice to myself, which at the present time is with me a higher law than a regulation of the Department, demands that I be exonerated.'