The Indianapolis Journal

A HOWL FROM KAINTUCKY.

A Fierce and Fiery Denunciation of Mrs. Thompson's Appointment as Postmaster.

LOUISVILLE, April 17.—Over five thousand indignant representative citizens held a mass meeting to-night and denounced the reappointment of Mrs. Virginia C. Thompson as postmaster of Louisville, and condemned the action of Congressman Willis in forcing on Louisville a Republican postmaster. As many more could not get in the building, and packed the streets on the outside. The meeting was presided over by Mayor Reed, and was fiery and exciting.

Speeches, all condemnatory in the strongest language, were made by Messrs. Lyttleton, Cooke, Frank Hagan, George Weil, and others. Thomas Sherly attempted a defense of Willis, but he left the house at the unanimous request of all present. The following resolutions were adopted without a dissenting voice:

Whereas, By the appointment of a Republican postmaster for Louisville, against the almost unanimous opposition of the Democrats of the district, to the exclusion of a number of capable and true Democrats who sought the position, a damaging blow has been given to the party in the Fifth Congressional district and in the State of Kentucky; therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Democracy of the Fifth Congressional district, in mass-meeting assembled, that Representative Albert S. Willis, by his official conduct in actively opposing the claims of Democrats to position under a Democratic administration, has forfeited his right to be regarded as the true representative of those whose suffrages have so often honored him with official position.

Resolved, That his action in disregarding the just claims of capable, honest and true Democrats to appointment to the postoffice, and his championship of a Republican for this office deserves and now receives the severest censure of the party in this mass-meeting assembled.

Resolved, That his course in the entire contest for the postoffice has been dictatorial, devoid of deference to the wishes of those who gave him a seat in Congress, and to the expressed will of the President, and based upon purely personal and selfish grounds, without a single feature connected therewith to merit the approval of the Democratic party, or of any person who desires that this important office shall be administered in accordance with business principles, and in keeping with the spirit of an advanced age.

Resolved, That we denounce in the most unmeasured terms his conduct in this contest, in which he has overridden the desires of his friends, ignored the demands of his party and given aid and comfort to the enemies of Democratic government. And we do hereby declare that we will, when next called to the polls, emphasize this declaration of a just indignation by casting our ballots for a man who is true to the principles he professes.

Resolved, That we regret that the President of the United States felt called on to yield his own convictions to the demands of a Congressman who misrepresents his constituents and puts personal considerations above his duty to his party. Having the right to expect better things from that high source, we express an earnest hope that the President may reconsider the unfortunate step he has been persuaded to take, and yet give to Louisville what she deserves—a Democrat true and tried, for postmaster.

Resolved, That to United States Senator Joseph C. S. Blackburn we send a warm Kentucky Democratic greeting, thanking him for his earnest efforts in our behalf, when our Representative turned against us. His manly efforts will not be forgotten by the true-hearted Democracy of the Fifth Congressional District who never forget a friend or cease to hold in detestation a secret enemy.

Resolved, That the secretary of this convention is instructed to send an engrossed copy of these resolutions to the President, to Senator Blackburn, and to Congressman Willis.

The Woman Who Causes the Fuss.

Louisville Commercial.

Mrs. Virginia Campbell Thompson is the daughter of Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Christian Church, and was born at Bethany, W. Va. She is the widow of William R. Thompson, member of the Louisville bar, who died about ten years ago. She has always been of the Democratic faith. She first applied for the postoffice in 1877. Her petitions were addressed to Samuel J. Tilden during the period when it was thought that Tilden would be President.

When it was given to Hayes the petitions were addressed to him, ample opportunity being given to those who desired to withdraw their indorsements to do so. These indorsements were pronounced at Washington to be the best ever forwarded by an applicant for office. Aided by these and a request in person by Judge Jere Black, the lion of the Democratic party at that time, Mrs. Thompson secured the position. At the expiration of her first term she was reappointed by President Garfield. The wound that was the cause of his death, delayed her confirmation by the Senate until Mr. Arthur took the presidential chair.

Then she had to make her fight over, but succeeded after a long struggle, and was appointed for four more years, having gained in the interval between her appointment by President Garfield and President Arthur, nearly, if not quite a year's more service, thus making nine years the time she has held the postoffice. She has given her entire personal attention to the management of her office, often when she was really unable to leave her house. She is a lady of great ability and industry, and her third reappointment this time is especially grateful to her friends in view of the strong fight made against her.

This is the way in which Mrs. Thompson happened to apply for the office. Mrs. Hornsby, daughter of Judge Black, and Mrs. Julia Johnston, a neighbor, were visiting her. Mrs. Thompson remarked that she was obliged to find something to do in order to support herself and four children, as there was little or nothing left her after her husband's death.

"Why not be postmaster?" suggested Mrs. Johnston.

"Yes, and we'll help you get it," added Mrs. Hornsby.

Mrs. Thompson acted on the suggestion, and her friends and those of her deceased husband drew up a petition, nearly everyone voluntarily signing it.