STEPHEN B. ELKINS
Senator writes to his fellow Congressman over Postal job of constituent.
Typed Letter Signed: "S.B. Elkins" as U.S. Senator, 2p, 8x10½, separate sheets. Elkins, W.Va., 1908 June 26. Noted in type on first page: "(Personal and Confidential)". To Congressman William P. Hubbard, Wheeling, W.Va. In part: "Before I left Washington Mr. Denham called and told me he had been removed and some one appointed in his place; that he had no hearing, not even notice of charges of any kind being made against him, and asked me to introduce him to the Postmaster General; that he only knew from the papers that he had been removed for pernicious activity in politics...We then went into the office of the 2nd Assistant Postmaster whom Denham knew very well. He said there were no written charges against Denham but that you had made a personal complaint to the Postmaster General which secured his removal. I told the Second Assistant...that I recognized the appointment of postmasters rested with the Congressmen and I could not take part in the matter...." Elkins (1841-1911) moved to the Territory of New Mexico in 1864 and began practicing law. He served as a Republican Delegate to Congress from New Mexico from 1873-1877. The Postmaster General was George von Lengerke Meyer. Elkins served under President Benjamin Harrison as Secretary of War (1891-1893) and was U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 1895 until his death in 1911. WILLIAM P. HUBBARD was Republican Congressman from West Virginia from 1907-1911. Lightly creased and soiled. Folds, vertical fold touches the "E" in Elkins.