Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-10
COLONEL UILLIAM +. Villas.
The Home Estimate of the New Postmaster
General.

The Home Estimate Of the New Postmaster
General.
Madison (wis.) state Journal, Rep.l
Madison and Wisconsin are honored
in the selection Of our distinguished fell
low-citizen, Colonel William F. Villas,
as POstmaster-General. That gentle
man is known to nearly every
inhabitamt Of the capital city; he
at the present time represents
that city in the Assembly. He came
TO Madison when he was eleven years
Of age was educated in its schools;
graduated at the State University
commenced the practice Of law at its
bar. and has continued TO occupy
prominent position in the legal profess
sion TO the present time his practice
has been extensive and successful, both
in giving him high reputation as man
Of superior ability and as giving him
wealth. He is industrious and hard
student. lie has made himself
great lawyer. both as counsellor
and as an advocate. His reputation as
public speaker is eXcellcd by no man in
the State. This has been recognized
fact at home for many years. and ne
established national reputation as a
finished orator in 1879 in Chicago in
responding to a sentiment i'll honor OF
General Grant at banquet in that
city. During the last year his reputa-
ton as a politician and speaker be-
came largely extended throughout the
nation from having been the president
of the Democratic National Convention
ut Chicago and from his having de-
liNercd many political speeches in diff
ferent parts of the country.
As citizen. Colonel Villas * highly
esteemed by persons without regard to
political affiliations; he is active and
liberal in the various public enterprises
for the impro' emcnt Of the city. The
university from which he graduated
with honor has ever found in him
staunch friend. When it needed de-
fender Colonel Villas has been always
ready and willing to stand in the front
and do effective service. As a regent
of the University he has been elf
cient and effective for good. His
recent plea in the Assembly for that
high educational institution was a mas
terpece of eloQuence and close reason
ing. In politics Colonel Villas has been
during his whole life intensely Demo-
cratic; his party has found in him a
true and able advocate, while he has
persistently refused to accept nOmina-
tons for political honOrs. His first
elective Office was as member Of the
present Assembly, and that honor was
bestowed upon him without opposition.
A strong man mentally and physi-
cally, an able lawyer, an eloquent and
powerful speaker. tirst-class business
man, radical Democrat. and high
toned gentleman, Colonel Villas will en-
ter the Cabinet Of the new President
with bright prospect for future Use
fulness to his party and, we trust, to the
country. While politically there has
never been the least agreement between
Col. Villas and the state Journal there has
always existed warm personal friendship
that leads il to rejoice in his promotion.
and to wish him the most complete sue
cess in the high position to which he
has been called. The State Journals
regret is that the Democratic party has
been called to power; but as it must
be so. the calling Of no Democrat to a
place in the Cabinet would give it more
pleasure and satisfaction than does that
of Colonel William +. Villas. of Madison.