Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-18
Postmaster General vilas's Cireu-
lar.
IDnrcrIoss ron GErrno RErCsLIcAHs UT
on OFFICE.
The following l. the full text OF the circu-
lar just issued by Postmaster General Was
rConfidentlal.
Posr OYrIcE DEPARrMENr.
0vrrcr nv pnarNAafgR GENERAL,

OFFICE OF P0srMAsfER GENERAL,
WAsaIsorox, d. c.. April %. 1852
Dear Sir: The continued illness OF M.
| Hay will delay his coming for some time yee
to the department. and think 1t desiraoie
that some action should be taken IN the way
Of removals, and am impatient TO assist our
people in securing relief, to which they are
;ustIv entitled. from partisan postmaatera. l
have had conference with the Virginia dei
eestiou. and they will soon brng In their
cases. and shall hope to make the earliest
removals in that State. Al soon ~ they snah
be ready, and hope within . week, desire
10 appoint from three to ten 10 county 10
Virginia. amounting to several hundred q.
together. | had intended to invite yourself
and the democratic delegation OF ONO 70
meet me this week and consider the plan upon
which we should proceed in making removals
in Ohio. But I understand it will be incon
venient for some to travel hither now. and It
has occurred to me that perhaps the same end
might be accomplished by writing ] shall
beg you, therefore, to consider the suggestion
make ~ to the methods of procedure. and II
you can adopt them and get some cases ready
within the next two or three weeks. think
within the month of May can give substan-
tial relief that will take away the importantly
and discomfort. think that from ID to 70
per cent of the fourth class postmasters IN
Ohio might be removed within the next two
months, and great good accomplished there.
by, il our people will adhere to . proposed
plan. ess,gg,
This is, in short, to pick out the most OBJ
noxious and offensive partisans IN each coun-
ty. to the number Of . sixth to quarter OF
all. and choose frstclass men to take their
places. will require no more proof Of par
tisanshp in these selections than the afirma
ton of knowledge on the part of represen-
tative or senator that the postmaster has been
an active editor or proprietor of republican
newspaper printing offensive articles. easily
shown by slips; or q stump speaker, or MEM
Der of political committee, or officer OF
campaign club. or organizer of political
meetings, or that his Office has been made the
headquarters of political work. or that his
clerks have been put into the performance OF
political duties. Possibly other acts of
equal force may be noted in some cases. 1t
the representative does not know the fact, it
should be established by some affidavit OF
some person whom he can affirm to be of I'M
questioned credibiity. or by some documen-
tary evidence.
In recommending for appointment, | beg
the representative will state the age. business,
and what kind Of business experience, and a
description of the business character of the
applicant, and also of his habits and standing
in the community. 1t would be well to file
evidence showing that he will be satisfactory
to the community, and when there are vari-
Gus candidates. shall be obliged by any ex-
PLANTATION which the representative can give.
This necessarily imposes little trouble,
and yet not very great: but it seems to me
reasonable to require very extraordinary care
and trouble enough to be taken to represent
surely the facts, The earliest removals and
appointments of this kind will challenge the
keenest scrutiny. The former must be justi-
fable. and the latter beyond criticism. Some
mistakes have perhaps occurred, and our ad-
are keenly interested to make the
most of every fault, because they have per-
ceived strong current of general approba-
ton of the purposes of the administration.
In rendering this justice to our people.
which consists of the removal of opponents
and substitution of our friends, feel that it
is very desirable to proceed with extreme
care, and that am correctly representing the
Presidents wishes and purposes in earnestly
soliciting that every step may be taken &C.
cordingly. l may add that, as the common
good is infinitely beyond the welfare of any
one person, however great his place, so ap.
pointments to further mere personal end
should be absolutely forbidden, and recon-
mendations upon that basis may we'll expect
disfavor.
l shall very willingly take up the case of
any district or of any county whenever they
are ready; and l shall be glad if the repre-
sentative can personally attend and 20 over
them. Papers should be sent in a. soon az
possible, and will be then carefully briefed
in the department; ana when so made ready,
appointments can be made with great rapidly.
Should you think it desirable to have per-
sonal conference before this is begun, l shall
be very glad to meet the delegation.
But as have felt it desirable to relieve
them of unnecessary journeying and expense,
have written a similar letter to each repre-.
sentative from Ohio and respectfully solicited
responsive action in accordance with the
spirit of it.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM F. Villas,
Postmaster General