New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-12
ONE VERDICT UPOV Villas.
DENoUNCING HIS POSTAL SCHEMES.

| VIEwS OF MERCHANTS on THE WEST INDIA SER
vICE-NoT QUESTION OF POLITICS.
If POstmaSter-Gcnera Villas really wishes to
know how his improved mail service between here
West indies regarded by those most Interested
and affected by it, he should spend few hours
among the importers and exporters OF this city, who
have large dealings with those Islands He will quickly
ascertain that he has seriously nteriered with the bust
ness interests firms and OF the whole country to
a certain extent The system Is denounced III I'M
measured terms by almost every man who mas occasion
IT, II is not question Of politics at all, since tue
fercest criticisms of Mr. Villas made by Democrats
1t is condemned purely business grounds TRIBUNE
reporter called several representative importing
houses on Saturday. In inquiry respecting
the workings of the new arrangement Mr. Perkins, OF
Perkins Il Welsh. no IL Waist, said:
lit is simply aDominablc; why, it takes eleven days
now IL letter from here to sagda IA place about
nine ride Havana If trust to the Govern
deliver it, OF course use the steamers almost
entirely formerly but it costs double postage To do 50
every instance We stamp all letters aud other matter
sent by Wards AleXandre's lines just the same as
though deposited them in the post Office This pre-
vents the Government from being defrauded. But the
Cuban postal authorities do not recognize mail brought
outside by those steamers Officially stamped and
they charge postage upon It, which either or our Gus
forced to pay But we prefer to do this n
thousand times than trust correspondence to sail
boats and fishing sm,cks."
Government route at all but cOusign all their mail 10
the caro- OF the steamship lines. 81 fail to understand
said one the firm, "why the Administration should
entirely disregard the business interests OF the conn
try la, been in this 1t is simply outrageous
to compel be at extra expense In order that our
mail shall be delivered promptly. We cannot trust 10
the Government the safe aud prompt delivery OF our
mail although willing pay all 1t asks for such
service. None OF Cuban customers ever thinks OF
sending mail by ANY other way than by the steamship
lines, which always on time"
Let ne give you illustration of how the new sys
TEN works.. SAID Mr. Lopez OF CaiXto Lopez Co., the
tobacco importers OF No 3. Ccdar-s The other day
received from Havana draft for $1,000 payable at
sight In three days. L. by the Ward Line. The
letter of advice, which mailed at the same time
with 1t, WAS sent by Key West and Tampa Bay. The
ala here until five days after the arrival OF
draft. Trusting to knowledge OF the signature
paid 1t. But yOu readily see the FISK that ran IN
DONG so. Mr.. Villas has gvn Us sadly detective ser
vice IN place OF one perfect IN every respect
Mr.. Lupczs sentiments were shared Nv all the large
tobacco men with whom tie reporter cohVeIscd
Scarcely any OF them use the land mail at all They are
compelled To resort to t+e use OF the ctnc more imam
formerly. As the telegraph rates between mere and
Cuba are as hiSh between New.lork ana Europe this
: also "A matter OF some Importance
Longman MARTINEZ, exporters OF paints and oils. Of
they subjected 10 IN the delivery OF their mails under
the new arrangements. They gave s-rcru st'nccs OF
era, letters customers aut agents complain
ing slow aud uncertain methods of delivery now
tive OF Pock q Co SAID: Our customers IN
ing about the miserable way In which
tAe mails are now handed B!wcrman Bros. Of
No. 81 Wal-s spoke as follows: MI. Villas undertook
To do what he thought mighty big thing hut ia
reality about the smallest business Cabinet on
could and he deserves all the abuse thar lie
wing his unpatrUtlc action toward the mail
steamship companies" Mr. Nichols. OF Austin Nichols
& Co., sand: "Nes, have been subjected 10 great
deal of annoyance by this arrangement Of the Post
nater-rnrrdl our pOudcnt states that letters
are not only delayed but several have been lost Tnss
"A serious matter, and do hope that II VIII be- remtdeI
at once" member OF the ilm OF Moses TAYLOR Co.,
who has been Europe for some time, did not think
there much fault TO mud with the system. But
the e~pUndeuce clerk, VINO was called up 10 confirm
THIS vcw stated that there had been considerable COM
plant the part OF the firms customers ~ Cuba
Mr.. AmIrAl, OF Admiral a Co., No. lG Cedar ST.,
thought that the merchants had abundant cause FOR
plant. He stated that he hal signed the petition which
was recently sent to President Cleveland ~ regard 10
the condition the foreign NAL service. but nothing
vet had been heard from 1t. Said wcknON n down
Town importer: " voted the Democratic ticket and
helped get Villas in bat his action IN regard to the
ocean mails f. but Illustration OF theory that
have long held which Is. that give Democrat an a
pOrtunIty distinguish himself III credIlaDc and
he will De certain to make fool Of himself, IL such
thing possible Villas seized upon the first opportunity
he found do the latter ana he has done well. lie
I'd acted more fOolahy II he lad tined ever
hard