The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-05-27
oFFExsrvE PARrrsANsH1P.
A Confidential Circular ExPsees How
the Hule Is to be Interpreted.


the Ruie Is to be Interpreted
WAsH1xGToN, May 13.- Post
master-general Villas has issued a
private circular letter to a number
of Democratic members of Congress
with reference to the removal and
appointment of postmasters. The
letter is as follows:
Confidential.
Post-o6ice Department, Office of
Postmaster General, Washington,
April 90, 1SS5.-Dear Sir: The con-
tinued illness of Mr.. Hay will delay
his coming for some time yet to the
Department, and think it desira-
BILE that some action sheuld be
taken in the way of removals, and
am impatient to assist our people
in securing the relief 10 which they
arejustly entitled from partisan post.
masters. | have had a conference
with the Virginia delegation, and
they will soon bring in their cases,
and l shall hope to make the earliest
removals in that state. AS sooE as
they shall be ready, and | hope
within a week, / desire to sppoint
from three to ten in a county in
Virginia, amounting to several hun.
dred altogether. / had intented to
invite yourself and the Democratic
delegation from Ohio to meet me
this week and consider the plan
upon which we should proceed in
making removals in Ohio. But ]
understand it will be inconvenient
for some to travel hither now, and
it has occurred to me that perhaps
the same end might be accomplish
ed by writing. / shall beg you
therefore, to consider the suggestions
/ make as to the methods Of proce-
dure. and if you can adopt them
and get some cases ready within the
next two or three weeks | think
within the month of May l can
give substantial relief that will take
away the importantly and discon-
tent. | think that from 10 to 25
per cent. of the fourth-class post.
masters in Ohio might be removed
within the next two months, and
great good accomplished thereby, i
our people adhere to a proposed
plan.
This is, in short, to pick out the
most obnoxious and offensive parti.
sans in each county, to the number
ola sixth to quarter of all, and
choose first-class men TO take theii
places. / will require no more
proof of partisanship in these selec'
tons than the affirmation or knowl,
edge on the part ofa representative
or senator that the postmaster has
been an active editor or proprietor
of a Republican newspaper, print
ing offensive articles, easily showr
by slips; or stump speaker, or
member of a political committee, Of
officer of a campaign club, or organ
izer of political meetings, or that his
office has been made the headquar
tiers OF political work, or that hi
clerks have been put into the per
formance of political duties. Pos
sibly other acts of equal force may
be noted in some cases. If the rep
resentative does not know the fact
it should be established by som,
affidavit of some person whom h
can affirm to be of unquestione'
credibility, or by some documentar,
evidence.
In recommending for appoint
ment, | beg the representative vii
state the age, and what kind o
business experience, and a descrip
ton of the business character of th
applicant, and also of his habits ant
standing in the community. /
would be well to file evidence show
ing that he will be satisfactory I
the community, and when there ar
various candidates, | shall be oblige'
by any explanation which the rep
resentative can give. This neces
sarliy imposes a little trouble, ant
yet not very great, but it seems T.
me reasonable. to require very ex
traordinary care and trouble enougl
to be taken to represent surely th'
facts. The earliest removals ant
appointments of this kind will chal
lenge the keenest scrutiny. Tn
former must be iustifiable and tn
latter beyond criticism. Some mis-
takes have perhaps occurred, ant
our adversaries are keenly interes
ted to make the most of every fault
because they have perceived a stroni
current of general appreciation o
the purposes of the Administration
In rendering this justice to oul
people, which consists of the remov
al of enemies and substitution o
our friends, [ feel that il is very de
sirable to proceed with extreme care
and that | am correctly represent
ing the Presidents wishes and pur
poses in earnestly soliciting tha
every step may be take accordingly
| may add that, as the common
good is infinitely beyond the wellfar
of any one person, however grea'
his place.. so appointments, to fur
ther a mere personal end, should b
absolutely forbidden, and recon
mendations upon that basis may
well expect disfavor. shall very
willingly take up the case of an,
district or of any county, wheneve
they are ready, and | shall be gla,
if the Representative could attend
and go over them. Papers shoult
be sent in as soon as possible. AM
will then be carefully briefed in tn
department, and WHEN so mad
ready, appointments can be mad
with great rapidity. Should yol
think it desirable to have confer
ence before this is begun, / shall b
very glad to meet the delegation
But as | have felt it desirable to re
lieve them of unnecessary journey
ing and expense, I have written
similar letter to each Representative
from Ohio. and respectfully solicite
responsive action in accordanc
with the spirit of it.
Very truly yours,
WM. +. Villas.