The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-31
THE ARROGANT Villas.

He Encounters a Prominent Western Con-
gressman and Is 'Downed."
Special to the Indianapol Journal.
WAsHINGTON July 30-Four or five weeks
ago Western congressman, who has been very
moderate in mis- demands upon the new admins
tration, stopped over in Washington and visited
the Postoffce Department. He had not been
there very long before he encountered Villas. A
little controversy arose at once over the appoint
ment of some postal clerks in the congressman's
district. Villas had appointed several without
consulting him, but had in two instances out of
three asked the advice of his personal enemies.
Very naturally the NJ. c.. who is one Of the most
popular men in the House, and man of brains,
did not like this treatment, and as Vas's swelled
head would not permit him to talk with q mem
Der on decent basis he was soon left to himself,
and q request was filed that he should
consider all applications from this mem
Der as ''off,' and in the future the
congressman promised not to indorse
any one or ask him for anything. A few days
ago the same member Of Congress came to
Washington and called upon the President The
first thing the President said to him, after the
greetings were over, was: by the way, Mr..
to Postmaster general Villas. [ am sorry that
you got into snarl with him. and 1 wish you
would go and see him."
II beg your pardon, Mr.. President" replied
the congressman, "but | am not the sort of a
man to run after one of Mr.. Vias's calibre and
1 must decline to 60 near him"
The President then suggested that it was very
unpleasant to have such i'll feeling existing be-
tween his friends and his Cabinet officers, and he
asked the congressman again to submit to al
interview. He finally consented to do So pro
viding the President would make the appoint
ment. The appointment made and kept,
when Mr. Villas, in querulous voice, said
THAT was a very emphatic letter Irecelved from
you"
II intended it should be, was the roply. II
trust you understood its contents"
''Yes, think did," said Mr.. Villas; 'but I
have looked at the statutes and have found that
had perfect right to make .the appointments
complained off,
"Dly dear sir" replied the congressman, 81 am
surprised that you, a member of the Cabinet
and a prominent railroad lawyer, should be
compelled to look up the statutes upon any such
question as that. Why any fool in our cross
roads knew perfectly we'll that you had the right
to make the appointments. There was no one
in my congressional district who claimed that
right"
Villas was very much annoyed at this plain
talk, and the interview came TO a sudden terni-
nation.
Yesterday the congressman saw the President
again. The subject of Villas was talked of, and
again he was urged to become reconced. He
said that there was nothing to be reconciled
about, and later in the day went to the Post
Office Department. "Oh, am very glad to SEQ
you," was the greeting received from Mr. Villas
"Go right into Jamison's Office, az there are
some vacancies in the appointments of postal
clerks in your district and we very desrous
that you should name their successors"
This is one Of many instances in which Nr.
Villas has been ''dowhed" by congressman. His
entanglements with congressman have been so