Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-16
IConfdential.7
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

-
WASHINGTON, d. c., April %, 1885.
DEAR SIR-The continued illness of MIR.
Hay will delay his coming for some time
yet to the department. and think it de-
sirable 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 justly entitled from parti-
san postmasters. l have had a confer
ence with the Virginia delegation, and
they will soon bring in their cases, and !
shall hope to make the earliest removals
in that State. As soon as they shall be
ready, and hope within a week, desire
TO appoint from three to ten in county
in Virginia, amounting to several hundred
altogether. | had intended TO invite your
self and the Democratic delegation from
New YORK to meet me this week and con-
slider The plan upon which we should pro
coed in making removals in New \ Ork.
But | understand 1t Will be incOnvenient
for some to travel hither now, and it
has occurred to me that perhaps the same
end might be accomplished by'writTg. l
shall beg you, therefore, to consider the
suggestions | make as TO the methods of
procedure, and if you can adopt them and
get some cases ready within the next two
or three weeks, l think within the month
of May [ can give substantial relief that
will take away the importantly and dis
content.
L think that from Is to % per cent. of
the fourth class pOstmasters ia New y Ork
might be removed in the next two months
and great good accomplished thereby, if
our people will adhere to proposed plan.
This is, in short, to pick out the most OBJ
noXious and offensive partisans in each
county to the NUMBER Of a sixth to
quarter of all, and choose frst-class men
to take their places. will require no
more proof Of the partisanship in these
selections than the Affirmation of knOwl-
edge on the part OF a Representative or
Senator that the Postmaster has been an
active editor or proprietor of a Republic
can newspaper, printing offensive articles,
easily shown by slips; or a stump speak
er, or member of a 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. If the Representa-
tive does not know the fact it should be
established by some affidavit of some per
son whom he can affirm to be of Gnques-
toned credibillty, or by some documen-
tary evidence. In recommending for an
pointment | beg the Representative viii
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 we'll to lille evil
dence showing that he will be satisfac-
tory 10 the community, and when there
are various candidates | shall be obliged
by any explanation which the Represen-
tatiVe 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 appo;nt-
ments Of this kind will challenge the
keenest scrutiny. The former must be
justitiable and the latter beyond criticism.
Some mistakes have perhaps occurred,
and our adyersaries are 6eeuly interested
to make the most OF every fault because
they have perceived a strong current Of
general appreciation of the purposes OF
the administration. In rendering this
justice TO our people, which consists Of
there removals 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 solicit
4 ing that every step may be taken accord
1 ingly. | may add that, as the common
/ good is infinitely beyond the welfare CT
/ any one person, however great his place.
]
al end sEouid be absolutely forbidden. and
/ recommendations upon thar basis NAV
well expect disfav9r. ] shall very w,l-
| liEgly take up the case of any district or
| OF any county whenever IL is ready, aud |
shall be glad If the Representative can
personally attend and 20 over them.
Papers should be sent in AZ soon as possi-
bic and will be then carefully brieied in
the department, and when 50 made ready
] anDoinfmguTs pau Ina maIn with frroat
rapidity.
Should you think IL desirable 10 have a
personal conference before this Is begun,
| should be very glad to meet the delega-
tiOn. But as / nave felt il desirable 10 re-
lieve them OF unnecessary jOurneying
and expense, l have written similar
letter % each Representative from New
/ York, and respectfully solicited respon-
siye action in accordance wit1 the spirit
Of it. Very truly yours,
WILLIAM F. Villas,
20 stmastcr-General