St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-13
CONFIDENTIAL. |

POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF POSTMASTER GENERAL.
WASHINGTON. D. CAPRI %, 1885.
Dear Sir: The continued illness OF Mr..
Hay will delay his coming for some time
Vet to the department and l think it deSlr-
able that some action should be taken Ill the
way of removals and am impatient to assist
our people in securing relief TO which they
are justly entitled from partisan pOStmaS-
tarS. | have had a conference with the
Virginia delegation, and they will soon
bring iii their eases and l shall hope to make
the earliest removals in that state as soon as
they shall be ready, and l hope within
week. l desire TO appoint from three to
ten i'll a county in Virginia, amounting to
SEVERAL. HUNDRED ALTOGETHER.
I had intended 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 remoy-
ais in Ohio. but [ understand it
will be inconyenient for some to travel
now. and it has occurred TO NE that
perhaps the same end might be accomplished
by writing l shall beg you, therefore, TO
consider the suggestions | make as TO the
methods OF procedure, and if you 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. This IS i'll short, to pick out the
most obnoxious and offensive partisanS III
each county, to the number of a sixth TO a.
quarter Of all and choose tirSt-claSS men
to take their places. l will require
no more proof of partisanship in these
selections than the affirmation of kn0Wl-
edge on the part OF a representative or sen
atOr that the postmaster has been an active
editor or proprietor of Republican news
paper printing Offensive articles, easily
shown by slips, or
4 STUMP SPEAKER,
or a member Of political committee, or
officer of a 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. Posi-
bly, other acts of equal force may be
noted in some cases. If the representative
does not know the fact it should be
established by some affidavit Of some per-
son whom he can affirm to be of unques-
toned character or by some documentary
evidence. In recommending for appoint
ment [ beg the representative will state age,
business, and what kind of business eN-
perience. 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 where there are various candidates
hall be obliged by any explanation which
the representative can give. This neceS-
sarily imposes a little trouble, and yetnot
very great. but it seems TO me reasonable to
require
VERY EXTRA ORDTNARY 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
iustitiable and the latter beyond criticism.
Some mistakes have perhaps occurred, and
our adversaries are keenly interested to
make the most Of every fault, because they
have perceived a strong current of general
appreciation of the purposes Of the admin
Stlati0n. In rendering this Justice to our
people, which consists OF the removal of
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 according. | may add
Elst as the common good is infinitely be-
ever great his place, so appointments, to
further
A MERE PERSONAL END,
should be absolutely forbidden, and recon-
mendation upon that basis may well expect
disfavor. [ 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 representative can personally
attend and 90 over them. Papers should be
sent III as soon as possible and will be then
carefully briefed in the department, and
when SO made ready appointments can be
made with great rapidity.
Should you think it desirable to have
personal conference before this is begun l
Shall be very glad to meet the delegation.
But as l have felt it desirable to relieve
them of unnecessary iourneying and eX-
pense 1 have written a similar letter to
other representatives, and respectfully
solicited responsive action in accordance
with the spirit of it. Very truly yours,
WM. 7. Villas, Postmaster General.