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

WASHINGTON, May 12.-The following
letter, which explains itself, has been issued
by the postmaster general. 1t has thus far
been sent to the Democratic members of
congress from the states of Ohio, Indiana
and Virginia. and will be sent to members
of delegations from other states:
CONFIDENTIAL.
PosTOFFICE DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF POSTMASTER GENERAL,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,April 20, 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 III the
way of removals, and am impatient to assist
our people in securing relief to which they
are Justly entitled from partisan pOStmaS-
terS. | 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 soon as
they shall be ready, and | hope within
week. l desire to appoint from three to
ten in 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 me that
perhaps the same end might be accomplished
by writing. l shall beg you, therefore to
consider the suggestions l make as to the
methods of procedure, and II you adopt
them and get some eases ready within the
next two or three weeks, think within the
month of May [ can give substantial relief
4oi-a no INN
content. This is. in short, to pick out the
most obnoxious and offensive partisanS in
each county. to the number of a sixth to a.
quarter of all, and choose first-class men
to take their places. l will require
no more proof of partiSanship in these
selections than the affirmation of knowl-
edge on the part OF a representative or sen
atOr that the postmaster has been an active
editor or proprietor of a Republican news
paper printing offensive articles, easily
shown by slips, or
4 STUMP SPEAKER,
Or 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 Tor appoint
ment beg the representative will state age.
business, and what kind of business eX-
perience, and description of the business
character OF the applicant, and also OF his
1
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 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
appointments of this kind will challenge
the keenest scrutiny. The former must be
iustifable 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 strong current of general
appreciation of the purposes Of the admin
istEation. In rendering this Justice to our
people, which consists Of the removal of
and substitution of our friends.
I feel that it is very desirable to proceed
with extreme care, and that I am correctly
representing the presidents wishes and
purposes in earnestly soliciting that every
step may be taken according. l may add
HAT as the common good is infinitely be-
yond the welfare Of any one person, how
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. 1 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 go over them. Papers should be
sent in 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 have felt it desirable to relieve
them of unnecessary jOurneying 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. T. Villas, Postmaster General.