The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-05-22
PARTISAN COUNTRY POsTMASTERS.
fOSIMAsTER GENERAL Villas LETTER
INDiCATEs THAT THEIR OFFICIAL
LIVES ARE NEARLY SPENT.


AsHNGToN- Nav 12-The follow
ing circular letter, which explains itself
has been issued by the Postmaster Gen
eral. 1t has thus far been sent to tn,
Democratic members of Congress from
J the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Virgin
Ia, and will be sent to members of dele
cations from other States:
shea confidential.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT !
OFFICE OF POSTMASTER GENERAL.
WASHINGTON, d. C., April 30, 'S5.
Dear Sir: The continued illness OF
MI. Hay Will delay his coming for some
time yet to the Department. and 7 think
it desirable shat some action shonid he
taken in the way of removals. and am
impatient to assist our people in secur-
ing relief tc which they are iustiy enti-
tied from partisan postmasters. I have
mad conference with the Virginia del
egation, aud they will soon bring in
their cases, and shall hope to make the
I earliest removals in that State. As
! soon as they shall be ready, and I hope
/ within week, l desire to appoint from
/ three to ten ID a county in Virginia. am
I ounttng to several hundred altogether.
! L 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 removals in Ohio. But 1 un-
derstand it will be inconyeuient for
some to travel hitber 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 meth
oGs of procedure. and if vou can adOpt
them and get some cases ready within
the next two or three weeks I think
within the month of May I can give
substantial relief that will take awav
the importunity and discomfort. I think
that from Is to % per cent. of the
fourth-class pOstmasters in Ohio might
be removed within the next two months.
and great good accomplished thereby, if
our people adhere to proposed plan.
This Is, in short. to pick out the most
obnoxious ard offensive partisaps iu
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 paTtisanship IN these 1
selections than the affirmation or knowl. |
edge on the part of a Representative or
Senator that the postmaster has been
an active editor or proprietor of Re-
publican newspaper, printing offensive
articles, easily shown bv sins or a
stump speaker, or member of a political
committee, or officer of campaipn
club, or organizer of political meetings.
or that his Office has been made .he
headquarters of political work. or that
his clerks have been put into the per-
tormance of political duties. Possibly
other acts of equal force NAV be noted
n ba
does not know the fact it should be es
tablished by some affidavit of some per-
son whom he can affirm to be of uuones-
TONED credibility, OF by some documeu-
tary evidence.
In recommending for appointment. |
beg the Representative will state the
age, and what kind of business expert
ebce, and description of the business
character of .he applicant, and also of
his habits and standing in the commu-
lity. 1t would be we'll to file evidence
showing that he will be satisfactory to
he community. and when there are va
-ious candidates, l will be obliged by
10Y explanation which the Representa-
i've can give.
This necessarily imposes little trou
Die, and yet not very great, but it seems
o me reasonable to require very extra |
care and trouble enough to he
AIKEN to represent surely the facts. The
arllest removals and appointments of {
MS Kind will challenge the keenest
crutlny. The former must be iustiia- q
lie and the latter beyond criticism : I
'ome mistakes have perhaps occurred. :
nd our adversaries are keenly interest,"
q to make the most of every fault. be- g
ause they have perceived very strono a
urrent OF general appreciation ST the =
urposes of the Administrative. s.
In rendereing this justice to our peo- b
e 70 @P7f6 pf6ceedi eadiswsifA wifA Ht ttA ;,
hat / am correctly representing the
Presidents wishes and purposes IN earn +
stIy soliciting that every step be taken o
L may add that as the q
common good is infinitely beyond the /
Welfare Of any one person, however great 7
lis place, SO appointments to further
mere personal end, should be absolutely ,
'orbjddeu. and recommendations on tnat
basis may well expect disfavo-.
/ shall very willingly take up the case I
IF any district or of any county, when
ever they are ready; and 1 shall be
glad if the Representative can personal
Iv attend aud 90 over them. Papers
should be sent in as soon as possible,
and will be then carefully briefed IN the
department aud when so made ready
can be made with great
Tapidity.
Should you think it desirable to have
a d. rsOna! conference before this is be-
gun. shall be very glad to meet the
delegation.
But as have felt it desirable to re- |
lieve then of unnecessary JOurneylng |
and expense, / have written a similar
letter to each Representative from ONO,
,,,d resnect fuIly solicited RESPONSIVE ac-
tiOp i'm accordance with the spirit of 1t.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM F. Villas,
@ Postmaster General