The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-04-15
That CONFIDENTIAL Circular.


of this reform administration, it is proper
to keep prominently before the people
the confidential" circular issued by
Postmaster General Villas, and addressed
to the Democratic members of Congress
from the States of Ohio, Indiana and
Virginia. 1t speaks for itself and exposes
the methods invented and adopted by a
Cabinet minister to assassinate the char
acter of officers in his department, who
are of different political belief to that
professed by himself. If the manly
course had been pursued of absolute re-
movals because the incumbents were Re-
publicans, and their places given to Dem
Gratis, because they were such. no COM
plant could have been reasonably uttered.
1t would have been what was expected.
But to resort to the cowardly device indi-
Gated in this letter. is not what either
Democrats or Republicans can endorse, if
they express their honest sentiments
(Confdential.)
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF POSTMASTER-GENERAL,
WASHINGTON, April 20, 1885.
DEAR SIR.-The continued illness of Mr.. Hay
Dep artment, and think it desirable that some
action should be taken in the way of removals,
and am impatient to assist our people in secur-
ing relief to which they are justly entitled
from partisan postmasters. have had con-
ference with the Virginia delegation and they
to make the earliest removals in that State.
AS soon as they shall be ready, and hope
within desire n V Il
several hundred altogether. had intended to
invite yourself and the Democratic delegation
from Ohio to meet me this week. and consider
making removals in Ohio. But understand 1t
will be inconvenient for some to travel hither
the same end might be accomplished by writ
ing. shall beg you, therefore, to consider the
ceedure, and If you can adopt them and get
some cases ready within the next two or three
weeks think within the month Of May can
Importantly and discomfort think that from
Is to Is 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 will adhere to a proposed plan.
This is. in short. to pick out the most obnox-
iOuS and offensive partisans in each county, to
the number of a sixth to a quarter of all, and
choose frst-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 representative or Senator
that the postmaster has been an active editor
or proprietor of a Republican newspaper,
printing offensive articles, easily shown by
slips; or stump speaker, or member OF a
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. Pos
sibly 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 person whom he can affirm to
be of unquestioned credibiity, Or by some
documentary evidence.
Representative will 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 file
evidence showing that re will be satisfactory
to the community, and when there are various
candidates shall be obliged by any explana-
ton which the Representative can give.
This necessarily imposes a little trouble, and
vet not very great, but it seems to me reasona-
| BILE to require very extraordinary care and
| trouble enough to be taken to represent surely
the facts. The earliest removals and appoint
ments of this kind will challenge the keenest
scrutiny. The former must be justifiable and
| the latter beyond criticism Some mistakes
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 administration.
In rendering this justice to our people, which
Of the oval Of and
| proceed with extreme care, and that am cor.
| rectly representing the Presidents wishes and
purposes in earnestly soliciting that every steE
may be taken accordingly. | may add that al
the common good is Infinitely beyond the wei
| fare of any one person, however great hi
place, so appointments, to further mere per
| sOnal end, should be absolutely forbidden, anf
recommendations upon that basis may vel
!! expect disfavor
| Ishall very willingly take up the case of any
| district or of any county whenever they are
ready, and 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 b.
| made with great rapidity.
Should you think 1T desirable to have per
| sonal conference before TIL is begun l shall
| be very glad 70 meet the delegation.
! But as have felt 1t desirable to relieve then
of unnecessary journeying and expense. have
written a similar letter to each Representative
| from Ohio and respectfully solicited responsive
| action in accordance with the spirit of it.
Very truly yours WILLIAM F. Villas,
5 Postmaster General