Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-04-20
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May IS, 1856.


Sir. Tn q conversation with Hon. j. S. Bar.
bour, of this State ,on the 21stin Il was inform.
ed by him that charges had been preferred
against me as postmaster OF my native city
Alexandria, Va. | asked him if would be
entitled to copy of them for investigation
His reply was, "Certainly." | Immediately
called upon Postmaster General Villas, in.
Producing myself, and informed him of the
conversation and information obtained from
Mr. Barbour, and requesting TO be furnished
with a copy of charges and the names Of
nv accusers. The answer received from
the Postmaster.G General was, that he did
not propose to make his Departments court
of inquiry. then asked him to be allowed
to see the charges and the names OF the ac-
cusers; this he positively declined TO do. |
then asked him il he intended to inaugurate
a star. chamber tribunal under civil service
reform, to invite and receive charges against
officials. to convict and execute without Civ
ing them an opportunity OF knowing that
they were even accused, and in all proba.
biity by partisans of disreputable character;
to this his only reply was that it IVES only
necessary for him 10 know that charge were
made, and that he would act accordir ely. ]
tten invited MIN to an examination al d tn
standing Of my office. This was, he said
left to the examiners.
This was all | could obtain in the way oil
satisfaction, information, or justice from
he Postmaster General. | then informed
him that was sorry that | should be com.
PEELED to call upon one higher in authority
than himself / have endeavored to correct.
" quote the conversation between the Post.
master General and myself, and, knowingly,
would not misrepresent him. do, there
fore, Mr.. President, with the great repect TO
which your exalted position entities you,
make this my appeal, and lay before you
the above statement OF facts. | desire 10
say further that the administration Of my
officer stands unassailed and unassailable.
| received my Office ut tho hands of q re-
publican administration, and while l would
not out Of selfrespect violate the proprie-
ties Of my official relations with an admnis-
tration of opposite politics, did not sup
pose it was intended to remove term officers
merely because they were republicans and
if my removal is to be made simply for that
reason, I have nothing more to say, as !
have no concessions to make of my political
faith, but FLOR any better cause, then most
respectfully suggest | certainly have right
to know it. l would make no compromise
of my political convictions to retain my
position, and the man who would, in my
judgment, is unworthy the respect and con-
tdence of any party.
Surely tho highest attribute of wise and
honest ruler should be guarantee ofjustice
to the most humble citizen, and, Mr.. Presi-
dent, can not believe that one occupying
the exalted position of yourself, and upon
whom so much depends, will allow your
subordinates to convert the Government
Departments into star chamber tribunals
under the guise of "civil-service REFORM for
the purpose of inviting and receiving
charges, trying, convicting, and depriving
citizens of their rights upon er parte evil
dence.
ask, therefore, respectfully the oppor-
tunity of seeing and meeting my accusers,
and the right of defense. Certainly the
humblest citizen is entitled to this privilege;
otherwise, it can not but appear that / am
removed wholly upon political grounds, by
secret charges. without an opportunity of
defense.
am, most respectfully,
DAVID A. WINDSOR, Postmaster.
His excellency Grover Cleveland, Pres
ident United States.