The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-10
POSTMASTER GEN. Villas
ADMITS THAT HE MADE THAT
SPEECH,
But Says He Made the Burden of 1t
the Endorsement Of CleVeIand's
Civil Service Reform.

WASHINGTON, November g. The
case against Postmaster General Villas.
who 30 recently violated the Presi.
DENTS civil service order, is attracting
attention among the politicians, par.
ticulsrly since Mr.. Vest has made such
pointed reference 10 it in his ar9u-
ment Def re the President in the Ben
ton case. Good and iDdisputable evil
dsnce can bs given of Mr.. Villas hay
ing made a political speech in the
campaign ct his home in Madison.
Some of his friends FAY he did not
speak as Federal office holder. but
simply as friend of his fellow towns.
men for the purpose of relating to
them the merits of the administration.
Whatever may the defense the point
OF his immunity from punishment
will be used in the Senate if the Presi-
dent does not restore Benton or
should send in come other name for
the place. A representative of the
Times Star called upon Mr.. Villas 10
ask him about his alleged violation of
the Presidents order.
ut is true" said Gen. Villas, "that l
did make speeCh last Monday night
at my home IN Madison. The reports
sent out to the press that l had par
ticipated in the con est aud assists d in
the manipulation Of the canvass is
wholly false and without the least pos
sible semblanCe of truth. / die not
reach Madison until Sunday night pre-
vious to the election. On Monday l
spent an hour and half of the fore
noon convefsing with friends hap
pened to meet on the sidewalk and
called at the Democrat office for fifteen
minutes. 1t was natural should call
upon my old friends. After | had in
dulged in brief call | returned to nv
residence snd remained there until
evening. was asked to address, the
people in connection with other gen.
tlemen, some Of them promine nt and
well known throughout the State. By
their courtesy more time was accorded
me than either of the other gentlemen
occupied. 1t has been the custom,
think, for the past twenty years
in the city of Madison to close
the campaign with a political
meeting, eitner on Saturday or Mon
day evening preceding the election on
Tuesday. did not suppose there had
been half.dozan of these NEE tings
when / was absent, and did not have
something to say to my friends upon
the political situation. l had gone
home to vote, and was willing to
travel 20C0 miles to enjoy that
privilege and attest my sincerity to
an honest and fair administration oil
public affairs. In the course of my
remarks l spoke specifically upon the
Presidents order issued to Federal of.
ficeholders regarding participation in
political conventions. / pointed oul
the evils which had grown up during
the lifetime OF the Republican
party, when party nominations were
controlled by the officeholding
element. | unqualifiedly declared
my cordial approval of the President't
course and policy in respect to the Of
ficious dictation and intermediary
OF ofhceholders in directing nomina.
tions and manipulating conven
lions, and the declaration re
ceived an outburst of ap
plause indicative of the most hearty
approval of the wise aid juditiout
police of the President. / was among
my friends and 10 ked upon it as {
duty 10 address them when they haC
been kind enough 10 exte ID to me at
invitation. There is a wide difference
between addressing an audiences a
home in single epeech and abandon
ing the duties of an office fo- a lonj
period Of campaigning. There mus
be distinction allowed between off
GERS charged with d ffereut duties il
connec ion with the service OF tb,
government. There was n-tbi1g il
the business requiring any attention
but the false reports transmitted 70
pant san ends