New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-06
SNEET TILAS.

William r. Villas as everybody knows. ia O
mcllifuous orator. and one Of the most polished
rhctOricians in Wisconsin. 1t has even been
said by some OF his enthusiastic friends that he
has no superior northwest Of Chicago but it
would be rash to accept hastily a statement
like that about region that steadily huns with
oratory Who knows what the local talent
may be Of Oshkosh. ShebOygan and Green Bay.
to say nothing of other lively towns in MIR.
Vilas's own State? But there is no doubt
he can make speech which. In
the rapidity OF its flow and the cOpiousnoss of
its yerbiage. is not to be excciled. II produces
deep impression at any time. and II the audi
encc have dincd it seems to them like cloqucnce
equal to that of Colonel John r. Fellows. which
I. somewhat resembles in its literary character
i>tics, and not far inferior to that OF Demos
themes. Like all rhctOricians. Mr. Villas is
fond Of listening to the sweet gurgle of his
plentiful vocabulary, the gentle chug-chug OF
his harmonious prose. As n result. we have
had good deal OF his peculiarly ornate Aylc
in official documents, since he began to make
"a tour, as he is apparently doing. Of the Cabinet
positions. There was a good example of its
sweetness and richness. which cynics some
times find cloying. in his annual report. when he
said that the best postal service We can possibly
obtain is due to the character Of the citizens
Of this country, to their freedom and enlighten-
ment, to their enterprise and activity. to their
wealth and power, and especially to the in
tmacy Of their personal relations. maintained
over so great an expansc Of territory to an tx
tent never cqualled. hardly aimed At elsewhere
on the globe. from which arise the fraternity
OF feeling and community of interest that fur
nish the safest guarantees for the future stabi
ity and value of our Federal institutions"
1t was a fortunate day for this country when
Mr. Villas became Postmaster-Gencral.b because
there were the postal laws and regulations
waiting to be codificd. and any other man
would have done it in dry and formal way.
instead OF making the rules like flowers TO the
eye and like music to the car. This volume
was issued some months ago. No part Of it
will better repay study than Section $50. page
2O8. where Mr.. Villas embalmcd in the amber
Of his own sentences that very dead fy known
as the Presidents "order' on "the personal
conduct of officials" II Mr. Villas could have
forcseen that he would expose his honorcd
CHIEF to the jccrs OF the irrcvcrent by putting
this document permanently on record. he would
doubtless have refraincd, but there il is-with
his comments.
The order he tells the postmastcrs. has
peculiar application to them. "An, Of every
dcgrcc. condition and private opinion, are en-
titled Of right to kindly service by their
Government. with attention. civilty and ac-
commodating assistance on the part of its
agents and especially without offence to their
sensibilities." But the more important Dor
tions OF the commentary have bearing the
accomplished Author did not forcsee upon the
circular recently prepared 10 be issued TO post
masters in Ncw-York etate. Mr.. Villas saws:
Advantage of the enforced opportunity should never
be taken TO subject visitors to the public Office OIL
10 proseiytng attempts to convert them or to other
wounds Of feeling by expressions In opposition to their
opinions. political. religions. or otherwise.
Tho regulation forbds further that tho Postmaster
should install himself the manipulation tho politi
Cal affairs OF his own party. He Ia no. thereby
abridged Of his privileges citizen bm restrained
from encroarhment on hoss Of his fellow citizens
Such limo OF conduct as Is incrdictcd would expose
him to tho impuia,ion Of a conscious failure 10 earn
his salary By his service or OF scheming 10 maintan
or advance himself By 9th means than excellence IN
performance Of duty. tend excite disarection
In his own party and bring reproach on the public
yico.
No Official will md his tut Independence restrained
by thu Of manly moderation and tolerant
tear which ihs regulation snjons. nor. II hs roads 10