Evening star., 1898-09-15
THE OTHER SIDE.
Secretary Victory of Letter Carriers
Association Defends Himself.

The disappearance of John F. Victory of
this city from the convention of letter car
riers in Toledo some days ago caused con-
siderable comment. Mr.. Victory was for
several years the secretary of the associa-
ton, and when he left the convention many
| runors were circulated as to the probable
cause of his absence.
Mr.. Victory returned to this city yester-
day, and last night gave out for publica-
ton the following statement of his side OF
the case;
"A great deal that is unnecessary and
which does not concern the public has been
said about me in connection with the re-
cent convention. In the first place l went
| to Toledo prepared to make an attack upon
some of the methods by which the assoca-
tlon mas been conducted in the past. The
trouble started months ago when some of
the officers met here at the st. James Ho-
tel, and L then plainly set forth what l in
tended to do in the convention which was
to meet at Toledo. l opposed some of the
boldly attacked them. l was promised sup
port from many quarters, and had every
reason to suppose that it would be ac
corded me in the convention, and that
those who had promised to stand by me
would do so. l soon found, however. that
they had gone back on me; that the entire
plan Of President Parsons would be carried
out to the letter. that was in the minor
ity owing to the failure of my supposed
supporters to stand by me.
Il have nothing to conceal, and the re-
ports show that everything in my affairs
was perfectly straight. have been in the
organization as secretary for seven years,
having been choser. one year after its or
ganization; have continued in that position
ever since, and do not exaggerate when !
say that have done more to build up the
association than any other one man.
Il was mortified and humiliated that
matters and statements should become
public at the session in Toledo which
should never have been allowed to come to
the surface at any other place than IN ex-
ecutive session. Just what did occur in eX-
ecutive session it would not be just or
proper for me to say, but it was what hap
pened there that really broke me down, al
though 1 have been breaking down with
nervous trouble for the past two years /
became SO disgusted and dissatisfied with
the way matters were shaping themselves
in the executive session that, sick ard dis
heartehed. | left for my friends room, and
was not able to be out during the rest of
the convention, and, in fact, did not care
to return.
That is about all there is to the case
There seems to have been an effort made
to have it appear that the trouble was
over accounts, but there is absolutely moth
ing in that. No question was ever raised
for moment upon that score, as will be
shown by the report of the auditing COM
mittee. and the fact that the statements
rendered by the secretary and treasurer
are exactly alike. he whole trouble was
over a question of policy for the associa-
tion and President Parsons was successful
with his plan
Mr.. Victory is still in feeble health and
shows the result of the strain to which he
has been subjected. but is content to let
the matters of the association rest as they
are without further complaint or protest.