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Story
July 20, 1887
Staunton Spectator
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
Defense of General Vilas against criticism for demoting Mrs. Van Lew from a higher to lower position in the Post Office service due to her incompetence, highlighting his stern public virtue and focus on efficient government service without pensions or sentiment.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
An Honest Officer.
A vain attempt has been made to assail General Vilas because Mrs. Van Lew has been promoted backwards. She was a clerk in the Postoffice service, and not competent to the duties required, where-upon she was discharged? By no means; she was only rated lower and got a few hundred dollars less money. General Vilas, who is known for his stern public virtue, makes the point that his Department has no money to be used in pensions, and this simple statement is unanswerable. His branch of Government is full of work, and very hard work at that, and the people demand good service without regard to matters of sentiment. If there are any to be reproached in this matter they are Mrs. Van Lew's own friends, who ought to have put her on the pension list, and not in an office the duties of which she is unable to perform. The fault we say, if fault there be, lies with them, and not with the honest and able officer who manages the vast postal affairs of the Republic.
A vain attempt has been made to assail General Vilas because Mrs. Van Lew has been promoted backwards. She was a clerk in the Postoffice service, and not competent to the duties required, where-upon she was discharged? By no means; she was only rated lower and got a few hundred dollars less money. General Vilas, who is known for his stern public virtue, makes the point that his Department has no money to be used in pensions, and this simple statement is unanswerable. His branch of Government is full of work, and very hard work at that, and the people demand good service without regard to matters of sentiment. If there are any to be reproached in this matter they are Mrs. Van Lew's own friends, who ought to have put her on the pension list, and not in an office the duties of which she is unable to perform. The fault we say, if fault there be, lies with them, and not with the honest and able officer who manages the vast postal affairs of the Republic.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Justice
What keywords are associated?
General Vilas
Mrs Van Lew
Post Office
Demotion
Public Virtue
Government Service
What entities or persons were involved?
General Vilas
Mrs. Van Lew
Where did it happen?
Post Office Department
Story Details
Key Persons
General Vilas
Mrs. Van Lew
Location
Post Office Department
Story Details
Criticism of General Vilas for demoting incompetent clerk Mrs. Van Lew is rebutted, praising his virtue in prioritizing efficient service over sentiment and suggesting her friends should have sought a pension for her instead.