The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-04-01
- - =
tGIRCU
DrPAsrNENr OF STAFF, }
March 90, 1911.

March 20, ISL.
4. To the Hon. THoMss Ewi.G,
seeretary Of tie Treasury.
IE:-l'bo President is Of opinion that il is i
great abuse TO bring the patronage Of the tiener-l
Government into conflict with the iTeuc9m Of
Elections; AID that this abnse ought 10 be cor.
rected wherever il mag have been permitted 10
exist, and 10 be prevented for the future.
He Therefore directs that information be given
to all Officers aud Agents in your Department Of
the public service, that partisan interference in
J popular elections, whether Of State Officers OF
Officers O? this Government, and for whomsocyer
or against whomsoeyer it may be exercised, or
The payment Of any contribution or assessment
on salaries or official compensation for party or
election purposes, will lie regarded by him Is
cause Of removal
II is not intended that any Officer shall be re-
strained in the free and proper expression and
Elaiptelancs Of his opinion respecting public men
or public measures, or in the exercise TO the full
est degree, of the constitutional right Of suffrage.
But persons employed under the Government,
aud paid for their services out of the public Jrea-
sury, arr not expected Ia take an active part IN
attempts 10 influence the minds or votes of 9th.
ers such conduct being deemed inconsistent " ith
the spirit Of the Constitution and the duties Of
Public Agents acting under it and the President
while the exercise OF the elective franchise By
the People shall DO free from undue influences Of
official station and authority, opinion shall also
be FREQ among the Officers aud Agents Of the
Government.
The President wishes il further to be announc.
cd and distinctly understood that from all col.
loctiHg and disbursing Officers, pronptitnde in
rendering accounts, and entire punctuality in
paying balances, will be vigorously exacted. In
his opinion Il is time to rrturn, in this respect,
70 the early practice of the Government, and to
hold any dogree Of delinquency on tho par. Of
those entrusted with the public money, just cause
Of immediate removal. He deems The severe OBJ.
Of this rule TO bo essential 10 the public
service, as every dollar lost to the Treasury by
uufaith.u!ness in Office creates necessity Tor
new charge upon the People.
| haYo the honor 10 be, sir, your oJedient SER
vent, DANIEL WEBSTER.
ISiniar letters have been addressed 10 oher
heads OF Departments
With pleasure we publish the above
from it, our readers will discover that the
officers Of the Government are no longer
to be the soryile and abject menials, that
bowed to the will and did the bidding Of
their superiors. All recolcct, that when
the Investigating Committee, appointed by
Congress, went from Washington to New
\ ork to examine into the situation Of the
Custom House accounts and affairs; they
drew forth TO the bright glare Of day,
mass OF gross corruption, and downright
and palpabc bribery. From testimony ia
ken IN that investigation, the facts were
proven, that the various Government ofi-
GERS We're required 70 pay from 4 TO 6 per
cent, Of their salaries to constitute fund
Tor bribery, and those who refused 10 pay,
were threatened with dismissal if shey per-
sisted in refusing to contribute. These
facts were known to Martin Van Buren,,
who, had he felt that regard for the repub.
lican institutions Of our country which was
eteraliy on his tongue, would have lmme-
diately dismissed men who could tamper
thus with the rights of suffrage and free
opinion; but this would not do; re knew
his power alone existed in the control of i
such men, and by their influence, he hoped I
to iaeten upon the people the fangs Of his
powers hat ah falacious hope to him
The people iathomsd his deep laid schemes,
and with a mighty exhibition of indigna-
ion thrust from over them, the Magician
and in his fall will expire the vampires,
which have exhausted the prosperity and
welfare OF this favored nation.