Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-26

Goods and ch.ttes, and they may contribute voluna-
@,v "a much as they please out of any funds they
have The edict is only against the "payment o. any
,o,rbut;oo or assessment salaries official c0mpen
saton."
Tie country must perceive what mockery this
% coming from a party which has laid individuals
and corooratons in the old and new world under con-
tribution TO effect its ends and having accomplished
it aud while rewarding the contributors with salaries
for their outlay in bringing them into power, they are
told, will not assess your "saiares or ohc'al com
pensatons" in the coming campaign! What vlrtuous'
honest men! Why did they not put their nterdict on
any man who had used money to purchase votes, ana
prostitute men TO commit perJnres to vote over and
over again, where they had no right to vote at all:
This might have reached tile contributors 10 the Geht-
worth fund.- and excluded all those worthless who are
brought in to supply the places OF such men as MI
Morgan, and the honest officers who were occupied
with their official trusts in this city, while those who
supplant them were busted in all the active knayery
by which the late election was disgraced.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
March 90 lo4l !
To the Hon. Thomas E,oing,
Secretary Of the Treasury:
Sir-The President is OF opinion that IT IS great
abuse TO bring the patronage OF the General Govern
ment into conflict with the freedom of elections; and
that this abuse ought be corrected wherever 1t may
have been permitted TO exist and 10 be prevented Tor
the future :,
He therefore directs that information Oe gwen 10 al
officers and agents in your Department of the public
service that parZan interference IN popular elections,
whether of State officers officers OF Tins Government
and for whomsoeve against whomsoever u may De
exercised or the payment OF any contribution OF as
sesspent on salaries official compensation Tor party
or election purposes will be regarded by him as cause
of removal.
II is not intended that any officer shall be restrained
in the free and proper expression and maintenance oil
his onnons respecting public men or public measures,
or in the exercise to the fullest degree, OF Inc cohs',u
,ional right of suffrage But persons employed unuer
the Government and paid for their services out OF 'e
nnblc Treasury are expected to take an active OF
o,s mari in attempts 10 influence the minds votes
~ snch conduct being deemed inconsistent with
~ ;r, nc The Constitution and the duties OF public
aenis acting under il; and the President is resolved,
far Ms depends upon him, that while the exercise oil
the elective franchise by the people shall De Tree from
undue influences of official station and authority, OPP.
MON shall also be free among the officers and agents oil
the Government
The President wishes it further to be announced and
d;s,nctlv understood that from all collecting and dis.
bursting officers prompttude in rendering accounts, and
entire punctuaty in paying balances, Will be rigorous
10 exocted In his opinion, it is time TO return, in this
resnect 10 the early practice of the Government and to
hold any degree of delinquency on the part of those en-
trusted with the public money just cause OF immediate
removal lie deems the severe observance OF tins rule to
be essential to the public service every dollar lost to
the Treasury, by unfahnness in Office, creates ne
cessity for new charge upon the people
have the honor to be, sir, your obedent servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
TSimar letters have been addressed to other heads
of Departments.