The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-24
Black Mail.

We understand that the whig managers in this city
have been levyng black mail the clerks in the depart
ments, in order raise funds TO circulate abolition at.
tacks on General Scott in the North and new Boston
bels through the South and fraudulent circulars where
ever they may serve the ends OF the Scott party We
informed that the thumbscrews applied TO the
clerks after the following manner: Notes written
Letting the pleasure OF interview at certain drygoods
establishment the avenue, and directed TO the clerks
in the different departments. The recipients Of these
accord the interview of course when they told
that their salaries were given by the wing party, and that
the managers expect them contribute from them in order
to sustain the party True, times hard and the great
increase the cost Of living has reduced many Of the
clerks to hard Shifts and forced them appeal Con-
gress for increased pay bu, still the wing ship is becam
ed, and the current is carrying rapidly the rocks
and the wind must be raised" ii will be total
wreck.
When the wing party came into power 10 ls4i, Mr.
Webster issued circular to the heads Of department de-
nouncng the interference OF oce-hoders in elections
Afterwards commission was instituted to inquire into
the conduct Of persons employed the public buildings
in this city with reference 10 their connexion with cleo
pioneering movements. The intention to punish any
interference by democratic clerks and contractors in
the election OF 1910, and make for appoint
men,s from the active wing politicians Daring the las,
Congress Mr. Slanly, OF North Carolina-the same Mr..
Stanly whose appears in Scott documents and
Scott crculars-rased an inqusorial committee TO as
certain what clerks had contributed money written
tices in the newspapers during the of 1s4s.
Now we find that the whg managers in thscy, through
the convenient agency OF mercantile firm, applying
the thumb 10 the clerks, in order TO obtain money
from the treasury TO enable them to war against the in
teress Of the people We would, therefore, call especial
attention to that portion of Mr.. Websters circular which
denounces such practices;
SR The President is OF opinion that Il Is great abuse
to bring patronage OF the general government into
ict with the freedom of elections, and that this abuse
ought 10 be corrected wherever may have been permit
ted to exist, and to DO prevented for the future.
He therefore directs that information bo given al
officers your department OF the public service that pa
san In popular elections whether of State Of
6ce officers Of this government, and for whomsoever
OF against wbomsoever 1t may be exercised, the pay
nent Of any contribution salaries Of
fetal pensaon for party election purposes will be
regarded by him as q cause of removal
al" is intended that any officer shall be restrained In
the free proper expression and maintenance OF his
opinion, respecting public men pablo measures, or In
the exercise the fullest degree Of the constitutional
right OF suffrage But persons employed under the gov
ernmen and paid for their services OF tho public
ury expected 10 take active ocous part
attempts TO influence the minds votes OF others such
conduct being inconsistent with the spirit OF the conu-
ton aud the duties OF public agents acting under 1t and
the President resolved far depends upon him.
while the exercise Of the elective franchise by people
shall bs free from undue influences OF official and
authority opinion shall also be free among the officers and
agent, oftse government
DANIEL WEBSTER.