Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-02
Interference Of once-hoIden In Elections.

Interference OF Omco-holdcH IN E'ocsAoHs.
When that old soldier and patriot General
Harrison, was elected President OF the United
States, he decided at once to shape the course
of his administration after the precept and
practice Of that enlightened statesman and pa
triot Thomas Jefferson, and two weeks after
he was sworn into Office, he directed the Sscre-
tary of State TO issue the following circular
CIRCULAR.
DEPARTMENT or STATE, March 20, ls4l.
To tho Hon. Thos Eaoing, Secretary Of 7reasury
SrR: The President Is Of opinion that II Ia great
abuse TO bring the patronage OF the General Gov
eminent into conflict with the freedom of cleo
lions and that this abuse ought to be corrected
wherever 1t may have been permitted TO exist, and
to he prevented for the future.
He therefore directs that information be given
to all officers and agents In your departments Of
the public service, that partisan Interference In
popular elections, whether of State officers, or
officers OF this Government, and for whomsoever
or against whomsoever II may be exercised, or
the payment Of any contribution or assessment
on salaries or official comper sation for party or
election purposes, win be regarded BY him 40 cause
Of removal.
Il i not Intended that any officer shall be re-
strained In the free and proper expression and
or public measures or In the exercise to the full
est degree Of the constitutional right of suffrage.
But persons employed under the government, and
paid for their services out of the public Treasury,
are not expected to take an active or ofcous part
In attempts to influence the minds or votes of
others; such conduct being deemed Inconsistent
with the spirit of the constitution and the duties
of public agents acting under III and the President
Is resolved, so far as depends upon hiR, that while
- Al IA frou hv tbn
ple shall be free from undue influences of official
station ard authority, opinion shall also be free
among tho officers and agents Of the government.
The President wishes II further to be announced,
and distinctly understood, that from all collecting
and disbursng officers promptitude in rendering
accounts and entire punctuaty in paying balances,
viii be vigorously e1acted. In his opinion, 1t Is
time to return, In this respect to the early prac-
tice Of the Government, and to hold any degree Of
delinquency on the part of those intrusted with
the public moi ey just cause Of immediate removal.
He deems the severe observance Of this rule to be
essential to the public service, as every dollar lost
TO the Treasury by unfaihfuness in Office, creates
q necessity for new charge upon the people.
have the honor to be, sir, your obt serv't,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
Mark the words of the illustrious WEBSTER,
in giving utterance to the sentiments of the
noble and patriotic Harrison:
"Persons employed under the government, and
paid for their services out Of the public treasury,
are not expected to take active or ocions part in
attempts to influence the minds or votes OF others
The present Executive, during the contest of
1852, frequently expressed the greatest admi-
ration of Daniel Webster How can ne recon-
cile his opinions, then expressed, with the
direct and unblushing violation of the above
official order Of Daniel Webster, now practised
by his own immediate subordinates in this
cityf The heads Of the Departments here have
issued express orders to tho clerks to present
themselves at the polls and vote an open ballot,
that their votes may be recorded either for or
against them, as the case may be- So outra-
geous and unjustifablo violation of the right
of suffrage was never dreamed of by General
Harrison or Mr.. Webster, when the order of
1sl1 was promulgated. No administration,
from 1889, had presumed to force the employ
ees Of government in this city to vote contrary
TO the dictates Of their own consciences. But
abuses Of another character had existed, and
these abuses the patriotic administration Of
Harrison determined to correct. Hence the
of the official order above pub
lished.
Citizens Of Washington, whether in or out
Of Office, win you be influenced by the dicta-
ton of the present administration, unscrupu-
lous, proscriptive, and despotic as 1t openly
avows itself to be; or by the advice Of William
Henry Harrison and Daniel Wcbsterf We
cannot doubt what your answer will be. You
will rally on naasse to tho support Of the Amer
lean ticket, and vote boldly and fearlessly for
the candidates you prefer.