The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-07
LEVYING FORCED LOANS.

Il
The difficulty, or We might say the impossi-
bli,y, of supporting daily newspaper in
Washington without Government patronage is
= truth of proverbial familiarity but we had
supposed that with such patronage a daily or
pan of the party in power might be rendered
not only feasible but profitable enterprise.
Il seems, however, that such journal cannot
live without some incidental support from the
nublic: and when an Administration ceases to
have the confidence of any party, its organ has
no resource but to levy contributions upon the
o6ceholders. The Washington States, sort
Of Ishmaelitsh Democratic journal, tells
ugly stories to this purport upon its more for
1unate rival, the Constitution. 1t SAYS:
Yesterday, in passing through the General
Post Office Department, we found an emssary
from the office of Brigadier General Bowman,
seemingly clothed with all the authority of off.
cia sanction, demanding, upon the highway
mans principle of Your money or your-of.
fee. that each and every clerk employed should
subscribe to levy of six dollars, Ostensibly as
years subscription to a weak, imbecile, and
Objectionable newspaper but for no other pur-
pose than to bolster up and sustain the fortunes
of one engaged in the publication Of paper so
devoid of interest, ability, and enterprise, that
il cannot command the appreciation and sup
port of the public; hence the efforts to sustain
It By a resort to a species of despotism as gall
ins and as odious 10 any gentleman as any
thing that you can conceive of.
Gases exist where gentlemen employed
have been greatly embarrassed in their pecuni-
ary affairs by Providential arrangement, over
which they have no control, and are compelled
to submit to this forced contribution from the
apprehension of removal from office.
+" In some instances, gentlemen, who have
been struggling to obtain an humble and unob-
uusiye home for their families, and have neces.
sarily contracted some pecuniary liability, have
been compelled to take that amount which they
had intended to pay the interest upon their OBJ
legations. and put ii in the hands of a man who
conducts journal that not very long since
characterized them as miserable scavengers.
Ihey and their families are compelled 10 forego
the perusal of any of the cheap and interesting
family newspapers of the day, so as to feed a
hungry journal which they will not peruse."
Again the States says:
I'VE understand that the State Department
was placed under siege yesterday by Brigadier
General George Washington Bowman, and a
tax levied upon each clerk to the amount of
SIX dollars, as necessary supplies for his militia
TT chest. One rebellous clerk refused to sub.
nit TO the decree of Gen. Bowman. The act
ny commssary in behalf of the Brigader, it is
stated, was the disbursng clerk OF the State
Department.
i" 1t is contended that if the salaries of the
clerks will admit of deduction of six dollars
10 carry on the Constitution, that Congress will
be justified in making a reduction of that
amount from their salaries. Economy is the
order of the day, and the amount could be more
Justly applied to meet the expenses of the Gov
eminent than be devoted to advancing the pri
yate fortunes of a single individual
correspondent of the States says:
{" The Forced .SabSc5TptiOns.-Edi States
! admire the boldness of your comment.
upon the expose of Democrat In you
columns of yesterday. Every statement il
that communication is true to the letter, anC
the enormity and nauseating attendant circum
stances were not all told. | have vet to fine
the first man who does not denounce the dam
nable imposition. am satisfied that it will re
ceye, as ii merits, universal condemnation.
A SIX DOLLAR CoNlRIBUT0R.'
Again:
Il Hei"y 10 me COHSfHWOH'--lh ne iacC
stated in a communication which appeared il
the States yesterday, signed Democrat not
outstanding the indignant denial of the Con
gtiiutioa this morning, are, as We have been as
sured by many Of the gentlemen of the Depart
ments who were the victims of the abuse, il
the main true.
Ave cannot regard, with the Constitution
the movement in the light Of a voluntary sub
scripiion. We are informed the name Of eacl
official was copied from the Blue Book on ;
list Of subscribers to the Constitution, the In
tended victim was significantly pointed to hi
name, and then the purpose was suggested. |
he refused his name was marked out and M
doubt serves as a subject for the indignant con
temptation of the savage proprletOrs of tn
Constitution" II