Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-10-09
Navy Yard Eicotionesrlng stopped.


WAsHISUroS, Oct, 3, 1855, 4
( SIR: Tho attention Of the Department has
been called to en- attempt recently made in
Philadelphia 10 assess or tax, for party pur-
poses, tho workmen in the Navy Yard. IL
Is claimed by those who have psrticipatodi 10
thess proceedings that the practice has pre-
vailed in former years at that and other navy
yards Of levying contributions Of this charac-
ter on mechanics and laborers employed by
the Government. -.-s-.-.....--4-..
Such an abuse cannot be permitted, and IL
is the object !of this communication TO pro-
hibit 1t wherever IL may be practiced.
From inquiries instituted by the Depart
ment on the complaint Of sundry workmen.
who represented that q committee had under
taken, through the agency Of the masters, to
collect from each of the employees In their
respective departments, sum equal to one
days labor for party purposes, 1t has been
ascertained that there had been received
from the workmen, before these proceedings
were arrested, the sum Of $l.O52. T.f
This and all other attempts to exaot money
from, laborcrs in the public service, either by
compuision or voluntary contribution, is, in
every point Of view, reprehensible, and Is
wholly and absolutely prohibited. Whatever
money may have been thus exaoted, and Is
now in the hands Of the masters, will be forth.
with returned to the workmen from whom IL
was received; and any master or other ap-
pointee Of this Department who may be
guilty o6a repetition Of this offence, or who
shall hereafter participate in lovying con-
tributions in the navy yards from persons in
the Government service for party purposes,
win incur tho displeasurs Of the Department
and render himself liable to removal. The
organization Of the yard must not be per-
verted to aid any party, Persons who desire
to make voluntary party contributions can
find opportunities to do so at ward or other
local political meetings, and on other occa-
sions than during working hours. They are
neither to be assisted nor opposed In this
matter by Government officials. l..a4
The navy-yards must not be prostituted to
any such purpose, nor will committeeman be
permitted to resort thither TO make collections
for any political partywhatever. Workingmen
and others in the service Of the Government
are expected and required to devote their
time and energies, during working hours and
while in the yard, to the labor which they
are employed to execute. .. ..'
1t has been also represented that some Of
the masters at some Of the navy-yards en-
ploy extra hands preceding warmly contested
elections, and that much of the time Of
these superAuous hands is devoted TO party
electioneering. Such an abuse, ifit exist in
any department Of any of the nayy-yards,
must be corrected. No more persons should
be retained in the navy yards than the public
service actually requires. Party gatherings
and party discussions are at all times to
be avoided within the yards. 1t will be the
duty Of the commandants of the respective
yards, and Of all officers, to see that this or.
der is obeyed. Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLEs, Sec'y of the Navy.