, 1873-09-10
COLLECTOR HARPER'B REspoNg1Bu1rY

We commented yesterday upon tho trouble
Into which Postmaster Fllloy, OF St. Louia, has
fallon by reason Of assessments levied upon his
clorks and catTiors to reimburse himBolf for OK
penaea incurred, as he says, in entertaining the
President. Now it appoars that tho origin Of
Collector Harpor'a embarrassmonts, which lod
to hts subsequent dofalcationB, must also bo ro-
ferred to the assessment Byatom. Tho differ
onco botweou tho two caBeB Ia, that while tile st.
Louis Postmaster 1oyicd his assessment to coyor
tho expenses Of tho personal entertainment OF
tue President, tho Springfield Collector
loVied his in tho frat instance to holp
olcct tho regular ticket; and that wli1e
the former levied upon tho salaries Of his en-
ployeB, tho latter 1ovied directly upon tho Gov.
orn1nont funds. Thoro is still another differ
ence,-that while tho Postmastor'a loyy was
optional, tho Collectors was compulsory.
30 long as this aaBossmont syhtem ia recog-
nized as legitimate. and il not regarded as yio-
lation OF tho Civ1l-Servico syBtom, 1t Ia nice
question to determine tho exact measure Of Mr.
Harpor's guilt. perhaps 1t ia this very dolicacy
which has induced the Deputy Commissioner
Of informal Rovonuo to adopt tho Star
Chamber Btyle Of Investigation. From all ao-
counts, Mr. Harper was as honest as mon aver
age, and that he was Of m uususpecting md
accommodating disposition is shown by tic fact
that he gave credit to tho Peoria diatillora for
tho stamps Furnished thom, instead Of demand
Ing cash aa he should. That he preferred to DO
honest fs alao shown by tho desperate efforts
which ho made through sudden sprculations to
restore tho dc1cit in his accounts. There
is nttlo doubt therefore, that when he
made his contribution to tho olec-
tion fund ho thought ho could replace
tho amount. But, as has often boon tho case,
thia first embarrassment only paved tho way for
subsequent ones, which led to his ultimate dis
grace. If, howoYer, political Offices are mattors
Of bargain and sale; II it ia expected that tho
minor of1ce-lolder shall contribute to the
maintenance Of tho party which gayo him tho
Office; and il It is demanded that the candidate
for office shall pledge himself, either tacit1y or
by agreement, to such an arrangement, thon hi.
Harpor's responsibility is narrowed. To put tho
matter on still broader ground, II tho Admin
istration has the right to domand that o certain
percentage Of tue funds due to Government en-
ployes shall bo act apart for campaign purposes,
Us is done In every general election or, ii it has
the right to employ public money directly in an
election, like that in North Carolina last fall,
Wherein has Mr. Harpor doue wrong in applying
public funds to election purposos2 II the Pres-
idont Of tho United States can put bis hands
In tho Public Treasury aud tako out $75, 900 to
pay tor lot Of campaign documents, as was
dono lust year, without mourning any direct
penalty, why should bIr. Harpor be punished for
putting his hands into the Public Treasury and
taking funds to holp elect the ticket7
We have no disposition to shield Mr Harper
from the consequences Of his breach Of trust.
But 1t Justice is to bo done, why
nos go to the tountain-haad? Is not tho
system as much to blame az A1r. Harper? As
long as the enforcement Of tho Civil Service is
moro question Of personal advantage, md az long
aa the assoasment systom is recognized and
sanctioned by party policy 1t ia cortan that some
oflice-holdera will turn dofauters and that gonae
public men will botray their trusts. Why not
therefore stop dofalcation by stopping enc Of its
cs1sos An ounce of prevention is worth o
pound OF cure.