The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-01-28
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The Latest Phase of 'IntimidatiOn."

AAOIVANA4NN OAAV ~ OAAAo
The Latest Phase of ''Intimidation.'
That was very clever and stunning hit
which Mr.. Schurz gave the administration
politicians when in his able speech on Louisi-
ana in the United States Senate, he said: II
cannot forget that, as to the discharge of labor
ers from employment for. political cause, q most
seductive and demoralizing example is set by
the highest authority in the land. " 49,
Mr.. Schnrz; was speaking Of colored men be-
ing discharged by democratic employers for
voting the Republican ticket He said frankly
that this practice undoubtedly existed in the
Southern States to some. extent. But he re-,
minded the Senate that the Democrats were not
the only persons who 'intimidated" voters in
this way. He mentioned case which occurred
under his own eyes in North Carolina, in 1872,
where colored man was cruelty dubbed be-.
cause he had taken sides with the Democrats.
The inference was obvious that so far as this
particular kind of Intimidation" is concerned,
and so far as opportunity offers, neither the
Southern Democrats nor the Southern Repub-
licans are free from offence. The politician of
each class uses all the power he possesses to
Control" votes. And why not, when "a most
seductive and demoralizing example is set by
the highest authority in the land? Pursuing
the same thought, II have always condemned"
said Mr. Schurz, 'every species of intimidation
interfering with the freedom of polical action,
and therefore I am for genuine civil SER
vice reform. But while your national gov
eminent (he was speaking especially to the
Administration Senators) is the champion in
timidator in the land, you must not be sur
prised if partisans on all sides profit from it's
teachings nor do think that the intimidation
which deters colored man from voting with
the opposition is less detestable or less harmful
to him than that wi hich threatens him as Re
publican" Mr.. Schurzs singing words will
undoubtedly make a smart in the White House
The President will discern in them new evi-
dence that generally the support which the
civil service reform receives is from those who
give it their support only to find fault when
the rules are apparently departed from"
About the time the great Missouri Senator
was speaking orders were issued in Washington
that the advertisements of the Federal Govern
ment should be given to those journals alone
which sustain the Administration through
"thick and thin" This, it will be seen, is an
even more striking piece of intimidation"
than that which was referred to by Mr.. Schurz.
1t is the same thing in effect, for it is an at
tempt to control the opinions of the press
through its, advertising department. The
Democrat in Louisiana discharges his colored
body servant, his porter or his field hand, be-
cause the latter votes the Kellogg Republican
ticket. The Federal Administration withdraws
its advertisements from certain journals because
ference to the favor of the men who, for the
The Louisiana democrat goes upon the theory
that he not only has the right to direct the acts,
but to control the opinions of his servant. The
Federal Administration adopts the theory that
the: public journals which contain the govern
ment advertisements shall, courtier like, say
only what is pleasing to the ears of the dispen-
sers of these advertisements. The Louisiana
democrat makes no pretension to be in favor
of civil service REFORM but the Administration
does. Both agree in using business employ
ment as an aid in politics, with this difference,
that the citizens of Louisiana does it in re-
spect to his own private affairs over which he
has absolute control, whereas the Administra-
ton does it in respect to great public interests
which it holds in trust for the welfare of the
whole people.
Postmaster General jewell recently obtained
considerable praise for saying, in his official re-
port, that in the management of his depart
ment "the interests of the public shall be para
mount to those of any individual corporation
or party" He was praised for this because the
sentiment commends itself to the candid judg-
ment of all intelligent men. The Postoffce
Department does not exist for political purpo-
ses, but for business purposes. Its sole design
and legitimate work is to carry the mails, not
to meddle in politics. Sothe Treasury Depart
ment exists to carry on particular business,
which is not, in any partisan sense, political
and the same thing is true, with perhaps q
slight exception in favor Of the State Depart
ment, which deals with foreign affairs, ofeyery
department of the Federal Government 1t
follows from this that all the operations Of
these departments ought, to be conducted on
business principles and not in subjection to
partisan opinions or necessities. If the Post
office Department, for example, is required to
ADVERTISE the advertisements should be given
out, not with reference to the opinions of edi-
tors, but with reference to a Journals circu-
lation, the character Of its readers, and other
business characteristics which will suggest
themselves to any merchant. This is the way
"business" is conducted. "Politcs," it appears,
are conducted differently The administration
has decided to unite the two and hereafter to
conduct the business operations of the govern
ment so as, if possible, to "intimidate" the
press. Of course the attempt will be failure,
but it is pitiable nevertheess.-N. Y. Eren'ng
Post.
A SINGULAR HALLUCINATIoN.-T now
dwclls in New York CITY lady, who, in all re-