The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-15
T.tMoriyY's ELECTION EXPENSES.


circular from the Tammany General
Committee calling for subscriptions toward the
expenses Of the election reached the clerks OF
the Police Department last week The language
OF the circular was unmstakable, although not
mandatory. In every instance the amount ex-
pectcd wns written in plain figures and was
usually about two per cent Of salaries under
$4,000 and two and II half per cent Of those of
that amount and over. All the clerks were re-
membercd. and even those who owe their ap-
pontmcnt ~ Republican or ntl-Tammany
influence received the invitation. Two DAYS
later Ir John n. Newman. the Wiskinkie Of
the Tammany Society md collector for tho
General Committee. visited tho clerks and
blandy inquired whether it was convenient to
let him have tho amount Of their subscription.
Although II was early IN the month. the clerks
declared. with surprising una9inity. that they
all d sturled. but smiled pleasantly and said he
A 81 500 clerk who had been nssessoi $50
took his note to Commissioner Erbardt. and the
Commissioner prepared the following letter:
cosassiostns ,oyrcE. Potter nrr.rIsrSI or Turl
Tnr Hoy Icus KrLir--,ir a clerk IN This department
has handed to me circular from YOU and Others de-
n'ndinc rom him contribution OF $40 as 1amniany
am goTnSd ha the s%gl9ysc; # MI asGsT@ 9srN;
you and this circular letter has been followed nv per
sonai demand from Mr John u newman, your collector
the police force. and the good government
are more seriously affected nv action than Is
tlc slender salary which YOU assess
lhaNr No oifcid authority over the political action NJ
my suhord nates dr-sre nonnbut protest against tho
assertion that they allegiance to any party by virtue
ui Office m this department.
The police have almost absolute control the
duct o, elections Th"v charged with the enforce
nert Of law In a CITY whcrn influential politicians
| .of m. law
This department hns In the ~ the CITY about
2hi' men, at an annual expense ~ - NJ. 20
These men are constantly looking Tor promotion pref
eirnce IN agreeable dufN or other ufical advantage
To secure these benz hts th"N must IS unon fidelity
ant mefiforuus service. upon political influence ana
nNor IN. efficiency NJ the department requires that
they Should rely upon the former
Tho present Commissioners. without distinction Of
party have lahorcd 10 induce them In 30 but
sioncrs choose 10 tread IN the from which has
s0ntng to the rcc that rartisan allegiance be- the
price o. Official pre-, rment The practice Of requiring
t"." political contributions, II persisted IN. will be fatal
70 IN discipline the morale. and the efficiency OF the
Police D"p-rtn,n t
u our recent history repeats itself and knaves
AMI scoundrgs mud II ngain the CORD
No.rs NJ good men by fraud and will be due
nv small measure To- the fact that committee lacked
either strength inc inauon To forcgo vicious
tee which for The sake u political control corrupt md
weakens that branch ut public service that shonli pre-
~r'c Tue purity 81 the halluhcN. public morality, and
respcctio law Very respectfully ynurS
Jort II tHu.Rpr
Chairman Committee on Rules ana Discipline.