National Republican., 1878-08-31
POLITICAL coxrRIRUrr0xs.
A Reasonable view Of ths Practice.
10 tie Editor Of ne National RepvbticdH:

a Reasonable View Of the Practice.
7b tie Editor Of Ne National Rep~b'ieam:
sIR: Whenever the average Democratic cd.
itor scratches his head for an idea he touches
. tender spot, which takes the form Of an
assessment on officials for campaign purposes.
Aud then he howls and tells his ignorant read.
ers that Gorham goes through the Departments
with discharge paper in one hand and the
assessment list In the other, and imperatively
commands the luckless clerk TO chose. Of
course any Democratic editor knows that there
Is no compulsion about Il; but little lie like
that, we'll stuck 10, docs not In the least dis
turb whatever Of conscience may be left to him.
Democratic orators, too. make that q text, and
Senator voorhees, In all Of his campaign
speeches draws an especially narrowing picture
CT the clerks In Washington marching up 10
the captains office for involuntary settle
ments. Boil down all these complaints and
they resolve themselves into sour grapes"
That man must be an innocent indeed who
does not know from the past history Of the
Democracy that II that party was In power II
would not be request for contributions, as II
Is under Republican rule, but an absolute de-
mand. Such has always been tho policy Of
that party. As II Il, they are collecting
wherever they can, and they are only annoyed
because contributions Of the clerks do not go
into their Golfers.
But the object Of this communication was
mainly TO call the attention Of the employees
of the Government TO certain facts and con-
siderations. Many Of them take advantage Of
the fact that the contributions arc altogether
voluntary, and draw their purse strings
tightly. They thus make temporary saving;
but are they really doing themselves or their
country any goodH Campaigns cannot be con.
Quoted without funds, aud II 1t is not tho duty
| of those who benefit by the success Of q party
to contribute to its continuation In power,
whose duty Is II? The presumption is that
nearly all Of the employees u the Government
are Republicans aud desire the success Of the
| Republican party, becluse they believe II IA
be for the host interests Of the whole country
that It should continue In power. 1t Is there.
fore their duty to aid In the perpctuation Of
that power from motives Of patriotism.
But more than that. Each clerk has persona
interest In that perpetuation. HIS tenure o.
office depends upon II. He must be q simple
ton who imagines for moment that the Demo
crats will not make clean sweep IL such 9
misfortune should happen to the country a Il
place them again In power. Hungry horde,
would come up, especially from the South
clamorng for place. All their fine professioni
Of civil-service reform will be thrown to the
dogs, and their fne.spun theories of promotion
Of the worthy and meritorious will find n,
illustration In practice. The old idea, ITO th,
victors belong the spoils," will be carried out t,
its fullest extent, and It will no. be long be
fore new men will occupy all the old desks.
1t won't do then for any man TO make u sud
den somers,ult and pretend that he alway
sympathized with the Democracy. The fac
that he held an Office under Republican ad
minstration will be regarded rs p'inia faci
evidence Of his Republicanism, and the out
will demand his removal and will not tax,
nay" for an answer. :
Do the employees under a Republican sd
ministration want to aid by indirection II
bringing about that state of affairs? II.