The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-02
Insinuating Demands from the Republl-
can Congressional Committee.
CONTRIBUTIONS NOT DESPISED.
How Federal Officials and SubOrdinatcs Re-
gard Their Notifications.
WHERE Is CIVIL SERVICE REFORM :?

IL yesterday the fortune Of all nearly all the
employees CT the federal government, throughout tho
city receive many little notes as Usually como
20 young ladies' the full flush OF Valentine season.
These biIlcs did not however contain the Same ten
der epistolary matter. No amorous phrases apt
quotations borrowed from the poets smoothed over
tho rough purpose OF their demands, md as they
bore q the Washington postmnrk and . certnn
rigid appearance OF ofIcalism they can hardly be
supposed to have been welcome cpistles. Al all
events late yesterday evening lumber Of them, ad-
dressed 10 employees in the Post ONCE remained
unopened, just as IL the persons for whom
they intended bad proposed treating them like
the tailor's bill which II proposed TO lay the
table and read that day six months These young
mon, or old as the might be, had boon the rc
cp,ents OF such documents before and now they
rather feared tho Greeks and were shy Of meddug
with such matters
THE IMPORTANT MIssivE.
The document which excited their apprehension,
perhaps in evoked their patriotism
headed headquarters OF the Republican Congress
siopal Conn ittce, and borc date "Washington, ID.
c., May %, 1873" 1t Informed the party to whom
IL was addressed that the committee charged
with laboring for the OF the republican
campaign for election oil members OF Congress
called with confidence upon him as republican
for such contribution in money as he might feel
than 3. Here the most careful knowledge
OF the income Of tho person addressed and the most
tender consideration for his ability 10 contribute
wore manifested, and the sum mentioned was graded
accordingly. 1t varied up to S24, representing a
salary OF $4,000 basis Of per cont, but when
the salaries OF larger grade reached all was left
to the generosity and patriotic feelings oil the donors
1t was, however, urged argument OF weight
with such republicans as happened TO DO in federal
p,plo hath mid In in oni.
, clal quarter to sucn voluntary contribution.
1t might BIO question, however. whether tho
contribution asked could be considered volun tary
in the spirit OF the civil service order iorbdding any
government employs TO take an active part
IN politics, especially when the blank space
filed up by figure which invariably reached up
to the higher grades Of salaries by
per cent calculation. Some people had the hardi.
hood to call this ment, and to declare
It TO be In violation OF tho civil
service order, and far he Post ONCE concerned,
direct conravenion OF the circular issued last
OF any for political purposes by the
employees OF the department..
TAKING TINE BIZ THE PoRELocK.
The early issuance the circular also called for
comment. but tho action taken in this resrect
readily explained on tho assumption that the National
Committee Is anxousto get its assessments or 'volun-
tary Contributions" II euphcmism be preferred
be tore the state Committee makes application
the federal EN- ployes TO give weight 70 the appeal
tor funds to carry on the republican campaign The
circular urges tho importance OIL the penulbg
exaggerated Ii comedies that 1t Is very
s PC democratic s''n alter the s,a March,
1872 aud represents that in this view the election Of
democratic House of Representatives would precp-
tate upon the country dangerous asi,ations Which
would add 10 present distresses Everything having
been urged that could give emphasis 10 the sppl'ca-
lion prompt and favorable response was solicited.
VIEWS INTERESTED PEorLs
1t WIS not TO be expected that the hgh officials and
She heads Of federal departments would nave much 10
say The subject OF this circular. Oficial
. dignity always stands alocf from statements and
OF the serene responsibility which
brcathes the atmosphere OF comfortable quarters.
Yet they were not by any means unapproachable,
and the case Postmaster James, al all events,
there was no difficulty IN obtaining his views.
officials OF subordinate positions were little inclined
risks were greater tney did no. talk by the card
A HERALD reporter visited many oil them yesterday,
ana also spoke win several o, the and file Of
employees on the subject Of the circular. and their
hAIngs and dislkings reference TO this demand Tor
contributions Their views were nearly always moro
less gustdediy stated. sometime negative and
now aud again leaned ii,,lc thus way or That
COLLECTOR ARTHUR EEricESr.
The reporter first called Collector Arthur, to
whom he shown without any Decay. The Col
Iccior appeared to be IN n frank and communicative
mood, but the mere mention OF the Gorham circular
(Gcorae O. Gorhan Is the secretary who signs Tho
document by order OF the committee) drove HIM back
upon his and uLon the Official dignity OF hts
posiuon. lie REPLIED however, IN all courtesy TO tho
importunng of tho reporter.
views concerning tho Gorham circuar--the circular
issued by the Republican Congrcs slouai Committee
can campaign "
Collector ARTHUR tsmiog)--I have Vows to cx-
press Gu the subject Beng official you Will
that would not be proper 70 MAKE any Hstefncnt
REroRTEE-rne circular informs those republIoaos
who happen to be IA rdcrnl employ that there viii bc
no Official objection IN any quarter to their making
Bucb voluntary contributions as they may deem IT,
May ask Il you would favor such contributions or
assessments?
TO this query Collector Arthur again courtcously
Piled that he did not wish TO make any statement.
That while II he outsd" politician he might be
willing 10 do so. he did not thins II In consonancc
with the dignity OF his Official position TO express bis
views.
Finally said the reporter. "Have you seen The circu
..No.r replied Collector Arthur, al have but re-
cenil come from the country and have not yet seen
..And you do not wish TO say anything about It's
content winch have mentioned to youy"
I'll 90 not. - THIS ended The interview.
POSTMASTER JAaEs SPANS
The reporter next sought Postmaster James who at
once that he had received copy OF the circular.
"w you be good enough TO state your views con-
ANY views are very well known the subject
rhcy ,nc same as cxprcssed 10 tho circular which
issued year TO the employees Of tho post Offices.
nm utterly opposed TO political assessments OF any
kind.n
within your obIect,0nYf
III an employee does his here aud gets his
money chooses to spcud any way he pleases out
sac the department, can have no jurisdiction over
him, but my views are strict that 10 assessments
snail be cot, ctod here. There Is no change IN our
position IN this respect last year" said POST
mnscr james, turning to one OF tho higher clerks of
his Uillce
'.Not al all T" taid the latter: "tho orders to pay
assessments gwen 10 all she fupcrintendcnis TO
nc comnur icatcd to the clerks. One clerk made an
inquiry the srbcc AMI no was tod that he might
contribute to the democrats or republicans, or both II
h. chOsa
Then Postmaster reiterated 10 the reporter that
hsv-ws had UNDERGONE alteration In this respect
Hcwa IN favor 81 civil service which would make
admission TO the lowest grade, and promotion from
that grade Tor merit, and Tor merit alone, ana whch
would only permit renovation cause.
The reporter then rcierrcu 10 mat portion oil the
circular which stated that 10 onisisl objection
woui be m tde TO federal employees contributing ~
they ight think nt, and rked II he had received
any iutimation that II would DO desirable TO favor
sucu conirtbul ions. lie replied that he had not.
The circular which Postmaster James himself had
received did contain any specified amount. as was
lou nd 10 be the case all the higher grades Of sala
RES as to the minimum which he would bc expected
to subscribe.
. suponDsArg oRrIcfALs