The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-05-03
TALK WITH THE PREsH-
DENT.
What He Has to say About Political
Campaigns.
Snacinl To a-narnncraf

What He Has to say About Political
Campaigns.
special to Globe-Democrat.
WASHINGTON, April % 1t was in
timated in these dispatches some days
ago that the members of the Republi-
can Congressional Committee were
perplexed on the subject of raising
funds for the coming political cam
paign, in view of the commonly ac-
cepted position of the President on the
relations of office-holders to politics.
Gen. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, mem
Der of the Congressional Committee,
anxious to ascertain definitely and
directly what the Presidents opinions
actually were, aud what might be ex-
pected in the event of the committee
undertaking to adopt the course pur-
sued under the old regime,
HE CALLED UPON THE PRESIDENT.
He introduced his conversation by a
general reference to the approach of
the campaign, and of the Importance
of an increased representation in Con-
gress in order to renew the Republican
ascendancy in the House, and especial
ly as an Offset to Democratic control
in the Senate,and as an important check
upon any high-han led proceedings
which might be undertaken by the
Democrats in a closely contested Presi
Dental election in 1880. The Presi-
dent listened with the greatest interest,
frequently interfering observations of
approval and inquiry. He remarked
he felt
SENSIBLE OF THE IMPORTANCE
of the present years elections, and
hoped they would realize the hopes
and expectations of himself and all
other Republicans. Finding this an
excellent opportunity, Gen. Campbell
interiected, "being interested in the
success of the Republican party, might
l ask from whence are we to draw the
sinews of war. Your orders to the
officers of the Government preclude
revenues from that source. We con-
slider that those who fill the offices and
realize some peeuniary returns from
the ascendancy of the party, should at
least bear portion of the burdens,
pecuniarily, if not personally of the
contest? ' The President said
''PREcIsELY; WE AGREE THERE.
The only difference hitherto has been
of methods. The executive order al
luded to was designed to let faithful
legiance was to the Government and
\ its interests, and not to parties and
| persons. I believe this is now very
| generally understood. But so far as
contributing a reasonable share OF their
incomes to meet the expenses of the
campaign, there can be no reasonable
objection to that; but it can not be de-
man0ed under threat of removal, as
hitherto. An officer can give or not,
as he pleases, without affecting his
tenure of office for or against him.
EXPECT TO CONTRIBUTE
my proportion to the campaign ex-
penses, and there will be no objection
to others in Office doing likewise; in
fact, l should be pleased if they were
to do So" The President then allud-
ed to his own campaign experience,
when he was chairman of the county,
and state committees in Ohio, remark
ing that he could appreciate as we'll as
any one the necessity of funds tor the
imperative needs of a political cam
paign. The President added, Gas to
the participation of officials in the cam
paign there can be and will be no OBJ
| lection to this, unless they are being
used to further the
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
who, by party machinery and their
hold on its manipulation, override the
wishes of the people, and subject Re
| publicans to the alternative of voting
for obnoxious candidates or submit
ting to party defeat. The order apply
ing to officers OF the Government in
this sense will be vigorously enforced
but after the candidates are fairly ia
the field, without the aid of conTen-
tions packed with Office-holders acting
at the beck of dominant clique Of
politicians, there will be no objections
to officers giving their share, so long al
it does not interfere with their official
duties, in the
FIELD WORK OF THE CAMPAIGN,
the same as any other citizen" Gen
Campbell stated tonight that he now
felt quite easy In mind both as to the
funds and services; that the Presi6en
appreciated the situation thoroughly
and without coming in conflict will
his position as to the relations between
officials and politics. would give thu
campaign his moral and individual
support. Gen. Campbell thinks tina
the President has been much mis-
understood, and now sees no reason
whatever to be dissatisfied with hi
course. He thinks that the RepublI
cans, of all ways of thinking, shoult
abandon their attacks upon the Presi
dent and turn them upon the Demo
Gratis, where they will do most good.
THoMPsoN's TALK.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. April A.-Th
. Indianapolis News published an inter
view with Secretary Thompson, who
in the city, relative to dispatch iron
; Washington published in the st. Loui
, Globe-Democrat yesterday, iii which
is stated that in q conversation be
tween Mr.. Campbell, of Pennsylvania
and the President, the latter said tia
, there could be no reasonable objecsio
to officers in the civil service cOntribu
ting a reasonable share of their incom
4 to campaign purposes that he woul
be pleased to have them do so, and ths
the President himself expected to COZ
!. tribute his proportion. Secretar
8 Thompson declined to say anythin
IS that would appear like a statement {
v the Presidents views, but thought til
dispatch above alluded to gave q ia
); Interpretation of the efficeholder
order. The explanations are the san
as those given in Attorney-Gener
Devens' letter of last October. If
} man chooses to contribute his none
he can, and if he chooses not to,
can, and the President would sustai
8 any man in such refusal. Whatever
IS done clandestinely cannot be contro
is led, nor is the President supposed
}; be able to follow all the notifications
o the rule to the lowest clerk in any pa
j. of the country, but if any case of a
b tempted compulsion in the matter
"a contributions were brought to q
y Pres ident's notice he would susta
: that office-holder with ali the force
his power.
= With regard to his own proposed r
y signation the secretary said he kne
. nothing about It. He had got the nal
- department in a shape to suit him, al
q proposed to keep it so. When que
ID toned as TO the attempts of the Dem
in Gratis to raise the question of the Pre-.
he dents title, Secretary Thompson sal
ri SO, think there il no question the
ID TO raise. think the Democrats wa
a to get some official expression on
10 cord, SO as to use it tor campaign pU
I'M poses. / see nothing more that tn
a lean accomplish than that's" the ia
- of fraud in no way touches the Pre-
80 dents title. The question for the cor
10 decide would be, eWas there an ell
toral commission? Was it construed
Sc according to law, and did il perfol
ne its duties ?" There is no dispute