Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-04-30

President Hayes Was interviewed, last
week, by Mr.. Campbell. OF Pennsy lvs0is,
Congressman from that State snl a
member OF the Republican National
Committee, concerning the Presidents
civil service order We give the asso-
ciated press report OF the interview:
Ga the coming campaign, the President
said that he teu keeuly sensible OF The
importance OF this years elections, aud
hoped they would result iavOraOiy % the
republican party.
Campbell remarks, since you are so
seriously interested IN the success OF the
republicans, allow me 20 ask you where
We are TO draw the sinewS Oi var. Your
orders 70 The Office holders OF The country
prevent as from drawing revenues Tor
the prosecution OF political campaigns,
from one OF the principal sources upon
which We have heretofore depended. We
think those who I'll Offices and receive
some OF the peCuai4ry returns tom the
ascendancy OF the party should az least
bear q potion OF the burdens, Snd should
contribute pecuniarily, II they 10 not give
personal service during Tie contest.
Precisely so" said the President
1--WE agree there. The only difference
between tie administration and some
other republicans, hitherto, has been one
ofmelhods. Tho executive order alluded
10, was done TO JET. the faithful officers
understand their first allegiance is %
government and It's interests, and not to
party.
Tia. is now very generally understood;
but as 20 contributing q reasonable share
OF their income 90 meet The expenses al
the campaign, there can be 20 objection
TO that. It cauDO. De demanded under
fear OF removal, as hitherto. An officer
may give or nos, as be pleaseS, without
affecting the tenure OF bis Cihce, 1 tN-
pect TO contribute my proportion TO the
campaign expenses. and there Will be no
objection il others holding office do The
same. Indeed. ! should be Pleased u
they would DO So
The President added. And IS TO per
sonal participation of Federal officers in
the campaign there can and will be no
objection to this unless they are used 20
promote the personal interest OF certain
individuals through the manipulation OF
the patronage ard Management, OF the
party machinery; and Office holders
ought not 10 Interfere SO as 20 oycu-ie
the wishes OF The people AID suojtc. re-
pub,icans 10 the alternative oi voting Tor
obnoxious candidates or submitting Co
party defeats.
The order t0ruIGcing au officer OF The
government participating 10 this sort Oi
thing viii ue vigorously enforced, bot
after candidates are fairly ~ ihe field
wilhcu. ,he slt OF conventions packed
with oflico-ho.ders acting a,thc advice OF
dominant clique of politicians, there
will be su objection u federal Office
holders g.. ,hcir share OF The work, 50
long IS il does not interfere with their
official duties"
The result OF this interview IS simply
TO nulliiy Mr.. Hayes notable order 20
government employees. lie says they
may contribute 90 campaign funds; they
may give personal service in the cam
paigu; bat they must not neglec, their
duties; nor shall they be ous.ed from
Office if they 90 Dot contribute Tbs, Is
all any republican csD ask for; 1t is al
any have demanded. l, has never been
the custom % this party 20 decapitaie
men for rot furnishing aid . campaigns;
in fact no such thing could be- done, IL cur
leaders chose Phose who obtain their
living from the government, through tho
Intervention OF party, should be willing
to all party work. and they have always
done so. cheeriuly. The idea that gov
eminent officials have controlled primary
meetings 10 The exclusion OF others, and
that official patronage hss dictated elec-
tions. j. disproved by fact. a very small.
portion OF Congressman are returned tor
three successive terms. The complexion
of the present House OF Representatives.
also, shows The idea 10 be erroneous. A
large Democratic majority has been re-
turned % Congress. without the aid Of
aDy patronage, and despite The al pow
erlU, efforts OF every governmental en-
plcyee. Active participation OF officials
is the only means by which the Repub-
lican party can be kept alive. We have
given office TO our best men. and We can
not afford 10 lose their help IN campaigns.
The prospect that they were to be de-
barred from performing political duties.
alone caused the opposition 10 Mr..
Hayes order. II it was simply supposed
that the order meant what the President
now says Il means, no one would have
have uttered pTOtesl-ior 1t means
nothing. Il was, IN the light Of this in
terview. q simple libel on the party, by
accusing IL OF encouraging men 10 DESERT
their posts OF duty and OF forcing funds
from unwilling hands. Neither OF these
charges IL true.