New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-23
THE sINEws OF THE CAMPAIGN.
WILL OFFICE-HOLDERs BE PERMITTED TO SUBSCRIBE
TOWARD ELECTION EXPENsEs-wHAT THE PRES
lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BuxE.l

TOWARD ELECTION EXPENsEs-wHAT THE PRES
IDENT SAYS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNE
WASHINGTON, April 22.-In organizing the Con-
grcssiOnal Republican Committee for work during
the Fall campaign one of the first questions which
has naturally presented itself has been how to raise
the funds to pay the necessary expenses.
In order to learn just what the Presidents position
on this question is. Representative Campbell, of
Pennsylvania, called at the White House recently,
and had conversation with the President. Mr..
Hayes listened to what he said about the plans of
the Republicans in Congress, and expressed his ap
prevail He said he felt keenly sensible of the i'm
portancc of the present years elections and hoped
they would result favoraby TO the Republican
party.
Mr. Campbell then remarked: Since you, Mr..
President sincerely interested in the
OF the Republican party, allow to ask you
whence we are to draw the sinews of war; Your
orders to the ofice-hoders of the country prevent
from drawing revenues for the prosecution of po
ltical campaigns from of the principal sources
upon which we have heretofore depended. We
think that those who fill the offices and receive
some of the pecunary returns from the ascendency
of the party should at least bear portion of the
burdens, and should contribute pecunlarily if
they do not give personal service during the con-
test"
Precisely So" said the President eve agree
there. The only difference between the Admin
istration and some other Republicans hither-
10 has been one of methods. The executive
order alluded to was designed to let faithful officers
understand that their first allegiance is TO the Gov
eminent and its interests, and not to parties. That
is now very generally understood, but as TO
tTbuting reasonable share out of their incomes to
meet the expenses of the campaign there can be no
objection to that. 1t cannot be demanded under
pain Of removal as hitherto; any officer may give OF
not as he pleases without affecting his tenure of
Office. l expect to contribute my proportion to the
campaign expenses, and there will be no objection
If others holding Office do the same. In fact
should be pleased if they would do So"
The President then alluded to his own experience
during campaigns in Ohio when he was chairman
Of county and State committees and told Mr.
Campbell how funds were raised to meet the ex-
penses of State campaigns. He said that he could
appreciate as we'll any one the necessity of funds
for the successful prosecution of political canvass
The President added: "And as to the personal par
teipation Of Federal officers in the campaign, there
can and win be objection TO this unless
they used to promote the personal interests of
certain individuals through the manipulation of the
patronage and the management of the party ma
ehinery. 0ce-holders ought not to interfere so as
to override the wishes of the people and subject
Republicans to the alternative Of voting for obnox
ious candidates or submitting to party defeats.
The order forbidding officers of the Gov
eminent to participate in this sort of
thing viii be vigorously enforced, but after
the candidates are fairly In the field without
tae aid Of conventions packed with ofice-holders
acting at the beck Of the dominant clone of poiti
clans, there will be no objection II Federal Office
holders do their share of the work 60 long az IL does
not interfere with their official duties.D
General Campbell has reported this interview TO