Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-30
THE PRESIDENT AND THE PARTY.


didate, but Mcclellan, and his possibilities
are not above the Vice Presidency.
- --.--.---------------
THE PRESIDENT AND THE PARTY.
Representative Campbell, Of the Republic
cas, Congressional Committee at the White
HoMse-Funds for the Political Campaign
---Hosc to Ratse Thens-TAe President
E1platss HIS Civil-SerUice Order.
Washington Star, April "a.
A serious point of perple1ity in the minds
OF the Republican Congressional committee
has been the subject of raising the funds
necessary to meet the expenses attendant up
on running the coming political campaign,
in view of the commonly accepted position
of the President on the relations of the of
fee holders to politics. General Campbell,
the Pennsylvania member of the Congress
sianal committee, anxious to ascertain def
nitely and directly for his own information
and that of the committee, what the Presi-
dents opinions actually were, and what might
be expected in the event of the committee
undertaking to adopt the course pursued
under the old regime, called upon the Presi-
dent. He introduced his conversation by q
general reference to the approach of the
campaign, and of the importance of
an increased representation in Con-
ascendency in the House, specially as an off
set to the Democratic control in the Senate,
and as an important check upon any high
handed proceeding which might be under
taken by the Democrats in closely contested
Presidential election in 1880. The President
listened with deep interest, frequently inter-
jecting observations of approval and in
quiry. He remarked that he felt keenly
sensible of the importance of the present
years elections, and hoped that in their re-
suits they would meet the hopes and ex-
pectations of himself and all other Repub-
licans. Finding this an excellent opportu-
nifty, General Campbell interjected, "Being
80 sincerely interested in the success of the
Republican party might I 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
consider that those who fill the Offices and
realize some pecuniary returns from the
ascendency 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 one of
methods. The executive order alluded to
was designed to let faithful officers under
stand that their first allegiance was to the
government and it's interests, and not to
parties and persons. I believe this is now
being generally understood, but SO far as
subscribing reasonable share out of their
incomes to meet the expenses of the cam
paign, there can be no reasonable objection
to that; but it cannot be demanded 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 expenses. and there will be no OBJ
lection TO others in Office doing likewise; in
fact, I should be pleased if they were to do
so.' The President then alluded to his own
campaign experience when he was chairman
of county and State committees, and how
funds were raised for purposes of State
campaigns, remarking that he could appreci-
ate as well as any one the necessity of funds
| for the imperative needs of political cam
paign.
| The President added-ssAnd as to the par
ticipation of officials in the campaign. there
can be and will be no objection to this, mn
less they are being used to further the inter
ests of certain individuals who by party
machinery and their hold on it's manipula
tions override the wishes of the people anc
subject Republicans to the alternative O.
voting for obnoxious candidates or submit
ting to party defeats. The order applying
to oficerss Of the government in this sense
will be vigorously enforced, but after tn,
candidates are fairly in the field, without tn
aid of conventions packed with Office hold
ers acting at the beck of dominant cliqu
of politicians, there will be no objection t.
officers doing their share-so long as it doe
not interfere with their official duties-il
the field work of the campaign, the same a
any other Citizen
| Gen. Campbell stated tonight that he nov
felt quite easy in mind, both as to funds AM
services; that the President appreciated tn
situation thoroughly, and, without coming il
conflict with his position as to the relation
between officials and politics, would give tn
campaign his moral and individual support
Gen. Campbell thinks that the President ha
been much misunderstood, and now sees n
reason whatever to be dissatisfied with hi
course. He thinks the Republicans of al
ways of thinking should now abandon thei
attack upon the President and turn the1
upon the Democrats. where they will do mos
good.