Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-05-01
The President Misunderstood.

AO = lOS4oSAb
Not long after President Hayes
went into Office the country fell into
a misunderstanding, or misinterpre
tation of his views as to the part
that Office holders shall take in elec
tions, and as to what they shall con-
tribute. The expressions Of the Pres
ident were construed to mean that no
Office holder should be allowed to
contribute to the payment OF lawful
expenses in conducting campaign
President Hayes was entirely misun-
derstood. he simply meant that no
Office holder should be forced into
electioneering. and the payment of
funds for lawful campaign purposes,
and that if an officer would not work
in a campaign Or pay for campaign
ING. be should not be removed be
cause of such failure, provided that
otherwise he filled the position faith
fully. On this question, an interview
between President Hayes and Gener-
al Campbell, the Pennsylvania mem
Der of the National Republican Con
eressional Committee, puts the Pres
ident before the country in q way
not TO be misunderstood The inter
view took place d few days ago. Al
ter listening patiently to what Gen
eral Campbell had to say relative to
the approaching campaign. the Pres
ident remarked that .'he felt keenly
sensible of the importance Of the
present years elections, and hoped
that in their results they would meet
the hopes and expectations OF him
self and all other Republicans. Find
ing this an excellent opportunity.
General Campbell interjected, Beng
sincerely interested in the success OF
the Republican party, might L ask
from whence are we to draw the 81
news of war Your orders TO the Of
fcers OF the Government prelude
revenues from that source. We con
slider that those who fill the offices
and realize some pecuniary returns
from the ascendancy OF the party,
should at least bear portion OF the
burdens pecuniarily if not personal,
of the contest" The President said ;
Precisely, we agree there. The on
" difference hitherto has been one OF
methods. The executive order allud-
ed to was designed to let faithful Of
fcers understand that their first al
leniance was to the Government and
its interests and not to parties and
persons. | believe this is now very
generally understood, but so far as
contributing a reasonable share ont
of their incomes to meet expenses OF
the campaign, there can be no rea-
sonable objection to that. but it can
not be demanded under threat OF re-
moval as hitherto. An officer can
give or not, as he pleases, without af-
fecting his tenure OF Office for or
against hin. l expect 70 contribute
my proportion to the campaign ex-
penses. and there will be no objec-
tion TO others in office doing like
wise: in fact 1 should be pleased if
they were to do so.
The President added, And as to
the participation of officials in the
campaign. there can be and will be
no objection to this, unless they are
being used to further the interests Of
certain individuals who, by party ma
chinery and their hold on its mani
mutations. override the wishes Of the
people and subject Republicans to
the alternative of voting for obnox-
ious candidates or submitting par
tv defeat. The order applying to
officers of the Government IN tins
sense will be vigorously enforced, but
after the candidates are fairly In the
field. without tbs aid of conventions
hacked with Office holders acting at
the beck of dominant clique of poll
ticians, there will be no objection to
officers doing their share, so long as
il does not interfere with their Off
cial duties, in the field work of the
campaign, tie same as any other cit
jzen." General Campbell stated to-
night that he now felt quite easy in
mind. both as to funds and services !;
that :he President appreciated the
situation thoroughly, and without
coming in conflict with his position
As to the relations between officials
AMI politics would give the campaign
his moral and individual support
General Campbell thinks that the
President has been much misunder-
stood and now sees no reason what
ever to be dissatisfied with his course.
He thinks the Republicans of all
wavs of thinking should now aban
don their attacks upon the President
and turn them upon the Democrats,
where they Will do more good.
The swallow-tail brapd of the State
Democracy arc in the lead.