Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-05-03
The President and the Party.

In organizing the Congressional Re-
the fall campaign, enc of the first ques-
tions which has naturally presented it
self has been how to raise the funds to
pay the necessary expenses.
In order to learn just what the Pres
idents position on this question is, Rep
resentative 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 approval.
He said he felt keenly sensible of the
Importance of the present years cleo
tions and hoped they would result IA
vorably to the Republican party.
Mr.. Campbell then remarked: "Since
you, Mr.. President, are so sincerely in
terested in the success of the Republic
an party, allow me to ask you whence
we are to draw the sinews of WARP Your
orders to the office-holders of the coun-
try prevent us from drawing revenues
for the prosecution of political cam
paigns from one of the principal sources
upon which we have heretofore de-
pended. We think that those who fill
the uIIces anu receive some OF the pc
cuniary returns from the ascendency of
the party should, at least, bear a por-
ton of the burdens, and should con-
tribute pecuniarily if they do not give
personal service during the contest.'
Precisely so,n said the President;
"we agree there. The only difference
between the Administration and some
other Republicans hitherto has been
one of methods. The executive order
OIl IO1 al 20 1t fn,t IL
officers understand that their allegiance
is to the Government and its interests,
and not to parties. That is now very
generally understood, but as to con-
tributing a reasonable share out of their
incomes to meet the expenses of the cam
paign, there can be no objection to that.
1t cannot be demanded under pain of
removal as heretofore; any officer may
give or not as he pleases without af-
| fecting his tenure of office. / expect to
contribute my proportion to the cam
paign expenses, and there will be no
objection If others holding office do the
same. In TACT 1 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 the County
and State committees, and told Mr..
| Campbell how funds were raised to
meet the expenses of State campaigns.
He said that he could appreciate as
well as anyone the necessity of funds
for the successful prosecution of po-
litical canvass. The President added:
"And as TO the personal participation
of Federal officers in the campaign,
there can and will be no objection to
this unless they are used to promote
the personal interests of certain indi-
viduals through the manipulation of
the patronage and the management of
the party machinery. Ofiice-holders
ought not to interfere so as TO oyerrule
the wishes of the people and subject
Republicans to the alternative of vot-
ing for obnoxious candidates or submit
ting to party defeats. The order for
bidding officers of the Government to
participate in this sort of thing will be
vigorously enforced, but after the can
didates are fairly in the field, without
the aid of conventions packed with of
fice-holders acting at the beck of the
tlominant clique of politicians, there
will be no objection if Federal Office
holders do their share of the work, so
long as it does not interfere with their
official duties"
Mr.. Campbell has reported this inter
terview to many of his Republican as
sociates, and there is a stronger hope
than at any previous time that the Ad-
ministratiOn and the Republican Rep
resentatives in Congress will act har-
moniously during the coming cam
paign. - Washington Telegram.