New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-03
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
MAJORITY REPORT OF TIE SELECT SENATE COM
MITTEE ON ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUDs-A BILL
PROPOSED TO PROTECT GovERSMENT EMPLOYEES.
fCrvrpA Al pRreg DIsPATCUJ

MAJORITY REPORT OF TIE SELECT SENATE COM
MIrrEE on ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUDs-A BILL
| PROPOSED TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATcHl
| WASHINGTON, April 2.-Mr. Wallace in be-
half Of the maturity OF the Senate Select Committee on
alleged frauds III the late elections, etc, has submitted
10 the Senate special report concerning political Assess
ments The committee say this subject is regulated by
the 9th Section OF the Act Of August l5. 1876, which
prohibits all Executive officers employees OF tie Gov.
ernment (not contrmablc by the Senate from request
ing giving to- or receiving any other employe any
money political purposes. They quote also the Tx
ecu;iyc order issued by President Hayes June 90 1877
in which lie announced that No assessments for pot-
ical purposes upon officers or subordinaes VIII be
allowed" The committee reports that Doth the letter
and the spirit the have been violated and the
pan meanpg of the order the President has not been
obcyed and cites the case OF the late secretary OF Tho
Senate (fs Goram) who all cnployc OF the United
States and was at the time Secretary of the Re-
publican Congressional Committee as an instance Tie
report continues
All of the uostmasters. revenue and customs agents.
clerks and employ cS OF tie United State, ct every char
acter called upOn for iey TO AID IN tn" advance
Incnt OF the Republican cau'e The whole sun ccelvcd
by the Republican Committee in tee SummerAud Fan OF
1878 from tACSc Federal officials was f93OOO. ana the
whole received from ali Oler sources $4,000,
making the campaign fund OF the RcpubcNn National
Committee amount Ia tO;a Oi $lOGO00. Persons were
Uniie states with the in,wledgo Of tic head tscr Of
TO obtain money from the clerks and others there Gnu
~,
made beaded in several the chief OF the
Derarpcnt before pr scnt1tOn to tho subOrduatcs. -
The Republican State Committees In Of the states
authorized to collect, and dll collect money for
political purposes from tine Federal officials within
those States. Authority given TO collectors
of money for political purposes TO enter the Depart
men,s at Washington during business nours and solicit
moneys from the employees, and the subscription books
prepared by the committee presented TO the
subOrdnates who subscribed therein and placed their
amount opposite their tmes
The eointtce that the Statute Of 1876 Is in prnc
ticc dead letter, and report for adoption bill TO
prohibit officers and employees OF the United States
II provides that It shall not be lawful FOR
any person holding any Office under the United
States, or any emnl0yG thereof. TO contribute or
pay 10 anv committee or person, or into any
political purpose Whatsoever, TO sment
or percentage upon tic income cnOlunents OF ks
lend advance or pay any money property or valuable
thing Win the intent with tie ent, fsOn
understanding that the same may BE- applied 10 or for
any political purpose whatsoever. t. himself herself
apply the same to any political purpose. No head Of "A
Department other superior officer shall fnsclf collect
or permit or allow any other 10 collect receive
from any officer or empOyc IN his Department under
his SUPERVISION, or for other officer employe
whatsoever, any assessment percentage, contribution
fit loau or advance OF any money property or valua
bic thing, with the 3.ent under standing permission
that the sumo snail or may be nsd for any political
pose.
The Fec0nd section provides that any person who shall
violate any provision OF this act shall be deemed guilty
Of a rscmeanOr, and conviction thereof shall be pun
shea by imprlsonment Tor trninot exceeding six |
months and IN tie discretion OF tho Court Ivy line not
exceeding $4,000. and conviction shalt be forever
thereafter disqualified from holding any office ~ honor.
r0iiI or trust under The UuH"d States. Any officer Of
the Cnlted who sLn Violate anV provision OF this
lct shall. IN addition To such imprsOnmnt aud inc be
1eeued and taken to have vacated the office by him held
lie report Ia agreed To by senators lace, Bailey,
iarand Mcdonald and Kcrnan Senator Teller viii |
hereafter submit minority report To- be signed by him
Sell and ScnAtUrS kirkWOOd, HOar ard blaine.