Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-04-14


One hundred and three voters went
from the Interior and Postoflice De.
partments to Pennsylvania in Novem,
Der, 1875 a
The committee believe, aud 30 re.
I port that the collection OF moneys in
any amount, hut especially in so large
a proportion of the whole as is here
disclosed, from persons iIi tho public
service, to perpetuate the rule OF those
in power, is contrary to the spirit Of
our Governmental institutions, and in
direct antagonism to freedom of choice
by the people.
Your committee think that the stat.
ute of 1876 is in practice dead letter,
and respectfully report for adoption
the following bill aa1
A bill to prohibit officers and EN-,
ployes of the United States from con.
tribulpg money for political purposes,
BsH enacted Jythe Senate and House
| Of Representatives, Of the United States
OF Americd IN Congress assembled, That
&c shall not be lawful for any person
holding any office under the United
States, or any employe thereof to con.
tribute or pay any money, property
or valuable thing for any political pur.
poses whatsoever, or TO pay any as.
sessment or percentage upon the in.
come or emolumenls Of his Office or
position for any political purpose, or
to give, lend, advance or pay any
money, property or valuable thing
with the intent, or with the assent,
permission, or understanding that the
same may be applied TO or for any pc.
llitical purpose Whatsoever or to him.
self or herself apply the same TO any
political purpose. No head of dc.
partment or other superior officer shall
himself collect, or permit or allow any
other person to collect or receive, from
any officer or employe in his depart.
ment or under his supervision, or any
other officer or employo whatsoever,
any assessment, percentage, contribu-
ton, gift, loan, or advance OF any
money, property, or valuable thing
with the intention, understanding, or
permission that the same shall or may
be used for any political purpose.
] Srn . THAT trLn gInll
violate any provision of this act shall
be deemed guilty of a misdomeanor,
and, on conviction thereof, shall be
punished by imprisonment for term
not exceeding six months, and, in tho
discretion Of the court, by fine not
exceeding $4,000, and on conviction
shall be forever thereafter disqualified
from holding any Office of honor,
profit, or trust under the United States.
ANY officer Of the United States who
shall violate any provision of this act
shall, in addition to such imprisonment
and fine, be deemed and taken to have
vacated the office by him held.
The abstract Of testimony appended
to the report contains the following in.
formation: Senators were assessed 500
apiece and Representatives $50.
Over $4,000 was collected outside
Of Senators and Representatives.
No direct appeal was made from the
National Committee to Federal office.
holders m New York city.
New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
and Cincinnati were allowed to use the
fund collected from Federal officers in
their respective cities.
Wisconsin was allowed to retain the
amounts collected within her State Of
Federal oflice.hoders. |I
In Ohio onesixth of the fund was
placed In the Congressional Commit
tees hands, ono.sixth TO the State Com.
mittee, and the other two thirds they
could use according to their best iudg.
mcnt in and about Cincinnati,
Gorham's Committee aided nineteen
Southern districts and fifty eight
| Northern districts. The average to
Northern districts was SIP
There must have been many times
the sum wo collected used throughout
the county, first and last"
! The subscription in the Postofllce
Department was headed by Thomas J,
! Brady.
In the Treasury Department, by
John Sherman, Secretary Of the Treas
ury.
In the Agricultural Department, by
William G. lie Due, commissioner.
The Librarian of the Senate was
employed and paid for getting up a
textbook tor the campaign In ad-
dition to his salary as Librarian
49, ,220), he received $3.50 Tor aiding
committee with information as above,
or tho money sent out by the Dem.
ocratic Committee not one dollar was
sent into any Congressional district.
1t was expended for labor and docu.
ments entirely.
I FREE TRdDE ETUIHy