The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-04-16

Of 1876. .-,.--------.-------....--r
The plan pursued Is somewhat pecu-
liar, but rarely fails to bring to time
the most impecunious or reluctant en-
ploye. First, a prettily worded circular
is sent to each Individual in the pay Of
the government, the purport Of which
is that the country is in danger Of fall |
ing into the hands of the Democracy,
and that in order, to avert such dire |
calamity it is absolutely necessary that
every true lover of his country, !. e.,
every good Republican,, shall do his
utmost In the coming campaign. The
intimation is made that the V0dss,atasy
contribution of a specified sum would
do much towards saving the country
from destruction, and would be gladly
received by the committee. i':' 7e1Hrd !
Should any Official or clerk fail to
discover the true inwardnees of that
circular or be pnrposely obtuse, he Is
subsequently waited upon by an agent
from Washington, who presents him a
list headed by the names and subscrip-
tions of his superior officers, and is
given an opportunity to make himself
solid. Should the unhappy wretch
declare that he has conscientious scru.
pies against violating the law by sub
scribing, he is left to his fate, and i'm
mediately IL may be said of him that
he scas in Federal employ, for his dis
charge follows instanter, and he retires
a sadder and q wiser man to ponder
upon the beautiful moral maxims ut
tered from time to time by the pious
and truly good head of the nation.
To correct this system of blackmail,
this shameless plunder of public SER
wants, on the part of the party in
power, the committee have, after much
thought, drawn up a very carefully
worded bill, which they recommend
any law, however ingeniously worded,
can ever be made effective until there
shall be in the White House a man
who will not only talk reform but en-
force reform measures. 1t is about as
certain as anything can be that every
employe in the Federal service will be
bIed very freely in the interest of the
Radical nominee for the Presidency;
but the effort of the committee ia q
step in the right direction and should
be persevered in. Let the Democracy
put itself on record as having done its
utmost to correct this evil, which un-
der recent administrations has grown
to such alarming proportions. The
| bill: s. ......... ......
ga Oil 10 pTOnlOlI OAHCcES huu CHI
ploycs of the United States from con-
tributing money for political pur-
poses:
| Be it enacted, That it shall not be
lawful for any person holding any
Office under. the United States, or an
empIOye thereof, to contribute or pay
to any committee or person, or into
any fund, any money, property or val
liable thing for any political purpose
whatsoever, or to pay any assessment
or percentage upon the income or emol-
uments of his Office or position for any
political purpose, or to give, lend, ad-
vance or pay any money, property Oh
valuable thing with intent or with the
assent, permission or understanding
that the same may be applied to or fol
any political purpose whatsoever, or tc
himself or herself apply the same tt
any political purpose. No head Of {
department or other superior Officer
any other person to collect or receive
, from any officer or employe in his de
partment, or under his supervision, O
: from any other officer or employ
, whatsoever any assessment, percentage
contribution, gift, loan or advance an.
: money, property or valuable thint
, with intent, understanding or pern.is
= sion that the same shall or may be use'
= for any political purpose.
4 Sec. 2. That any person who shal
4 violate any provision of this act shal
be deemed guilty of fmisdemeanor, and