Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-24
BLACKM4ILING THE OFFICEHOLD
ERS.

BL4CKM4ILING THE OFFICEHOLD-
ERS.
The Republican plan of levying blackmail
upon all the employees of the federal govern
ment, without regard to rank or conditions
for the purpose of supplying a corruption
| fund for use during the campaign, has been
inaugurated somewhat earlier than usual
Already every federal official, clerk, janitor,
contractor-in fact, every person of every
description who has drawn dollar from the
treasury during the past year, not excepting
the employees of the military departments,
ing, accompanied by printed envelope ad-
dressed to Geo. Frs. Dawson, ESQ.,, Treas
urer Republican Cong. Committee, Lock
Box 723, Washington, D. c." in which to
forward their voluntary" remittances:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS
SIGNAL COMMITTEE, 1917 F STREET, NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, d. c., - 1S80.-Sir: This COM
mittee is organized for the protection of the in
| terests of the Republican party in each of the
Congressional districts of the union. In order
that it nay prepare, print and circulate suita-
BILE documents illustrating the issues which
| distinguish the Republican party from every
other, and may meet all proper expenses incl
| dent to the campaign, the committee feels au-
thorized to apply to all citizens whose interests
or principles involved in the struggle.
Under the circumstances in which the country
| finds itself placed, the committee believes that
| you will esteem it both privilege and pleas
ure to make its fund a contribution, which, it
Is hoped. may not be less than $40. The COM
mittee is authorized to state that such volun-
tary contribution from persons employed in the
| service of the United States will not be object
ed to in any official quarter.
The labOrs of this committee will affect the
| result of the Presidential as well as the Con-
| gressional struggle; and it may therefore rea-
| sonably hope to have the sympathy and assist
auce of all who look, with dread, upon the pos
| sibiity of the restoration of the Democratic
party to the control of the government.
| Please make prompt and favorable response
to this letter by bank check or draft, or postal
money order, payable to the order of Geo. Frs
| Dawson, treasurer, postofhce lock box 723,
Washington, d. G.
By order of the committee.
EDWARD MCPHERSON, Secretary.
The body of the circular is Autographed,
the date and the amount of the contribution
asked being inserted in ink. The circular
copied was addressed to an official drawing a
salary of two thousand dollars year, and
the amount of his assessment is two per cent.
of his salary. We understand that the same
percentage is asked of all the employees of
| the government, even down to the ianitors
of the public buildings and the mail carriers.
1t will be observed that the persons to whom
the circular is sent are requested to make
voluntary" contributions, and are assured
that none of their superior officers will OBJ
ject to their complying with the wishes of
the modest blackmailer who occupies the
place of secretary of the Republican Con-
gressional committee They have no assur-
ance, however, that failure to comply with
the request will not be punished by an in
slant dismissal from Office, but the presump-
ton is strong, in view of past experience, that
such will be their fate.
Unfortunately for the credit of the coun-
try this species of matchmaking is not a
novelty. 1t has been practiced by
the Republican party ever since it came into
power. No serious attempt has ever been
made by that party to put stop to it. When
Mr.. Hayes first entered upon his stolen Of
fee he had spasm of virtue, and boldly de-
clared his intention of reforming the civil
service in this respect. He issued an order
in furtherance of this declaration, but it was
almost instantly disregarded, and has ever