National Republican., 1880-07-15
IgGHT II.iNTED.
A Woman's Ideas on tho Assessments for
Campaign Purposes.

Campaign Purposes.
To he Editor of The National Republican:
SIR: Being "unly woman" of course
cannot understand the great subject Of politi-
cal economy or the many phases which this
most mighty problem assumes. / como crav-
ing light Oh a dark subject, and by lifting the
shadows you will receive the thanks OF many
beside myself
Why is 1t that sort of horror attaches to
the subject of assessments for political pur-
poses2 Is there any reason why this should
not be done in the dopartments2 am unable
to see any reason why money should not be
raised by such means for such purposes.
Being myself in government employ, shall
consider it both duty and pleasure 10 con-
tribute my mite to tho furtheauco Of the in-
terests of tho party by whose means | and
many other women arc provided with employ
ment moro to our tastes than can be found
elsewhere. Maledictions loud and deep go up
about the injustice of assessments among
clerks. If the utliiGtiOn is so very grievous,
why do not the injured ones resign? There
Is no law against it, and tho room of these
monuments OF misery might be much better
than their company. / cannot see tho smallest
objection TO the government clerk cOntribut-
ing yearly small portion of his or her salary
for this purpose, and 10 the women of the de-
partmonts particularly this applies now with
unusual force. The republican party gave
these places to women, and should never need
to ask for the little they are able to do.
1t is probably safe to assert that saven-tenths
Of the persons employed in the various depart
ments pay no taxes, nor do they otherwise
contribute to the support of the government.
| 1t Is diilCnlt to give any other title than
"shhk" TO those situated in this manner who
refuse the paltry sum required Of thom. A
| great hue and cry Is raised when the power
/ that keeps them in food, clothing and shelter
asks of them this ono single contributions less
often than tho price OF an evenings dissipa-
| tion. few games of billiards or faro or poker
or few bottles OF wine 'to treat all round y
| from the men; or another set OF jewelry or
| little more trimming for the last new dress
| from the women. Do not understand me as
supposng that all are given to wastefulness OF
extravaganza, but there is not QUE who could
not and should not arrange matters to pay
such call as he would his taxes. But some
| one may say that there are widows who find II
difficult to make the salary pay for all of the
little shoes aud stockings aud bread and
books. Doubtless this is true, but will the
sewing machine or the shop or the teacher
desk furnish u larger salary on more con
genial work?
Not long since enc of the young mon il
office remarked that his salary was "too larg,
for beggar and too small for gentleman.
Ii that youth and many others of his i'll
would instantly omigrate thore would b
vacancies for deserving Persons. i didn'
know who he was, but think he still bear
his burden of ignominy with tho air OF
martyr Tho salaries paid are by no means IL
proportion TO the wealth of u nation second Il
none on earth. From tho president and cabi
net down, there ought by good rights TO be
very decided increase. No cabinet office
should receive less than $4,000 per annum
Tho dignity and responsibility of tho positio
| sirnnUalu with ba t;o-
But this Is a digression.
set out to find the injustice of these asses,
ments. Leaving all party bias out of the cast
is 1t not the duty of every government en-
ploye TO contribute to tho needs OF the power
that be when called upon, especially as man
! of them pay no taxes or in any way pay tril
ute to tho government AS look at it, thos
who refuse ought TO go, and if the spirit ism
willing TO walk up like q little man and la
down the money, shame should prevent til
flesh from being weak enough TO let it h
known that there was any reluctance. {
course | may be wrong, but | think that th
laggard in this matter would be just the on
, to slip OF to Canada 10 avoid the draft III WI
time.
If man in government employ makes u
his mind that the country is under miSIu
aud he has such violent conscientious scruplt
that he cannot help to sustain tho oxistin
regime, let him resign at once, for his sup0
sensitive conscience ought never to perm
him TO do their work or receive their none,
, There is au old adago about ''the partak er
that is peculiarly adapted to such cases.
| don't imagine that If the democrats SUI
t coed they will abandon the assessment bus
, ness and there is no reason why they shoult
: Then whore ia the sonse in keeping up til
fearful howl about it2
do not expect TO convert anyone to N
way Of thinking or force my views upon an.
one but am simply trying to find the rigl
and wrong of tho case. and your opinion wi
be gladly received, as well rs information CO.
cerning the proper manner of sending sma
: contributions to the campaign fund.
: FRANCE