National Republican., 1880-03-19
FIFTY CENTS PER MONTH.
iting or circumscriblng the forfeiture under
such contract, but absolutely.
Mr.. Horr-Thoy might hang him.

iting or Crcumscrlbng the forfeiture uhuer
such contract but absolutely
Mr.. Horr-Thoy might hang him.
Mr.. Crowley-Then IL goes further, and
there Is whcro comes IN the argument OF my
colleague, who represents in part tho state ot
| New York 1t provides that every claimant
against tho United States who makes con-
tributions shall in like manner forfeit his
claim, aud shall not have the right to recover
or receive anything on the same.
If the House will pardon me for moment,
| by way of illustration take the case Of person
who applied for ponsion. Tho application
Inns not been granted. The claim is pending;
and while II is pending If tho claimant makes
any contribution for political purposes ho will
forfeit his right to that pension.
Then your bill makes no ,rovision as to how
these foricilurcs shall be determined as TO
whether mans property shall be taken by
judicial proceedings or otherwise. Thore is
no provision whatever mndc as to that
Mr.. Speaker have heard the argument ad.
vancod upon this lpor by different gerrlomon
that Congress Is usurpiug the rights of States;
that wa of tho National Government are con.
sOli1ating the powers Of the Government aud
taking away rights which tho States should
possess and ought to possess under tho Con-
stitution. Let mo say to my political friends
on the other side of the House, if this il not ono
of the most gigantic strides in that direction,
| fail to know whit could be considered as
such. Take the State of New York. Lot US
suppose that some eminent Citi2on, some cm-
nent Democrat, ii you please, say MIR. Scy.
mour, is running for the office of Governor mt a
time we elect no Presidential electors, when
we elect no Representatives. In Congress, whom
we elect no members OF the Legislature who
shall take part in tho election of Senator TO
represent the State of New York in tho SEN
ate OF the United States lie makes a Contri-
button for political purposes, which under the
laws of the Sntc of New York he may do. be.
cause the laws Of the State of New York make
| Il legitimate TO make contributions to bring
the halt aud the blind and tho sick TO tho
| polls, or to mako contributions for the print.
| ing of tickets, for tho circulation of documents,
and for holding of public meetings. Mr. Sey.
mour has contract whilo thus running,
aud makes contribution for political pur-
poses to be used wholly IN the State of New
| York, and lcgitinintcly. You say by this bill
that IN such a case where the Government of
| tho United States is not interested at all he
shall forfeit all his rights under that contract.
| | say that such legislation rs this Is unworthy
the wisdom Of an American Congress. do
not put 1t on Republican or Democratic
grounds. But say your billi crude; It is ILL
| dgosted; II is impossible TO execute, AMI IL is
unconstitutional.
1t you pass tho bill do not believe it will
evor be signed. Gentlemen here know very
well lnAt l nave no authority Whatever 10
speak for the Executive in any respect; but
do not believe If this law wore passed IL would
cvcr receive tho Executive signature. And il
it did, it would go upon the statute'book like
many other high'sounding laws which have
gone upon the statuto'boOks Of the National
Government aud OF tho respective State GOV.
ernments and there remain doal letter.
If the Committee on Reform in tho Civil
Service want to do something in tho interest
of civil.servico reform let them report u bill
| to this House, which will open admissions into
and promotions ia the civil service to com.
petition, so that ii may DO opon to all politi.
| cal parties and persons. Let tho bill appoint
commission which shall be independent o
party 50 far as you can mako IL undor oul
Constitution and form Of government, VII,
shall havo the supervision and arrangement o
tho rules In regard TO the civil service o
the Government OF The United States. Thor
say that no officer or empoyo of tho Gov
erment shall be compelled to pay politGa
assessments OF involuntary contributions
aud | will go as far MS any member oi
the floor to support a bill OF this kind But
should consider was not representing the vii
OF my constituents should consider that
was not acting in obedience to public policy,
should consider that was not acting in 10
cordancc with the Constitution Of tho United
States. il | were to give my assent TO a law o
this character.
respectfully ask the gentlemen havin!
charge of this bill on the other side OF th
House to consider some oil these legal proposi
tions in connection with the !irst, secon'
and third sections to soc whether this bill /!
Constitutional if you pass IL. Applause