Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-04-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Special Correspondence Public LEDGER
WASHINGTON, April 3.-The spe-
cial committee, of which Senator
Wallace is chairman, directed to in
quire whether, in 1878, money was
raised by assessment or otherwise,
upon federal office holders or employees
for election purposes, has submitted
its report, which officially proves that
the present republican administra-
ton has been guilty of the most
shameful blackmail. The matter as
regulated by the act of congress, ap
proved August 10Th, 1876, reads:
Section 6. That all executive officers
or employees of the United States, not
appointed by the president, with the
advice and consent of the senate,
are prohibited from requesting,
giving to, or receiving from any
officer or employe of the government,
any money or property or other thing
of value for political purposes; and
any such officer or employe who shall
offend against the provisions of this
section shall at once be discharged
from the service of the United States;
and he shall also be deemed guilty OF
misdemeanor, and on conviction
thereof shall be fined in a sum not
exceeding $500.
1t will be remembered that Mr..
Hayes, o after being seated in the
White house, issued an order, pro-
hibiting assessments for political pur-
poses, on officers or s~ubordinates of
the government. Senator Wallace's
committee reports that both the spirit
and the letter Of the statute had been
violated, and that Mr.. Hayes civil
service reform order has not been
Obeyed. The late secretary Ofthe SEN
ate, Mr.. GOrham, was at the same time
secretary of the republican congress
sional committee, and issued circulars
to government employees, inviting them
to contribute to the radical campaign
fund. A refusal to comply with this
levying of blackmail was generally
resented by dismissal from Office. This
was the result, although Mr.. Hayes
consented to the clause in the circular
that there will be no objection in any
official quarter to such voluntary sub
scription. All employees whose salary
exceed $1,000 had to pay thereof one
per cent. The whole sum obtained
ia this way for the radical campaign
fund in the fall and summer of 1878
being $50, 900, and the entire amount
from other sources SO. 00O, making a
total of 100000. In 1876, by
this method of official ~blackmail, two
per cent was exacted. Female en-
ployes Of the government who received
less than $1,000 salary a year had also to
contribute, the sum collected from
subordinstes and employees in the in
terror department alone was 1921.
The other departments had to subject
their employees aud subordinates to
the same process of official blaekmail.
This fund of $1,000 was expended
as follows: for documents and
postage, $24,50O; employees, fold
Ors, ETC., $l2,0 900; printing, stationery,
rent, etc.. $4,000. The remainder.
being devoted to close congressional
districts, to aid in the election of re-
publicans was distributed as follows
Maine, $4,000; New Hampshire.
$3.50; Vermont, Third district, $500
Connecticut, Third district $1,000
New jersey, First district, 1880
Second district, $500; Fifth district,
$500. Pennsylvania, Seventeenth dis,
trict, $500. Maryland. Sixth district
$l2;0. West Virginia, Second dis.
trict, $3.50; Third district. $500. Yir
ginia, Second district, $1,000; FourtI
district, $1,000. North Carolina, h
three districts, 1890. South Caro-
lima, First district, $1,000; Fifth dis
trict, 5000; state at large, 5000
Florida, First district, $500; SeconC
district, $1,000. Alabama, Fourth dis
trict, $500. Tennessee, First district
$500; Second district, $500. Mis-
souri,, Second district, $500; Thirc
district, $500; Seventh district. 800
Tenth district, $1,000. Chic, to Rin.
districts, $4,000. Indiana, to stat
central committee, with recommend
ton that it be distributed as follows
First district, $4,000; Fourth district
$1,000; Sixth district, $1,000; Eight
district, $500; Tenth district, $500
cannotsay whether or not the distFibu
lion was made rs recommended. Ii
linois, Eighteenth district, $3.50
Michigan, 5000. Iowa. 5000. Wis
oOnsin, $500. Oregon, 5000. Col
orado, $1,000. Total. $53,9 300.
The committees report states tia
Harry Cobaugh, captain Of the watcl
in the treasury, in 1878, furnished I
thu reDVblican state committed O