Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-19
CITY AND DISTRICT.
Political A..es.nseuts.

SHE o. S. SUPREME COURT DECISION IN THE
CURTIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE
ADVERTISEMENT LAW
Ii was briefly mentioned in Yesterdays STAR
that decision was rendered by the U. s.
Supreme Court Monday in the case Of Major
N W. Curtis, who. while special agent Of the
Treasury, received contributions for political
purposes from tie employees OF the government
in violation Of the act of August 15 1876. The
question at Issue was whether the act of August
II. 1876 is constitutional CHER Justice Waite
delivered the opinion Of the court, sustaining
the c0nstitUti0nality Of the law He cited
number Of acts of Congress by which Con-
gTc5s prohibited officers from doing certain
Things which are not unlawful in themselves,
but which for reasons of public policy ought
not To done hF persons in the EMPLOY of the
government. Thc act of 1883 makes IL unIaw-
ful tUr certain employees Of the Treasury to
engage In trade or commerce. or to own q sea
vessel or To purchase pU1iic lands or to be
concerned I'm the purchase Of tine public securi-
Ties al state or Oi the nited states. The act
oil ISL makes u unlawful for a United States
jude to act g counsel. and the act of 1853
pFut.utS any GAlc"r OF the government from
&c .H-s a. an agent for the prosecution OF
Claims against tne United states. The act of
lSr-1 prohibits members of Congress from
beng interested in government contracts and
1l..4t from solicit n cOntri5ut OlS for a Gift to
ans official superior. The court holds that the
act II 1870 PESTS upon the same cnuSt .tGtlonal
prime pies the actS which have been cited
whose validity has not been questioned: the OBJ
teCt OF AL 81 them being to promote efficiency
and integrity in the discharge Of official duties
and 10 maintain proper discipline in the public
service Suct purpose i within the Just scope
OF legislative power. says the court d" Ii con-
tributionS from those in public employment may
no tfl,lI nj 81
easy to see that what bewins as a request NAV
end a q demand. aid that failure to meet the
demand may Ge treated bv those having the
power OF removal as breach Of some supposed
duty growing out of the relations OF the par
Ties. contributions secured under such cir
cuinStanceS viii quite as likely be made To avoid
the consequences of the personal dispieasure of
superior "a to- promote the political views of
the contIibutnr-to avoid discharge from ser
vice more than to exercise a political privilege :"
The court also adds: If persons in public en-
ll0yment may be- called on by those in authority
10 contribute from their personal income to the
expenses of political campaigns. and refusal
may leaf To putting good men out of the
vice, liberal payment may be made the ground
icr keeping poor ones in " Curtis is remanded
to the custody of the United States marshal for
the southern district OF New York
JUSTICE BRADLEY'S DISSENTING OPINION.
Justice Bradley read dissenting opinion. in
which he took the ground that Congress had no
constitutional power to enact law forbid ling
an employee of the government to associate him.
Self with others for the promotion of the politi-
cal opinions which he entertained Or to make
such disposition of his private means as he
Should think fit. Justice Bradley said he did not
approve OF enforced political assessments but he
Thought that Congress. in elacting the present
law To prevent such assessments, had deprived
the individual citizen of one of his inalienabe
rights, and. so doing. had overstepped the limits
OF It's constitutional authority.