The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-06-24

During the debate In congress last week on
the recent circular issued by the Republican
Congressional Committee, levying an assess
ment of 2 per cent. on the salaries Of all the
office holders of the nation to raise republl.
can campaign fund for use at the fall elections,
Mr. Townshend, of Illinois, made a vigorous
speech against the corrupt system, saying,
among other things
| am opposed to the system. 1t is Tester
ing sore which, If not arrested, will taint the
whole body polite and eventually destroy the
republic and render the freedom OF elections
farce. believe 1t essential to the perpetul'
ty of free institutions IN this country that we
should strike down the dangerous corrupting
influence of federal patronage and political
assessments which was used 30 extensively IN
the late presidential election. Is 1t not we'll
known, sir, that If 1t had not been for the
bread money extorted from the clerks, labor
crs and other employees of the government,
and the funds furnished on the begging ap-
peas of republican candidates by the star
route men who are now on trial for stealing
that and other funds from the national treas,l.
nv, Indiana would have gone democratic in
| 1880; and the country would not have been
disgraced on the 30th of this month by the
horrible spectacle OF hanging detestable
wretch "a maniac perhaps) for making stall.
wart president of the United States. say
again, that if the last election had been free,
had been unbought by this bread or blood
money, IT there had been no spOils system IN
this country, there would have been a different
political party in control OF the government
today.
| feel, sir, that it is the duty OF every patri-
otto member of congress and every true lover
of freedom in this land to rise up and put the
seal of condemnation on this cruel and de-
morallzlng practice. l speak not only in the
| interest Of freedom, OF which this system is
the bane, but in the interest Of humanity, In
order that the republican campaign committee
may no longer make use Of the political gull
lotine to eXtort from the employees IN the civil
service earnings needed to provide their faml
| lies against want. 1t is indeed a cruel system,
for the terrors of starvation, nakedness and
want are indirectly employed to force contrl'
buttons for the purpose of filling seats on that
side of the house from doubtful districts. II
is tyranncal system. Some say these contri-
buttons are not compulsory. That statement
| is not true, for II is too well known that when
the dread messenger arrives at the home OF the
poor clerk or laborer and announces that he Is
assessed or invited to subscribe certain per
centage of his salary to the campaign fund
the victim need not be advised that the danger
of loss of employment may follow refusal to
comply.
1t is tyrannical to demand the assessment
and slavish to comply if against the will. Is
| il more honorable than bulldozings
| Is there republican member on this ilooI
who is not aware of families pinGhed for the
necessaries of life by these political assess
ments, and who would not spurn the demand
upon their savings with indignant refusal II
they dared to defy the power of this political
machine? 1t destroys the freedom, the indie
pendence, the manhood OF the citizen.
/ believe there are but few, if any, employees
of the government to-day who do not in theii
hearts feel the amendment | have offered Il
lust and who would not hail its adoption with
secret pleasure. Go to any families, and ask
them whether they do not wish this political
cuillotine destroyed that they may be like
other freedom citizens, exempt from the de-
gradatlon of compulsory political assessments
and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Their an
swcr may be gwen IN whisper, but II VIII OF
/ of no uncertain sound. God grant that publlc
sentiment may soon be awakened to the enoi
nifty of this foul system, and that public con
demnation and punishment may be visited
with severity and certainly upon all who prac
tice It or any other system which interferes with
polit,cal privileges of any freeman, and tha
| The time may come when he who Is entrusted
with public office shall be driven from power
in disgrace If he shall attempt TO pollute The
nuri,y and freedom of the ballot box by tn,
use OF official patronage. Until the return o
this wholesome condition of former days
fear we shall not again witness the rule OF the
majority In this land.
Women Everywhere use Parker's Ginger