Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-01
AuiIp 8snnsbst 5ournal.
Aayusta. Tuesday Nornine, August /


The Indignation and tribulation of the
fusion organs over the subject Of politi-
cal assessments make no impression upon
the public mind. 1t is well understood
that their tears and wrath are simulated,
and that they have no scruples about
making political assessments when and
where the opportunity presents itself.
Long before the republican party had an
existence the democratic party assessed
officials of its faith and made them paw
or chopped off their official heads. The
same rule holds now in their party where
ever they have offices to be assessed, and
will hold this year. next year and every
year as long as they have opportunity and
power to enforce it.
The plan adopted by the republican par
" il not to assess but to solicit contrib.
utions to defray political expenses. For
the convenience Of all concerned the sum
desired from each person as a contribution
Is stated. this being certain percentage
fixed upon all salaries equally. 1t is al
the option Of the official to pay the sum
solicited OF him or not. lie is not threat
ened with loss Of office or place if he re-
fuses. The President of the United States
and the heads Of the departments have
given notice that no official or employ-
under them shall be molested or lose his
place should he decline to contribute to
the fund for the payment Of political ex-
penses. Each individual is to be Judge Of
his own duty in the matter. and pay or
not as he decides and pleases. There is
no compulsion whatever each pays, il
anything. is voluntary.
But II may be asked why others as well
As officials are not approached and solicit
ted for contributions. Well, private in
dividuals are asked to contribute, and do
contribute In every campaign. But COM
mittees in raising the sums necessary to
carry on political campaigns feel tina,
their first appeal for contributions should
be made to those who are enjoying the
favor and emoluments Of the plrty to
which they belong. and for the support OF
which money is needed. Hence officials
are first and generally solicited to pay. and
In most instances there is no need OF
threats or cOmpulsion of any kind to cause
them to contribute. The propriety OF
thu, asking officials to contribute is en-
dorsed by the public. The public expects
officers TO be liberal in the support Of the
party upon whose patronage they are
living. None. or but vety few private
contributions could he obtained if the office
holders were not first solicited to contrib.
ute. In spite OF all that fusion organs say
against contributions by ofiice-holders o
carry on political work, the plan adopt
ed by the republicans commends itself to
the popular judgment. If anybody must
be asked to help pay expenses OF elections
AS it is certain somebody must if We
have elections--let those who reap the
honors and rewards be the first to contrib
ute. Such is the opinion of people at
large, and it will require stronger argu-
ments than the chatting and fooling of
democratic newspapers to change it.
If the republicans followed the rule
which prevails in the democratic party of
decapitating officials who decline to con-
tribute for political purposes. there might
be good ground for an outcry against po-
litical assessments but where every off
cial is free to contribut, or not as he pleases.
without molestaton or persecution in his
office If he refuses-this being declared
by the President and his Cabinet and all
important officers under them having con-
troll of political places-there is no reason
for the cry about the persecution and ex-
tortion raised in the opposition organs.
or MIR. Butterworth, who is coming to
Maine to speak in the campaign. and
whose name has been assaulted with coarse
abuse By the fusion organs. lady from
Washington writes: Congressman But
terworth ranks here rs man ire
proachable in private life. Towards
MS hVthti. - NtutTtoit N(uakereSS
who comes to visit him, he is as gal |
lantly filial as ever Garfield was to his
mother; towards his wife. piquant little
lady somewhat afflicted with deafness, and
hence calling for more chivalrous than or
binary devotion. he is as attentive as a
lover; towards his little deformed son,
Benny. his darling namesake. his tender
ness Of manner is very beautiful"
The Bangor Wing says: MFR. Murch's
public career does not seem to afford much
text for the historian or commentator. The
best thing said of him in Washington is
that he has seldom reminded the II Duse Of
his presence and has generally been con-
tent with leave to print three or four
columns of Peter Cooper's financial
screeds under the head Of - speech.
How Farmers Have Been Ruined.
In an interesting letter recently published
in the New York Herald respecting the stock
raising of the country, the author went out
Of his way to introduce for comparison the
r.