The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-30
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS,

mittee has sent out circulars to every
person in the employ of the United
States, asking for "voluntary contri.
button" TO the campaign corruption
fund, and the amount that each one is
expected to pay is designated. Tie
laborer, who Is getting two dollars a
day is asked for twelve dollars, one
weeks wages, and all who are receiving
salaries are assessed two per cent. In
Philadelphia alone this amounts to
more than twenty five thousand dollars.
While the circular only requests "vol-
untary contribution, it is very well
understood that any one who does not
comply with it will be placed OH the
''black list and runs the risk of losing
his position. II will be remembered
that the Civil Service Reform Associa
ton of Philadelphia has been very
diligent in its efforts to secure the abo-
ltion of this custom and has taken fire.
quent action in relation thereto. AT a
special meeting of the executive com.
mi,tee November 10, 1881, committee
of FIVE was constituted to wait upon
the official head of each Federal depart
ment in the city to inquire whether .'he
was aware that such an assessment had
been made in the department, whether
it had his sanction and whether the
fear which employees express of being
placed on the black list. or otherwise
molested, for refusal to pay for or to
do political work was well-grounded
apprehension. The committee report
ed in way that substained the charges,
and in conclusion said. IF, therefore
a candid and manly expression of dis.
approval of enforced assessments could
be obtained from President Arthur, it
would be in the highest degree valuable.
If such an expression were refused, we
should, at all events, know the ground
we stand on and be prepared to carry
on our agitation in the most effective
way" Accordingly the executive COM
mittee mailed to the President on
March 15, 1882, copy of the report,
together with letter and memorial,
in which his attention was called to the
custom, and he was requested to lat
once and permanently relieve Federal
otiice-holders from all risk of renoval
by reason of their not paying assess
ments levied upon them to furnish
funds for partisan use in State or mu-
nicipal elections The receipt of this
memorial was acknowledged by the
Presidents private secretary on March
II, 1882. Learning that the custom
Of assessments was pursued and being
satisfied that President Arthur had
been needless to their entreaty second
letter was sent to hlm, but they receiv-
ed no response. On Tuesday of last
week, at meeting of the executive
committee of the association, a minute
was adopted setting forth that President
Arthur had in his letter of acceptance
of the Vice Presidency and in his first
message to Congress after he had be-
come President affirmed his approval
of and his intention to carry out the
principles of civil service reform, but
having dsregarded his pledges to the
nation the association put upon record
its belief that he is accessory to the
abuses, and it called upon the citizens
to express by voice and vote, whenever
and whenever practicable, their deter
mination that he be held responsible
for the continuance of these abuses.
| TheCivil Service Reform Association
of New York has sent circulars to of
flee holders assessed by this committe.
warning them that the assessment is 6
violation of law, and all who pay sucl
assessments are liable to prosecution
In response to this. Mr.. Hubbell, chair
man of the committee has addressed ,
letter TO the President of the Associa
ton as follows. lr . .
HOUSE OF REPRgsBNnvBs,
WASHINGTON, June ~.
SIR understand that circular signed by yo
has been sent to large numbers Ofpersons employe
in the service OF the United States, advising thes
to refrain from complying with the request OF tn
Republican Congressional committee for contrib,
tions to its csmpaign fund. In this circular y0
state that sin the opinion OF counsel as the mem
bers OF the Republican Congressional committe
| are officers OF the United States Government, o
persons making contribution to such commit te
will render themselves liable under section 6, chal
ter PSF, United states Statutes" II 1t be the la
that persons paying become liable to penalty,
being member OF Congress and the treasurer VII
receives the payment, am also liable. am willin
TO meet you on this question anywhere or at an
time, and TO unite with you in requesting the Pre-
ident to ask an opinion OF the Attorney Genera
II you desire any other form OF action In any tr
bunal which can give an immediate considerable
of the point, Iwill Join you in testing the sOundne.
OF the circular, and invite You to this mode
4 OF settlement as both more manly and more ho
orabe than your attempt to confuse the action
alarm the minds OF the employees alluded to. I'll
law Is misstated In your circular and the alar
you seek to create is without Justincation in Il
law. Your counsel TO whom you vaguely a
lude, either msunderstands or perverts It, Di
daining to seek shelter behind any cover, !, ther
, fore challenge you TO the steps necessary TO a
immediate determination OF the degree OF respo
sibiity which Is attached TO this fact. and to u
correctness OF your circular which distinct
2 deny.
The law of the country forbids sue
assessments, and the Republican COZ
vention of May 10th at Harrisbur
adopted the following resolution: RI
solved, that we condemn compulsor
assessments for political purposes, an
prescription for failure TO respon
either to such assessments or to n
quests for voluntary contributions. G
so much worth is their pretensions!
, Brewster on Bosses.