National Republican., 1882-07-27
The Administration and Political Con-
tributiOnS.

The Administration and Political Con-
tributions.
Tho deputy Democrats of the Civil
Service Reform societies, who pretended
to believe that the word voluntary"
meant compulsory, and that il political
committee asked for funds the persons
addressed were being knocked down and
dragged out and robbed, will not be able
to make any more capital for their Demo-
cratic coparceners The President and
the Secretary of the Treasury have both
declared that an official may exercise his
own judgment in the matter of contribu-
ting to campaign funds without in any
manner affecting his official standing.
In this they are in perfect accord
with the Republican party as rep
resented at this time by the Republi-
can Congressional Committee. None but
the half-Democrats, disguised as Re-
formers for the purposes of the present
campaign, ever caused any doubt as to
the absolute freedom of all to give or not
as they chose. These wolves in sleeps
clothing no doubt succeeded in making
oOhlC BNOplt DClCNC llldp itob w biNS
would endanger mans place under the
government And so some silly nurses
have, for sinister purposes, made little
children in their charge believe that
the bears would come and eat them
up if they did not lie still and 60 to
sleep. Nurses and enemies in disguise
will lie, as through all past times they
have lied.
The Presidents clear and explicit dec
laration "that no person in any one Of
the executive departments declining to
contribute shall on that account be SUBJ
jected to discharge or criticism, and no
attempt to injure him on this ground will
be countenanced or tolerated." meets
every contrary statement that has been
or may hereafter be made on that subject.
The Attorney-General's official opinion
that employees Of the government may
lawfully contribute to campaign funds
upon the solicitation of members of Con-
gress takes the conceit out of the Civil
Service Reform Association, headed by
George William Curtis, and punctures
their windy circular.
The letter of Secretary Folger, in re-
ply to the inquiry of a clerk who had
| received both the Hubbell andthe Curtis
| circular, and who desired to give if he
might lawfully do SO, is clear and direct
Having been considered in Cabinet be
fore publication it may be presumed tc
have the approval of the Administration
1t leaves the clerk TO exercise his owr
free will without fear of being persecuteG
by the enemy for helping the Republi
can party, or of being held in disfavor if
for any reason whatever, he shall decline
to contribute to the party fund. The
| following extract from Secretary Folger'l
letter, here referred to, should be quoted
in all future circulars. 1t puts the mat
ter squarely, and while it does no
authorize a draft, it does not discourage
enlistments. Abiding to the opinion o
the Attorney General the Secretary
says:
| The further conclusion follows. That executive
officers and employees of the United States not ap
pointed by the President with the advice an(
consent of the Senate are not liable to the pain
and penalties Of section 6 of the act Of August
1876, for the act of giving TO member Of Congress
money, property, or other thing of value. Yol
are such an officer or employe, and the effect O
the opinion of the Attorney General is that yol
may give to Chairman Hubbell, in complianc,
with his request, without running foul Of a pena
statute. ] might stop here, as the very question
that you put is explicitly answered, and as you il
your letter express willingness-nay, more,
desire-to give as asked. But / will take thi
| MIA IN cav hat I via fnlt thrDuyhOut
Treasury Department in all is ramifcation
of service that no servant OF the Unitet
States therein need feel the slightest pres
sure upon him to give if he does not wish Il
give. II he has that beliefin the soundness of tn
principles of the Republican party as to desir
their sustentation and success, and to be willinl
and desrous OF showing his faith by his works
and feels that he is able to aid let him give of hi
substance or of his income he sees fit. Or if b
lily OF the needs of self pinch his purse, and h
wishes not to give let him freely remain there
from. would have him think and feel and d
us if in the religious meeting house Of his choic
the preacher should lay before him the needs {
some cause. If it was commended to his judg
ment and he felt able and willing to spare of hi
pelf, he would give. Ifit was otherwise he woul
hold fast that which was his own. So, absolutel
so in the matter in hand. Let 1t be understoo
and felt by ali who hold place under me tina
which ever way they take they may take it uu
molested by me therefor. say as mean. wi
do as say.