National Republican., 1882-12-09

nave similar information, and senators who
voted for Mr.. Hule's substitute would vote to
suppress the facts
llr Bcci, said he would do all he could to
facilitate the Investigation proposed by the
senator from Maine, us an independent mat.
Ter but this great evil should be dealt with
at once.
Mr.. Bayard hOped Mr. Hale would content
himself with onlarging the scope of Mr.
Beck $ resolution so as TO bring out the intOr-
nation called for by the substitute The OBJ
jcct of the resolution was to obtain iniorna-
tion by which TO frame n law TO do that
which the law of 1876 had failed to to do.
Mr.. Hale. Ifthe object of the senator from Ken
tucky is only TO perfect legislation, whnl neces-
sity is there for setting foot political investi,
CATION? do not complain that he does II, but
when he does it let II cover the whole ground.
Mr.. Beck remarked that the only political
investigation proposed by him was that which
was necessary in order to perfect law Oh
this subject.
Mr.. Hale. Do you suppose that anybody here
would vote against proposition 10 ostrengthen the
law prohibiting RsseSBments2
Mr.. Beck. believe that but for the facts de-
veloped as to the action taken by the republican
committee in the last campaign, the senator from
Maine would not vote for It,,
Mr.. Bayard. ! should think not in view of the
speech which the senator Mr.. Hale made last
session, arguing with ability and ingenuity in
favor fthis very system OF political assessments
Mr. Hale said he had not argued in favor of
the system. He had tried to show that it had
its root in democratic political management
in the past. He had also denied that the
committee proposed to coerce the clerks into
contributing, and he did not believe now that
the senator from Kentucky could find single
instance of the removal of an emplOye, either
because he failed to contribute or after his
failure to contribute.
Mr.. Bayard believed that if the invcstiga-
tion were made great many cases would be
found of clerks turned out because of their
failure to contribute to the republican cam
paign fund. AS to the speech of Mr.. Hale
last session, it might be fairly described as n
plea for the liberation of these political as
scssments. Who believed that these contribu-
tons were all made voluntarily2 What was
the meaning of the circular signed by senator
Malone? 1t was understood that the decapi-
tation of federal officials in Virginia was so
extensive that blanks were prepared to be
addressed to otice-holders, notifying them
that their places were wanted" Wanted
for what? For political purposes-to be filled
byOthers who would contribute more literally.
If the democratic party had been in power it
might have acted in the same way; but the
practical question was whether both parties
should now combine to put an end to this
great evil, so that the official power and the
official salaries of the country should no longer
be used to control public sentiments. More
than hundred years ago the British parlia-
ment made IL penal otfense for goVernment
officer to solicit votes. The organization of
the official corps Of the country into vast
machine to continue party in power without
regard to the popular will was one of the
greatest dangers that could menace the re-
public, and at time when the republicans
controlled all the branches of the federal gov
ernment. They certainly ought to be willing
to unite with the democrats in enacting law
to prevent the discharge of public officers
because they will not subscribe to partisan
fund against their pecunary interest or per-
haps against their conscience.
Mr.. Edmunds concurred fully in all the
morals sent forth in the remarks of the sena-
DOR from Delaware. He doubted, however,
whether the experience Of England would
strengthen the argument in favor of laws
against officers interfering in elections, for
he believed elections in England were more
corrupt than in any other civilized country.
AS to the resolutions offered by Messrs. Beck
and Hale, neither Of them was in an entirely
satisfactory shape, and therefore he suggested
that they be referred to the committee on
civil service reform, with instructions to
report q suitable resolution or law on the
subject. This would save time, which would
otherwise be inevitably wasted in this politi-
cal discussions. The pot on that side, said
Mr.. Edmunds, says that the Kettle on this
side is black, Well, it may be brown in some
few places, Qaughter), but the pot has
great deal more SCOT on it. Gentlemen.
on the other side think the republican party
is the worst party in the world, and we rather
reciprocate that opinion; and the outcome
will be that after four or five days debate we
will refer this resolution to committee to
put it in proper shape to accomplish the9hect
that we all profess to desire to accomplish.
Mr.. Hawley, as chairman of the committee
on civil-service reform, objected to Mr.. Ed
munds's proposition that that committee
should frame law, but it might
take the resolution and the substitute
aud horn ntva nc IN ~
a fair, partisan investigation. In his
judgment, however, no investigation was
necessary, so far as legislation was concerned,
because a large majority of the senate was pre-
pared to vote upon the subject now. But If
there was to be an investigation it ought to be
fair and impartial Here were nine senators
advertised as members of campaign commit
tees, six democrats and three republicans, and
the senator from Kentucky proposed to
investigate the conduct of the three, and let
the six go. If he (Hawley) were proposing an
investigation he would be ashamed, as a re-
publican, to make such discrimination in
favor of his party.
Mr.. Allison reviewed the history of the law
of 1875 against political assessments to show
that it was not intended to affect the action
of senators or representatives, and that both
parties co-operatcd in enacting 1t. He denied
that the contributions of government en-
plOyes to the republican fund were compul-
sorry, and said that it was u sham and pre-
tense for those who desired to inquire into
the secrets Of the campaign committee to put
it upon the ground that the statute of 1876
was Intellectual, that the contributions made
were involuntary, or that men who failed to
contribute were dismissed on that account.
Mr. Beck. If this investigation is allowed TO &c
on and the fact is not proved abundantly that
hundreds have been dropped for no other
sou than because they failed to pay these assess
mens, then will admit that this resolution is a
sham and pretense If, on the contrary, that is
proved, then it will be shown that the senator
from Iowa is engaged in the effort to conceal the
lacts.
mittee arraigned here by the senator, court his
investigation; but say that to ask for political
investigation on the grounds stated is a sham and
preteuse. / stand ready 10 extend the law OF
1870 wherever the senators [Messrs. Beck and Bay
urdl wish j TO 30. agree that public sentiment
has crystUllized against tue system Of cOntribu-
tiuns from oitice-holders and will goGs fur any
senator to prohibit the solicitingOf them. AS 10
the congressional committees, think 1t would be
well for congress and for the country if they were
abolished altogether. l believe that our civil
service is reasonably good now. but / stand
ready mead 10 to impr2ye Rn IT. SIs Snd aePy that
tigation in order to do that. Cali up your
ciyil-service bill and Isha give 1t my hearty sup
port, Then, If you desire to inquire inlo the
methods Of political parties, | believe that also
would be useful to The county and shall vote
for IT. but let us go TO the root Of the matter north
uud south. | read the other day that in South
Carolina, where there are 100000 voters, only 81,
coo votes were cast lt the last election, and only
1900 of those republican. If gentlemen want Il
inquire into the methods of political campaigns
let them do it. think it will benefit the country
Mr.. Hoar believed that whatever might b,
thought Of the transactions which had led Il
the two resolutions pending, their results
would be fortunate for the country. Many