The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-09-02
HOW THE REPUBLICANS RAISE THE
SHEkELS.
s2,OOO,OOO and n Fine House,

| WASHINGTON, Aug. 2l.-On Thir-
teenth street, near + street, in this city,
is large, handsome four-story brick
building. It is one of the finest houses
in the street. Phe twelve front Win
dows are all shaded by neat new parti-
colored awnings, and there is general
air of thrift and activity observable
throughout the building. a passer by
sees through the open front door
clerks in their shirt sleeves passing
from one room to another, while disor-
DERBY piles of documents and desks
loaded with heavy books and strewn
! with miscellaneous papers show that the
oppressively hot weather of midsum-
/ ,ner in Washington has no power to
check the active spirit of the occu-
pants. The scene Of this activity is the
headquarters of the Republican Con-
gressional Committee. In former
years this committee occupied more
modest quarters. Even in the Presi-
dental campaign of 1850 Il small house
on F. street was sufficient for its accom-
mediation, but under the management
of Chairman Hubbell it now requires
one of the most spacious dwellings in
the city. Moreover, SO useful has the
committee become that it is now con-
templated to organize it into perma-
nent party bureau, and to purchase for
its accommodation the fine large build
ing on Thirteenth street, which it now
rents. Thus the Republican Congress
permanent institutions of the capital
and occupy quarters which would ac-
commodate any one of several of the
smaller bureaus of the Government.
The Thirteenth street house is more
commodious, for instance, than that oc-
cupied by the Geological Survey or by
the Bureau of Education, and almost
as roomy as the buildings where the
250 census clerks yet in the service of
the Government are completing the
clerical work on that enumeration. 1t
is much larger than the early build
ings of the Bureau of Agriculture and
the Department of Justice.
The principle that all Government
employees must voluntarily contribute.
two per cent. of their salaries is now
officially sanctioned by the law officer
of Government and is accepted by the
army Of officeholders with scarcely an
The work of corresponding
with 100000 oficeholders, of keeping
their accounts with the Government
and checking their names from the list,
must be very considerable. Then,
again, the work involved in sending
vast quantities Of documents all over
the country requires the services of
many Jealous clerks. The contribu-
lions that have come to the committee
since it began operations this campaign
already exceed 81 ,OO0, 900 in hard cash,
and the amount is being increased
laily. There are about 100000 Office
holders in the United States. Proba-
oly their average compensation is $1,000 J
l year. The salaries paid by the Gov
therefore yearly aggregate
about $1OO,OOO,OO0. Two per cent. of
his sum is $2,0OO,OO0.
While the other members of the Ad-
are taking their vacations
.tioat or ashore, the indefatigable Sc
:retary of Assessments has been here
md hard at work until within a few
lays, and has now left the city, not
lonors in his native State. When he
eft, however, he let fall his mantle
1pon his subordinates. Officers of the
lew department are already passing
rom desk to desk in the other depart-
nents, and demanding voluntary con-
ributions from clerks who have
hought best to ignore their first re-
luest. The Secretary of Assessments
$4,000 last year to the
fund of the Republican par
y, and, it is reported, will give even
more generously during the present
:ampaign. The new building for his
bureau will be, it is thought, largely
lis own gift to the nation Feeling
hus earnestly himself, he expects
every man to do. his duty, and it must
% said that his expectations have
ocen reasonably satisfied. Many of
he clerks give more than two per
.ent. Others accompany their dona-
ions with sarcastic references to the
Civil Service Reform Association,
which would deny them this right and
privilege. Many Of the checks sent in
rom clerks are accompanied by such
;neering references to the work of
ieorgc William Curtis as, uPleasc
lon't tell George"
All, however, IS not bright and har-
nonious. There are crosses to bear
even in such noble and patriotic
work as that which the Hubbell COM
nittee has undertaken. Some Of the
Southern Democratic Postmas,ers, Sc
cure in their positions by influence
With Southern Senators, reply adj
1ersely to the invitations in n spirit of
evity and with a. lack of respect
which is very painful to the commit
zee. They also find that some Of the
clerks, who are experts
n their line, and whose services are