The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-06
General CiIngman's Address TO
Congress

lgnt OF every ciliLeu Vi Jul itt ANN
rand republic to ask for important iegi.-
alton when the public interest demands
{, | address myself directly to you
Much has been said of late of ciyil-ser-
vice reform, official corruption and of the
improper interference OF executive of1-
.iais ia elections. The efforts, however,
hitherto made to correct these abuses
have been of such a character a 10
remind one Of the action OF a man who
should attempt 10 resist the attack OF a
furious bull with only a bunch OF peacock
feathers as a weapon.
La fact the interference Of officers 10
the elections instead OF being checked Is
daily developing Itself In more aggTav2-
ting and disgusting forms, aud men may
be found in the streets Of this city who
we're expelled from Office merely because
they refused 10 contribute portions OF
their salaries TO influence elections ID
some OF the States.
During Mr.. Jeffers0n's administration
il is well known that he forbade his OH
GERS to interfere with popular elections
declaring that an administration ough'
TO stand before the country on its W
merits, and that officials should coufine
their efforts to the public business.
During Mr.. Van Buren's administra-
ton some Of his subordinates did inter
fere in elections, aud in the city Of New
York some OF them even contributed
money. This practice provoked the dc
nounciation of such prominent men "a
Clay, Webster and others, and the public
Indignation Of the country was 30 aroused
that on General Harrison coming into
office he caused his Secretary OF State,
Mr.. Webster, to issue, about the I'D OF
March, l84l, a proclamation declaring
that partisan efforts for or against any
! rolitical party or the contribution OF
money BY officers Of the Government to
influence the elections would be regar-
ded as a cause for removal
But within a few years past the inter-
ference Of officers Ia election and their
contributions of money have become SO
general that it is conceded that even the
election ola President has been decided
by these means, and intelligent gentle
men have expressed the opinion tina
hereafter none but rich men should be
nominated BY Presidential conventions.
La fact we seem to be rapidly approach
ing a condition like that of Rome IN the
days when the imperial crown was sold to
the highest bidder.
Ought not this pernicious practice,
then, to be at once arrested 1t can be
done at once. and just az easily as the
stealing of horses and turkeys can be
stopped. You gentlemen have but to
will it and make the effort. Let Us see
how easily it can be done. Provide, by
law, that any officer Of tie Government
who sanctions or knowingly permits any
of his subordinates to be called on 10
contribute money for what are called
political purposes, shall be deemed guilty
of Z felony, and on conviction be lmprls-
oned for MT less than two years and fined
at the discretion of the court. Secondly,
provide hat any officer Of the Govern
ment who contributes his money for such
a purpose shall be held liable to indict
ment for a misaemeanor and subject to
fine or imprisonment, and also liable to a
civil suit for twenty times the amount
given by him, one half of which may go
to the informer, and the other to the
public. Thirdly, let it be provided that
any citizen who knowingly asks an officer
for money for such a purpose shall, as
an accessory before the fact, be subject to
the like punishment.
Does any one doubt hat the passage of
such a law would break up the practice?
Why then should it not be done? Let US
consider for a momen such objections as
some persons might suggest. 1t may be
said that a citizen who is an officer has a
right to give his money for such a pur-
pose If he chooses. Let uS see if this
objection is conclusive.
In this country it is generally admitted
that a man has a right to sell his prop.
erty to one who wishes to purchase il.
But if a man after purchasing a gallon of
whisky should propose to sell it by the
glass on the streets, as apples are sold, he
will be arrested. 1t is said that public
policy forbids his SO selling. But does
not public policy even more imperatively
demand that this practice of the office
holders should be broken up?
Again, there is no right more generally
priced than freedom Of speech. But.
suppose that a man should speak on the
street and tel the boys that if they
would be cunning and sly they could steal
profitably, such a man would be arrested
for %corrupting the public morals. But is
not the practice to which | refer likewise
demoraliziDg to the country?
Again it may be said by some one that
imprisoning a man for two years or lon
ger is too severe a punishment. But, as
the act referred to is done with delibera
ton aud reflection. the severity OF the
punishment will prevent the crime.
When a man knows that the passage Of
a locomotive across his neck will Kill him
he avoids lying down on a railroad
track.
Why then, gentlemen, should not the
practice | refer to, be at once broken up
by a vigorous effort? Does not every
one see that political issues can be bet
ter settled without the resort to such in
huences? Would you rather trust an
impartial jury than one that had been
bribed? Would the administration of
Justice be improved if it were understood
that the Judge was to render his decis-
Lon in favor of the party that would pay
him the most money?
If not arrested this practice will extend
itself more and more. | hear of mem
bers of Congress saying that their cleo
tons cost them twenty. and even thirty
thou and dollars. During fourteen years
| was elected a member of the House
without ever having a nomination by any
convention, and always running as an
independent candidate. Though my can
vass lasted from March until August.
am confident that did not expend as
much as $3.50 in any one contest, that
sum being more than sufficient TO pay
my travelling expenses and the cost OF
printing my tickets.
1t is said, however, that the times
nave changed and that the people have
become corrupt. This is a mistake for
the mass ofthe people are still politically
Ihnno>f anH AaS,ra rood 7,
is only that some politicians have become
corrupt and judge the world by them
selves. Why, then, should you not,
gentlemen, by a vigorous effort. arrest
this mischief and carry the countr back
"a -. inrpnDr pron+innr2 ill., -. -