New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-20
DEMANDS DOODLE.
= spcs CORRUPTION FUND TO BE RAISED.
vAsHReIoN OFFICE. HOLDERS ASSESSED $780,.
eoo-DHrAILs OF THE SCHEME DISCLOSED
4 yoTAL OF 81. 500 900 REoUIRED-RE
YUBLIcANS MUST BE vIGILANr
LET rKLEGRArH TO THE TRIBUNE.


OR EXPECT DEFEAT.
LET TELEeRArH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Oct. l9.-From this time until the
ballots counted and the returns made up on
the night Of November 8, Republicans In every cleo
ton precinct in every Northern State which is re-
garded rs doubtful to which the Democrats
have asserted any claim, should be wide awake anu
on guard Information obtained here proves beyond
the shadow Of doubt that the Democratic National
Committee is straning every nerve to raise huge
corruption fund TO be used in the last week OF the
campaign, especially on the day of election Ai'er
the Maine campaign the Democratic treasury was
nearly empty. 1t is asserted good authority tha'
the Democratic Committee sent moro than nan
million dollars TO that state-about one third OF "non
was pended In Mr. Reeds dstrict-in the nope Oh
30 reducing the Republican majority as TO encourage
the Democrats in the other Northern States Bainum
and Brice, especially the formey, quickly realized
that big sums OF money must be obtained or inc
campaign of intellect would end In failure
The first thing done TO appoint In every
State and in the District Of Columbia fiscal agent
to levy and collect political assessments. ondcr
orders from New-York each of these agents imme-
daely issued circulars every Federal ofhcehoider
clerk and other employe, as well as 10 0oVerhuehe
contractors on public buildings, river ana harDor
improvements, etc, in his bailiwick. Inc reclP
tents were informed that the money was to be
used g to carry the doubtful States
The appeal OF Fiscal Agent" Townsend, OF ohio
dated September os, is fair sample:
As this is a voluntary contribution the committee must
RELY upon your generosity how much you Will gVe
but will say that have given from to 10 per
cent Of their years salary and it is said the Lord
loves gver" you may be assured that these
peop,e stand well estimation OF this committee
We keep complete record OF all moneys received win
the name Of the donor, and when we come 70 make up
our Jewels this record viii be carefully gone over
IL IS imperative and we sincerely hope you VIII give
Of mentioned.
TOWNSEND DOESN'T ASK. BUT DEMANDS MONEY
The responses 10 these appeals were neither numer-
ous nor generous The indications were that less than
s15oOoO would be obtained in this way, when $780,
600 was the amount which the National Committee
had determined to squeeze out of Government DILL
Gals, employees and contractors.
1t was evident that a resort to more severe meas
ures and direct methods was necessary, ana inc
Fiscal Agents. were ordered to demand specified
percentage from each victim, and to remit al ieas.
one half of the total amount assessed to the National
Committee on or before October 20 and the balance on
or before November l.. This order was promptly
put In process of execution. on october TO- FlscaI
Agent Townsend issued this circular:
Ny Dear Sir: The National Committee having intrus'eo
collection contributions in Ohio 1t becomes
necessary this stage Of the campaign to again notify
you these necessities. There should be no mistake as
TO the amount expected at your hand
am directed to you for per cent OF the annual
roll OF your office Should not hear from you Dy
goth OF this month shall draw on you
Of the yet unrcmited Please let me hear from
you by return mall
A CODY was sent TO every Federal office holder IN
Ohio as we'll as to Ohio holding Federal Offices
in Washington and the Territories Two days later
II was supplemented by circular personally adj
dressed the Ohio clerks and other employees In the
Government offices in Washington
BARNUM's PERCEPTION" AT THE CAPITAL
On the same day Chairman Barnum arrived in this
I. trhfe (ovpr
cials, clerks etc. had been invited to attend on the
following day. He was in bad humor and talked
very plainly to the President, well to heads OF
Departments and bureaus, about the pecunary neccs-
stiles of the campaign. lie must have $4,000 from
Washington before october 20. and $4,000 more be-
tween the first and third of November He carried
away with him more than $4,000 in cash, and on
Tuesday, October 16 Fiscal Agent" Norris, of the
District Of Columbia, 1t is understood, carried the
balance Of the first $4,000 assessment TO New-forh
and deposited it with Treasurer Canda
The scrcws have been applied everywhere and no
officer or employc of the general Government or the
District Government will be permitted TO escape
Poor women and girls employed in the Government
Printing Office and the Bureau of Engraving ana
Printing have received urgent invitations 10 contrib
ute Contributions in ranging from 20 cents
10 s5 have been obtained in this manner from poor
women who need every dime of their meagre earnings
to support themselves and those dependent on them
Laborers have been required pay $40 each first
instalment and of them were obliged to borrow
the money meet this unlawful demand
FEMALE EMPLOYEES NOT EXEMPT
In the Government Printing Office in which notices
demanding voluntary contributions were conspic-
uously posted on pay day. compositors pressmen,
etc. were assessed 2O each first instalment, and
the clerks and foIemen obliged to contribute
amounts equal to ) per cent Of their annual compensa
ton. The foreman OF laborers in the Government
Printing Of1ce-one James E. Connelly-is the man
vino demanded and recey cd the voluntary conribu-
tionsn of laborers under his control One man, who
unable to pay the full amount of his assessment
and who rendered so per cent of it, had the money re-
turned TO him. with warning that the full sum must
be handed In promptly. The men employed in all
the District Offices, well the fremen. police Off
and other employees have been required to con
tribute.
Not satisfied with the amounts that can be wrung
from men. women and girls employed in the public
service, the agents of the Democratic Committee have
begun operations outside. This is the season when
licenses of keepers of saloons, ants hotels etc.,
must be renewed, and this year there is unusual
anxiety among liquor dealers account of the plenary
powers conferred on the commissioners by recent de-
cision of Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
which authorizes them grant refuse licenses in
their discretion The anxiety has been increased by
semi official announcement that the Commissioners
have determined 10 reduce the number OF licenses
liquor dealers. The local papers publish each dsy
the names and addresses Of persons applying for such
licenses
THE SALOONS CALLED TO THE RESCUE.
Within the past two days armed with authority
has been at work among the saloon keepers soliciting
contributions for the Democratic campaign fund.
He claims that his mission is known and approved by
the District Commissioners and his claim has not been
disputed. The Commissioners the who approve
or reject all applications for licenses. 1t must be
cratic Committee has a strong pulp here, and that
Its expectation Of receiving pecuniary aid TO the
amount of $4,000 for the benefit Of Cleveland and
Reform. from the saloon keepers Washington is in
fair way TO be realized.
Men who know anything about the political
methods of Mule Buyer" Barnum will not be sur
prised to learn that during the remainder Of the