The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-22
General Pieasanton's Claims to the
Governments Recognition.
Closing Hours of the Longest ses-
sion In Congressional History.

WASHINGTON, Oct 21.-From this time
until the ballots are counted and the returns
made up on the night Of Noverber 9th, Re-
publicans in every election precinct in every
Northern State which is regarded as doubt
full" or to which the Democrats have assert
ed any claim, should be wlde-awake and on
guard. Information obtained here proves
beyond the shadow of doubt that the DEM
ocratic National Committee is straining ev-
cry nerve to raise huge corruption fund to
be used in the last week of the campaign, es-
pecally on the day of election. After the
Maine campaign the Democratic treasury
was nearly empty. 1t is asserted on good
authority that the Democratic committee
sent more than half million dollars to that
State-about one third of which was expend-
ed in Mr. Reeds district-in the hope OF so
courage the Democrats in the other Northern
States. Barnum and Brice, especially the
former, quickly realized that big sums of
money must be obtained. or the campaign
of intellect would end in failure.
The first thing done was to appoint in ev-
cry State and In the District of Columbia a
fiscal agent" to levy and collect political as
sessments. Under orders from New York
each Of these agents Immediately issued cir
eulars to every Federal offceholder, clerk
contractors on public buildings, river and
harbor improvements, ETC., in his baiiwick.
The recipients were informed that the
money was to be used ITO carry the doubtful
States"
The appeal of ssFiscal Agent" Townsend,
of Ohio, dated Sept. 2S, is fair sample
AS this is voluntary contribution. the commit
tee must rely upon your generosity as to how
much you will give. but will say that many have
airy, and as 1t is said, 1.-THE Lord loves generous
giyer." you may be assured that these people
stand well in the estimation Of TINS COMMITTEES.
ed with the name of the donor, and when we come
to make up "jewels' this record will be carefully
gone over.
It is imperative and we sincerely hope you will
give the minimum of the amount mentioned.
The responses to these appeals were neither
numerous nor generous. The indications
were less than $150.000 would be obtained in
this way, when S1,5o0,0Oo was the amount
which the National committee had determ-
ined to squeeze out of government officials
employees and contractors.
1t was evident that resort to more severe
measures and direct methods was necessary,
and the Fiscal Agents" were ordered to de-
mand a specified percentage from each vic
tim, and to remit at least one half of the
total amount assessed to the National COM
mittee on or before Nov. 1. This order was
promptly put in process of execution. On
Oct. 10, Fiscal Agent Townsend issued
this circular:
My Dear Sir: The National Committee having
intrusted me with the collection of contributions
in Ohio, il becomes necessary at this stage of the
campaign to again notify you of these necessities
There should be no mistake as to the amount ex-
pected at your hand.
l am directed to look TO you for five per cent of
the annual pay roll of your office. Should not
hear from you by the goth of this month shall
draw on you for portion of the amount yet unre-
milted. Please let me hear from you by return
mail.
A copy was sent to every Federal office
holder in Ohio, as well as to Ohio men hold
ing Federal offices in Washington and the
Territories. Two days later it was supple
mented by circular personally ad6l lessed to
the Ohio clerks and other employees in the
government offices in Washington.