The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-18
tn PUBLIC PRINTER AS A REFoRMER
How Money Was Collected of Widows and
Orphans to Help Garry New York.

Orphans Help Garry Now York.
National Republican.
The greatest achievement of the Public Print
er, however. and the one which will rebound
most to his credit among the followers of the
meek and lowly jackson, was the squeezing
from women and children of the money which
he thought was absolutely necessary secure
Democratic victory in the Empire State at thS
last election. Feeling that the eyes of tbs
country were firmly fixed upon him.
and that the party hat was up
turned under his nose waiting TO.
contributions, The Benedict decided to make
those who were unfortunate enough to be undo.
his thumb pay for the influence which had
forced his appointment
"A man was selected in each room in the grea.
building and the Public Printer instructed the
'squeezers' in their duties AS an illustration
room will be sufficient, for all the other de-
partmeuts would simply be refiexes of it. The
superintendent OF the foldinc-room was set Il
work. and he appointed one Of his subordinatef
Ia Republican, TO go around and notify tho
hands employed on that floor that contributions
for the New York campaign fund were very
much desired. This went very much against
the mans grain, but he simply had ts
do it lose his place, he
chose what, to him, was the lesser evil, and did
according to instructions from the front Office,
informed that Mr.. Benedict will receive thS
credit for this contribution from the Democrats
of Now York. and he would be under personal
obligations to all who subscribed. and, was
significantly added, He will know who gives
and who does not With such a request az
girls and aged women. doa They simply
had to give. They were instructed to pay their
money to a man named Van Metre. West Vir-
ginian, who on his qualifications had been ap.
pointed laborer, but whose influence had
been sufficient to make him assistant superin-
tendent. To his desk many tired feet made
weary pilgrimages, and their trembling fingers
paid him the money that was actually needed
to buy clothing the simple necessaries that
sustain life. What procession it was Girls
of sixteen and seventeen years, whose
earnings went to support whole
family of younger brothers and sisters: widows
of soldiers whose lives had ebbed out on South.
Union mot as numerous in the Offices as they
once were), with their worn fingers and care
marked faces, and old women, many OF them
once well-to-do, now compelled to labor for
pittance. From these the great Democratic
party, through an accredited agent. was wiring
ing their hard money in order that it
might prove to the land that it was the friend OF
the wage-worker.
1.-THE ground was thoroughly covered for the
forewomen of the several sections were instruct
ed to see that each one gave, no matter what the
amount was, SO the money tumbled in, some of
it in sums small as 10 cents, while others in
their endeavor to placate the power that ruled
the building and controlled the situations
emptied their already lean pocket-books and
gave as much as So From the forcs
$3.50 was secured, and every cent of it. with the
exception of that contributed by q few privi-
legged individuals, was earned by the sweat Of
those women's brows. That money will be a
weight around somebody's neck yet. for it was
torn from the grasp of many who needed it for
bread.
1.-THE same plan was adopted ard worked in
every room in the building It was generally
understood, after day or two, that the assess
ment was ST. each. ana this sum contributed
by the big majority.
Republican voters who are registered in New
York State were asked to go home and vote the
Democratic ticket, and incidentally told
that the Public Printer would appreciate
it very much The large and eff
Gent corps of spies and caves
troopers set to work moro actively than
ever; no mans situation reputation but was
at their mercy, and naturally the fund increased
very rapidly. Some mon refused to be squeezed
and are suffering in consequence, but if anyone
was to dare to insinuate that the Governments
Printing Office was no longer q great workshop,
but simply a political machine, then THE" Ben.
edict would rage even more furiously than ha
did when he heard of the House resolution
which set the seal Of incompetency on his Con-
gressional Record force.
Give you some more another time Good
night. (" and ne was gone