The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-10
A VICIOUS CUSTOM.

In snite of the spirit, If not the letter OIL
tho civil Service law, the vicious custom OF
,oyvi,g contributions from oilice-hoders IN
the different departments OF the Govern
ment at Washington still continues
strong public sentiment has in recent years
been created in opposition TO this CUSTOM
lint 20 far 1t has not been wholly stamped
ON, and as long as u Republican admins
tration remains in power there IL no pros
pect that it will be.
ON Wednesday evening meeting oil Tue
Ohio Republican Association OF "ashihs-
ION. an association composed Of Ohioans III
Tho service of the National Government ih
that city. was called together III oruer i"
hear an address from Mr.. Hahn, the chalf-
man OF the Republican Executive Commit
TOO Of Ohio. who had come TO inform the
mombers Of the association Of the exact
omount which they were expected to give
in order 10 advance the Republican cause
in their state. The meeting was presideo
over by the chief clerk of the Census bu-
reau. and was attended by all the promi-
nent. as well as by all the obscure, olhce-
holders i'm Washington who hailed from
Ohio.
The meeting was held openly, and the
reason that brought it together was wei
known. MIR. Hahn spoke at great lenglh'
saving in substance that "be wanted the
Republican ofice-holders from Ohio IN.
Washington to give a good account OF them
selves in the way Of cash contributions,
and believed they would do sO.' IL was
suggested that to make such contributions
would be in conflict with the civil service
law. and would. therefore. subject each
contributor to the risk of losing his position.
Hahn replied "that he was not bit afraid
but that they would be able to devise some
means BY which the civil service law could
he evaded,r and he coolly proceeded to sug-
eest the means which he had in mind.
When some one in the body Of the meet
ing proposed that the contribution OF each
Ohio office-holder should not exceed two per
cent, attention was called to the fact that
the Indiana Republican Association in
Washington "had sent over $4,000 to the
Hoosier State and expects to make 1t $1,000
before they were through"
In conclusion, Hahn declared "that an
on;ce-holder who would not contribute toI
the campaign fund of his party ought to
lose his place" and he further stated THAT
there were number OF very good Republic
cans out in Ohio who would gladly take the
Mace of all such Republican oflice-holders
and contribute portions of their salaries TO
the party that gave them Office"
Under the influence of such mingled per-
suasion and threats, it is not surprising
that the members Of the Ohio Republican
Association in Washington decided to con-
tribute very literally to the campaign fund
which Hahn was anxious to raise.
During the whole course Of llarrison's
administration so far this custom of con-
tributing TO Republican campaign funds
certain proportion Of salaries has grown
until the evil condition Of affairs which pre-
vailed previous TO Mr.. Cleyeland's advent
20 mower has returned, and the Government,
in consequence, is becoming more and more
a mere party machine, TO be run and TO be
abused in all its various branches, as well
as in all its personal agencies, as If 1t be-
Ionged to the Republicans and was not the
property of the whole people.
The day of reckoning. however. must
come, and there is reason to think that ii
will come through the manly integrity and
sterling merit of the last Democratic Pres-
dent. who. if he is reelected to his old pO-
sition, will again clean out the Augean
stables even more efleciually than he did at