The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-12-03
MAKING POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.

MAKING POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
Among the reforms we are to get
at the hands of the Legislature at its
coming session is to prevent the col
lection of assessments from public
officials for political purposes. Par
ticular attention has been directed to
this matter by the discussion that has
arisen from the collection of contribu-
tions IN the recent local campaign.
If an act can be framed and passed
that will completely put stop to the
levying of assessments on officeholders
no doubt it would have very general
public approval. 1t might also do
something to lessen the evil of money
in politics. 1t is doubtful, however,
ifsa law can be made to cover the
subject thoroughly and effectively.
The evil cannot be wholly eradicated
unless it is possible TO prohibit every
sort of contribution, enforced or vol
untary, by an officeholder to a party
committee, and it is not to be sup
posed the Legislature will attempt to
determine how man shall spend his
money, to prevent him from making a
really voluntary contribution if he saw
fit, or to light cigars with it, or throw
it into the gutter.
But as long as an official may vol
unfairly contribute the prohibition of
an assessment may be in a consider
able degree evaded, this is the fact
with the Federal civil service law.
That act was pretty carefully con-
structed. 1t not only prohibits the
levylng of political assessments, but it
prohibits the solicitation of them on
the part of any one in the Govern
ment service, or of anyone in that
service In any Government building.
1t also declares that no one shall be
disturbed in his position by reason of
his refusal to contribute to party
campaign fund. This act was intend
edto cover all the ground which could
possibly be covered by law, and in
particular to prevent the head of de-
partment from imposing an assess
ment upon his subordinate.
1t has had the effect of driving out
of the Government buildings and
offices the scandalous business of
soliciting and collecting assessments,
which is to be accounted a great deal.
But 1t could not interfere with the
making of voluntary contributions,
reference to which always causes the
knowing person to wink the other eye
Voluntary contributions are very
generally myth. The contributions
made are not voluntary. Though the
law assumes to protect those who may
decline to contribute there are WAYS
found to get rid of the delinquent
without connecting his dismissal with
the failure to make a voluntary con-
trlbutlon to his party. The letter
of the law is observed; the spirit of
it is broken.
AS long, therefore, as an official
cannot be prevented from making any
sort OF contribution there will not be
complete reform. The most of the
voluntary contributions are now made
under compulsion. Perhaps, how
ever, the wisdom of those who are
gong to work so many reforms for
US at the coming session of the Legis.
lature will find a way to stop the holes
now SO apparent in this REFORM
PliIa. Press.
The contemplated "reform" that
will prohibit Office holders from con.
trlbuting to campaign funds, is one
that is agitated periodically. 1t is
generally started by some fellow who
has been compelled to pay over a
portion of fat salary to a campaign
committee. The theory is all right,
but the practice is bad one. Who
is going to pay Tor brass bands, fire
works, speakers, uniforms, torches.
printing, and all the other accessories
OF a political campaign, if not the
men who hold Office and draw biz
salaries, AMI those who want to be
office-holders Those who get the
plums must help to cultivate the tree.
IT we can ever get back 10 the princi
pie that the Office should seek the
man, and not the man the office, it
will be well then to agitate this reform,
but SO long as politics is what 1t is to-