SIR: The attention
of the Department has been called to an attempt recently made in Philadelphia
to assess or tax for party purposes the workmen in the Navy Yard. It is claimed
by those who have participated in these proceedings, that the practice has prevailed
in former years, at that and other Navy Yards, of levying contributions of this
character on mechanics and laborers employed by the Government.
Such an abuse
cannot be permitted; and it is the object of this communication to prohibit it,
wherever it may be practiced.
From inquiries
instituted by the Department, on the complaint of sundry workmen, who
represented that a committee had undertaken, through the agency of the masters,
to collect from each of the employés in their respective departments, a sum
equal to one day's labor, for party purposes—it has been ascertained that there
had been received from the workmen before these proceedings were arrested, the
sum of $1052.
This and all other
attempts to exact money from laborers in the public service, either by
compulsion or voluntary contribution, is, in every point of view,
reprehensible, and is wholly and absolutely prohibited. Whatever money may have
been exacted, and is now in the hands of the Masters, will be forthwith
returned to the workmen from whom it was received; and any Master or other
appointee of this Department who may be guilty of a repetition of this offense,
or shall hereafter participate in levying contributions in the Navy Yards, from
persons in the Government service, for party purposes, will incur the
displeasure of the Department, and render himself liable to removal. The
organization of the Yard must not be perverted to aid any party. Persons who
desire to make voluntary party contributions, can find opportunities to do so, at
ward or other local political meetings, and on other occasions than during
working hours. They are neither to be assisted nor opposed, in this matter, by
government officials. The Navy Yards must not be prostituted to any such
purpose, nor will Committee men be permitted to resort thither, to make
collections for any political party whatever. Working men, and others in the
service of the Government, are expected and required to devote their time and
energies during working hours, and while in the Yard, to the labor which they
are employed to execute.
It has been also
represented that some of the Masters at some of the Navy Yards employ extra
hands preceding warmly contested elections, and that much of the time of these
superfluous hands is devoted to party electioneering. Such an abuse, if it
exists in any department of any of the Navy Yards, must be corrected. No more
persons should be retained in the Navy Yards than the public service actually
requires. Party gatherings and party discussions are at all times to be avoided
within the Yards. It will be the duty of the Commandants of the respective
Yards, and of all officers, to see that this order is observed.
Commdt. Navy Yard,
New York.
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