Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1884 — ECONOMY IN THE CAMPAIGN. [ARTICLE]

ECONOMY IN THE CAMPAIGN.

Democrats Poorer than Ever, and Republicans Holding Tight to Their Purses. [Washington telegram.] There has been no campaign since antebellum days that has been conducted on such rigorously economical principles as that upon which both parties are now entering. The Democratic party, always poor, seems poorer than ever, and a visit to their headquarters in this city woulA convince one of that fact after a brief chat with the attaches. It is difift cult even to secure money fer postage stamps and other incidental expenses. It is almost as bad at the Republican headquarters. The Government clerks, under the stimulus of public opinion, have become very independent, and in the majority of cases flatly refuse to contribute a cent The assessments from this source-alone in former years have netted the Republicans not less than SIOO,OOO. This year it will not equal one-tenth of that .sum. From all over the country come reports of indifference on the part of leading Republicans whose liberality hitherto has been the boast and pride of the party. Charles Foster is quoted as saying that he will not furnish a penny of aid. His is not the only case of this nature. In 1876, when the country was passing through a period of commercial depression far greater than that which exists at present, there were funds in abundance on both sides. Then money was counted out by the fifties and hundreds; to-day it is doled out in ones and twos. It is difficult to assign a reason for this cause, unless it be that the business men of the country feel satisfied that things will drift along in about the usual fashion, no matter whether the Republicans or Democrats are successful.