The New York herald., 1876-10-24
No. 1000 II STREET

No. 2, 009 II STREET, |
WASHINGTON, d. G., Oct 20, 1915
To THE EDITOR or rnE HkRALD:-
AS Zachariah Chandler recently denied, in an inter-
view reported in your columns, that he had used
pusion to obtain contributions from his subordinaes
think that you will and for the following state
mcnt:-
Last spring held the position OF First Assistant Ex-
aminer the Patent Ofice& having obtained il by
success in several rigid competitive examinations,
and ed 1t long and satisfactorily As the Corncctlcut
election approached the republican committee of that
State urged that should vote with them pay them
mon ey for the campaign. soon saw that they were
determined to iorce me INTO compliance out OF the
Office. But, after iul consideration, | concluded
that could not consccntiously aid In any way
party which, as thought. had 80 wrctchcdly mis-
governed The country. SO persisted in refusing At
these blackmailers called In the aid OF Secretary
Chandler; and for the first time hc made himself
visible In the affair One day the chief clerk OF the
Patent oflce handed TO me the following mono
randum, which seemed to be in Chambers hsndwrit-
,ng:-
wv. II. Babcock, OF Connecticut, won't vote or
pay"
The Chief Clerk said -"Charges have been preferred
against you Mr. Babcock before the Secretary. The
charges that you refuse to vote to pay for pot
cal purposes The Secretary wishes report upon the
Two points named the memorandum OF course 1
indignant AZ such requirement; but did nothing
disrcspoctiuL On the contrary, made temperate
and formal written report. tho body OF which
follows
won't vote or pay tr political PURPOSES because my duty
officer Of TINS does require such xction
ana my choice as private citizen does prompt
have doing proper work faithfully.
ing 10 the government more than an equivalent for the
salary rees,ved am under ro obligation to any party,
and cannot forced to money winch do not owe.
The chici clerk subsequently assured me that this
report was land before secretary Cnandier, and read
by n,m .lso that 10 requirement. for arepors org.
hated with him entirely neither the Comm issoncr OF
Patents nor the chcf clerk being concerned with II IN
any way except as mere channels OF transmission.
TINS was very few days before tho last Conncc-
ucut election. About a week after that election
received my discharge. There vas not even
plausible pret,xt for that act ln tho whole ofce no
working more steadily and consclentlously
than sell had even declined a leave OF absence
which Dnd been rendered to me IN common with all
the Connecticut voters No reduction OF force bad yet
been required Indeed, Secretary Chandler could not
positive commands OF nm cxistng law had received
the very highest testimonials TO efficiency from the
men under whom ! bad Immediately served IN the
oiii'e AID had three times led numerous lists OF com
pctitors IN aiicut technical EXAMINATIONS Ny record
was generally recognized mogt excellent The
Whole SUN oi my Offending was this:-I hsd declined
TO be robbcd. For that contuiacy this hgh inacd
Cabinet ofccr nrst exeyeu all The prestige OF his post
tion TO intlmdatc me ntof ompiancc aud then, when
this proved insufficient Iunished me by expulsion
IL IN that have not suffered materially thereby
but owe him no thanks Tor thai. II not m,s-
taken hs expected different result any rate the
hcrent and dcspotsm OF hls course remain
unaltered ana unatoned. IL were negro and lf
southern planter | could begin proceedings against
him under an act OF Congress which denounces the
penalties OF nnc and imprisonment against such onen
ders that section. But In my case there Is
redrcss except TO publish tho outrage az broadly
possible and trust 10 pubc opinion for the rest In
This hope you Will help me aud the do
your readers Kindness hv settling the truth LARRY
iciore them v. H. BABCoCk.