The New York herald., 1877-03-17
AN ITEM FOR CIVIL SERVICE REFoRMERS.
Nominations Not Likely TO
Be Confirmed.
THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS.
Clerk Adams on the Organization Of the
New House.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

wAsuIScroy. March 16, 1871
COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE Ex-
PENsEs OF THE LATE CAMPAIGN.
Somebody who managed the last campaign the
republican side is, woui seem, still cndcavoring
through agents to collect the departments hero the
assessments levied on the clerks aud messengers
government service for political purposes While the
House was in session one Of these agents, George
Fisher, was examined by Mr. Dudley Fields committee
In the course Of his examination Fisher that he
had been employed by the National Republican Con-
grcssiona! Committee to collect campaign funds from
the government employees; that he assigned a
room for the purpose in two or three departments and
allowed percentage OF from two I'VE per cent on
the amount collected by hun. He also that the
assessments wore in proportion TO the salaries that
werc paid, aud that the lists which ho had compiled
himself which had been furnished him were dc.
stroycd.
To-day Fisher madc his appearance in the War
Department aud demanded payment from those who
had not yet contributed, and the remainder OF their
assessments from those who had not paid up in iu.
Hc declared that he tired and would any
longer. and that they should pay up at once. Ho
cupicd desk in the the War Department
leading into tho office Of the dsbursing clerk, and
through which the clerks obliged pass In order
to receive their pay.
The War Department is the only branch Of the gov.
Some years ago the rule OF sem.monthly payments
was general in all the departments short time,
but 1t was an innovation on old established custom,
ana its operation proving unsatisfactory and trouble
some II was abolished IN all except the War Onice.
Ono Of tho clerks OF the War Department. reprcsen
tatvc OF his class spoke in bitter tcrms OF the outrage
upon his associates in compelling them accedo to
acccde to the demands of Fisher. Hc sad:-
"The majority OF the clerks Of family or
men who have relatives dependent upon them. Many
OF them went home to vote considerable expense.
Nearly all contributed toward the expenses Of the
campaign through their State associations, and to be
asked in addition make contributions to Fisher or
pay tho arrearagcs contributions that were promised
is certainly hard"
He added that he hoped tlo OF the facts In
che HERALD would stop this robbery, as thero is no
doubt that tho Secretary Of War and the President
know nothing of such operations and will not allow
them.
THE NOMINATION OF WILLIAM E. STONE FOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR
SOUTH CAROLINA AND FRED DOUGLASS AS
MARSHAL OF The Observation-Disclosures TO
THEIR CONFIRMATION.
Its probable that two Of tho Presidents nomina-
lions will not be connrmec-those Of William T. Stone
rs United States District Attorney for South Carolina
and Frederick Douglass Marshal OF tho Dis.
trict Of Columbia. Stone is brother-in.
law OF Corbn, who the previous Dis
trict Attorney, and who Is now here pretending to
seat IN the Senate representative OF Chamberlain.
Stone himself was member of tho Board OF State Cam
which refused to obey tho mandate of the Su
premo Court, put in prison for contempt and
leased by United States Judge Bond. He Is still IN
sontomp, and would not be allowed appear bcforc
any OF the State, II he were made District
Attorney.
tbs said that the Presidcnt was persuaded to mako
This nomination on the plea by Mr.. Corbn that Stone
had been his In the District Attorneys Office
and that It the limo of civil service reform to
promote him; but the President has since been told
that Stone Is UNIT for the place. and South Caronians
have given the assurance that any North
and nonresident lawyer Of good standing
and character will bo acceptable both to
the Bar and tho people In stones place. The nominal
OF Stone was, IL is said, pressed upon the Prcs.
dent, and he induced make II under the impress
sion that there were no good grounds against It.
Mr. Douglass nomination will probably also fail OF
confirmation but it is not likely that the President
will appoint any in his place. There said to be
republican we'll as democratic opposition to this
confirmation IN tho Senate.
WHO SECURED Ex.sECRETARY MoRRILL's AP-
PoINTMENT AS COLLECTOR AT PORTLAND?
The question who secured ex-Secrctary Morrl's ap
pointment tho Cocctorshp Of Portland threatens
become difficult OF settlement those two ancient
conundrums, 'who struck Billy Patterson" and ..who
bulted tho bull Off tho bridge' Tho Hon.
Mr. Frye. of Maine, in letter of IN
qury from Boston, March 1S, complains that ..thc
ways OF tho world devious and past finding out,n
aud goes to say that Senator Blame, Mr. Halo and
Senator Hamlin all declined to support Mr.. Fryos eE
fort In avor OF Mr. Morrill,, the ground that they
and all the Mane delegation, except Mr. Recd favored
another man--Mr Marble Mr. Fryc IS now sur |
priscd to read in the papers that SIR.
Morrill, was appointed tho recommendation
Of Senator Blame, Mr.. Hale and MIR. Reed.
He will be still more surprised to read noe from Mr..
Reed to Mr. Morrill, dated yesterday, in which
serts that 'in every step looking to your
well In the personal interview with the President as
tho prompt filing of written request with the Sec.
reary OF the Treasury, and in all previous consuta.
tions tho subject, had the most cordial oopcra-
ton Of Senator Blaine and my colleague in tho House.
Hon. Eugene Hale"
The facts, SO far they might affect Mr.. Morrilrs
feelings, are that the President learned from
anybody that Mr. morrill, would like the Portland Col.
ectorshp he was but too happy to crafty him, and |
he would have given HIM a much more conspicuous !
place had no preferred II or been willing to accept it
Mr. Morrill, has long been regarded as one Of the |
nblcst mon in tho Senate, and his management Of |
the Treasury Department a conspicuous success.
His rport 10 the last Congress regarded as the
best made under General Grants administration, and
the only blunder remembered against him here is |
tha; be went TO New York the last days OF the late
canvass and made political speech In Wall street. II
pretty poor Speech and on that ground has |
never been made matter OF rcproach to him,
even by his political opponents but ho owes the Port
land Co!lcciorship not TO anybodys solicitations bu-
Presidents proper belief In his fitness and his
desire TO crafty his wishes
All this. however, does not throw light on the qucs.
ton which puzzles the Hon. Mr. Frye and which pco.
ole here say he is carrying up to Name with him.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPON |