The New York herald., 1879-09-26
"C1VIL SERVICE" EXEMPLIFIED.

THE REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE MULcTING
CUSTOM HOUSE EMPLoYEs--AN INSPECTOR
WHO WAS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO SARA
ToaA, BUT IS PERMITTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO
THE FUND.
reporter Of the HERALD. while making his ac-
customed visit to the barge Office" better known
the headquarters for the inspectors Of customs,
was accosted yesterday morning by Of the uni
formed employees of Uncle Samuel, who waved o
printed sheet Of paper and exclaimed There is
civil service reform for you! Not having had va
cation in four years. asked for leave of absence to
go to Saratoga last month to help my personal
friend. Judge Robertson. and at the same time to
rest a few days near the Springs. I
told that the rules of the civil
service peremptorily forbid the presence of any
federal officer at political convention This rule
was laid down to me most emphatically. shrugged
my shoulders. kept quiet and stayed at home,
though wanted a vacation very badly. Now comes
this order-I regard it rs an order-and when ask
my superior officer il must obey it. he says DO
you please They did not say DO you please
when 1 wanted to go Saratoga at my own expense.
was distinctly told not to go, and II did it would
be at my own risk Now. however. that am asked
to pay $50 can DO as please and the rules OF the
civil service do not protect my pocketbook."
"Why s30?" asked the reporter.
THAT IL about two per cent of my annual in
come, said the customs inspector; little more. in
fact but they look for two per cent, and IL should
capitation sentence at once"
Saying this he handed the reporter the letter de-
manding the required assessment and added -
There are whole stacks of them at the inner room
in the barge office."
The following is q copy of tho document:-
REPUBLICAN STATE comxrrTSr, FIRM AyrsuE morEL.
NEw YORK, Sept. =. 1879.
EDWARD JOHNSON Secretary.
hkNRr A. GLipDss
NY DEAR sIR-1he Republican State Committee arc dc
The of to insure success to tho
% @ made ao %, VIII EUR great
upon the committee for first class speakers which shows
this state II be DONE from hamlet
s We & Wa aid as our friends sa
,on as in your Judgment you can best afford to mako tor
,is By g SsS or The
lean State Committed Fiith Avenue Ho,cl. New York
e' US carry p0isS EDWARD n JoSsoS secretary
Considering that there are no less than one hum
drcd and hfty inspectors and other employees who
expect to be compelled to pay their per cent
this branch of the revenue service to help elect Mr..
Cornell. who was ousted from this service by the
President for violating its rules as laid down by the
Executive department in Washington.
CHOICE OF EVILS.
What will Secretary sherman say to all this?" in
qured the reporter.
mot a word. 1t is understood that we must all
stand by Cornell as failure to elect him may affect
the chances OF a republican administration noxt
year. when all of us will be worse oil than are
now."
"But did not President Hayes Cabinet officers at
time forbid the contribution OF funds for such
purposow
Eyes, that was Carl schurz. And the plight ho
and his subordnates have been in ever since they
declined to contribute to this fund. I'd rather pay
the $50 and be done with it,"
The reporter of the HERALD next repaired to tho
Custom House and saw Surveyor Graham. The sur
veyor had not the letter quoted above, nor did
lie think that any copies had been received his de-
partmont "But," he added "they have up there at
the state Committee the list of all employed
this custom House ana they address these letters
the men direct without troubling the heads OF de-
partments. can assure you of this that letter
to that effect has been received In forwarded
this office. We have nothing whatever to do with
it," tl.
do not tho rules OF the civil service demand the
issuance Of an order forbidding such contribu-
tionsf"
mo, they do not" replied the Surveyor. Every
man is Tree agent to act he plcases in the
ter. lie Is master of the money he earns In our
vice. and IL he desires TO help along the republican
cause by the contribution OF money that is his
business"
"But you will not allow him to attend a convcn-
tionY'
"Ahi that is different matter altogether. He
then sacrifices time which belongs to the govern
ment of the United States, aud when he oontr butcs
money he sacrihcts what ~ purely hts own"