The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-25

gency OF the appointment he now holds;
aud Mr.. MCCRARY was HAYES obiectOr on
the part Of the House, who 2ealously de-
Tended the theft Of the Florida vote alter
the Supreme Court Of that State had sol
emily affirmed Mr.. TILpEN's right to it,
At that very time, and previously. HAYES
had appointed % Office several of the
inferior agents 81 the conspiracy, who had
VIGOROUSLY figured in Florida and Louisiana.
These acts were tokens OF the sincerity
which lay behind civil service reform, oven
before its hypocrisy was exposed by Mr..
Owens in August, 1871, or HAYES had
shown his vindictivc hand In the Custom
House OF this city, and his selfish schemes
in removals elsewhere.
The Committee on Civil Service Reform OF
the House Of Representatives reported n
bill on the 18th inst, intended TO stop tho
corrupt practice Of lcvying contributions,
and making it u misdemcanor, with fine aud
Imprisonment for any officer, clerk, or en-
ployec Of the Government to contribute or
pay to any committee or person, or into any
fund. any money property, or other valua-
Die thing for any political purpose whatso-
over; or to pay any assessment or per-
ccutage upon the income or cmolumcnts OF
his salaryor compensation, for any political
purpose; or give lend, advance or pay any
money, property, or valuable thing with the
intent, assent. permission, knowledge, or
understanding that the same may be APP
piled to such purpose.
Tho heads Of departments are required
10 keep posted a standing order prohibiting
the officers, clerks, and employees from
violating any Of the above provisions. 1t
j. declared unlawful for them or other
superior officers to collect or permit or
allow any other person TO collect or receive
from any officer, clerk. or employee any
assessment. contribution, gift. loan, or adj
vance OF any money, property, or other
valuable thing To Je used for any political
purpose. \ refusal to obey these provisions
is punishable with imprisonment not eX-
cccdiug six months and 5000 fine. Con-
tractors and claimants forfeit their rights
and interests by contributing money or
property - political purposes.
This bin goes nearly to the root OF an
abuse that has become public scandal and
evil. 1t furnishes a remedy at least, which
the upright men or both sides ought TO sup
port as a reform. instead OF accepting it.
and making virtue Of necessity. or at least
keeping up appearances, the Republicans
have for two weeks past hlibustercd under
the lead OF the fussy CONGER of Michigan.
to prevent its consideration by the House,
who said the other day
lean only .ay for myself that consider this bill the
most Infamous auack uron The rights OF American eiu
s.us that have known 10 be- presented IN tins
House dcsiic tosay further that IL the most I'm.
famous attack upon roiitcal party that has within my
knowledge been presented here"
CoSGER spoke tor his party and reflects
their general sentiment on this measure.
They followed his lead like regulars obeyng
u commander. and have resOrted 10 the tac-
tics which the Republicans for the first time
introduced into the Senate last Wednesday
aud Thursday. No word upon the merits OF
the bin has been uttered from that side,
unless ii tee CoNGER's coarse dcnunciation,
which Is the host argument he is capable or
At this very time it is well known thar
the Treasury Department is canvassed for
contributions for the Ohio campaign. with
the full knowledge OF HAYES, and by the
personal direction Of JONI SHERMAN. This
money Is needed for an early and efficient
organization throughout the State; to keep
| up the Grccrbnck candidates, wherever any
sign Of detection is visible. and TO buy or
/ opposition 10 FOSTER in certain localities.
| After the departments are thoroughly ram
smoked for this object. the pet banks, con-
| tractors, and others who profit by the dis
| tress Of the country, will do their part to
any extent that may be required. The gen
/ eral belief is that more money will bee ex-
/ pended in the campaign this fall in Ohio
than ever was used before by the Republi-
cans. And this IS one reason why they have
SO unitedly opposed the bill to stop political
assessments.