The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-08-25
voIryTARv PAYMENT.


Tie circulars Of Jay Hubbell adj
dressed to the government employees,
call upon them for voluntary contribu-
tions, assuring them that such contri.
buttons will not DO objected to in any
official quarter. II was we'll understood
by the trainers Of the law forbidding
political assessments, that such coutri-
buttons would not DO voluntary On tho
part of those complying with party de-
mands. But the law has proven inop-
erative, and the Republican Congress
sional Committee, In the face Of the
decisions of our courts. and in defiance
Of public opinion, continue 10 levy en-.
forced assessments upon those who draw
their salaries from the public treasury
Webster once said, "it Is generally true
that he who controls another mans
means of living controls his will.' The
aptness Of tho remark to the question oi
the political assessment circulars ID
plain to every one. The mere fact that
these circulars call only for voluntary
contributions, does not make such con.
tributions voluntary. II Is better
for those who depend upon their posi-
tions in the public service for a support,
to comply with the demands OF the
Congre1 sional Committee than TO take
the chance of being dismissed for non
compliance therewith. In nine cases
out of ten, they respond, not voluntari-
ly, but through. fear Of dismissal. Their
will is controlled 10y the party in power,
and the same influence that gave them
position, can remove them from service.
There are thousands Of wealthy men in
Mr.. Hutbslls party who hold no otiic-
ial positions, and do not care to, bnt
has Mr.. Hubbell ever addressed his
hlackmailing circulars 70 any OF them
They are free to refuse compliance and
would refuse, but the liberty Of the poor
employees in the civil service il eireum.
scribed and they must contribute nOl-
ems ro.eas to tho party which gives
them n subsistence. Nor has Mr.
Hubbell the effrontery 10 call upon the
officers and soldiers OF tho army and
navy. They are not indebted to pot
hsaae politicians for place. Their
standing in the army cannot be affected,
one way or the other, by any recon-
mendation Of Mr.. Hubbell aud his
Congressional Committee. They are at
liberty to do as they please 80 leng a.
they ebay the regulations of the army
and navy. and hence they are not
called on for two per cent Of their
salaries for political purposes.
The time is not far distant whsn
those who suffer most, will find relief
from the oppressive syssem Of political
taxation. Tho remedy for the evil can
enly be reached, however, through les'>
la.ion, and the revulsioa Of feeling con-
seqnent upon the murder Of President
Garfield, has reused such an indignation
against the spoils system (of which
Hubbelps blackmailing circular is .
component part) that Congress must
soon mould itself 70 public sentiment
and enact stringent laws bearing upon
the subject. The mere fat of The Err
ecutiye cannot effect Civil Service Re
form. Hayes tried that, but he was
simply calling spirits from the vssty
deep. Ills call met with no response,
and he only succeeded in heapiug upon
his own head the wrath Of his party
bosses. The evil can only be remedied
by Legislative action, and the day i
not far distant when public indignation
will drive Congress to Legislato Hub
bellism nut Of existence.