The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-01
Assessing omce-Holders.

The Republican Congressional Campaign
Committee, of which Hon. Jay A. Hubbellis
chairman, has undertaken to raise half mil
lion dollars from government employees to be
used in the various congressional districts
throughout the country to secure the election
of Republican candidates, and to secure the
nomination of such Republicans as are desired
by the committee. This committee is self
constituted committee, and has no authorlta-
tive organization as far as the Republican
party is concerned 1t is responsible to no
one, and can use the money it EFFORTS IN such
manner as it pleases. 1t has chosen to raise
half a million dollars from Federal office
holders, and the heads of the department have
given their assent. This sum will give them
a large corruption fund to expend in all doubt
full districts, and ten to fifteen thousand dol
lars corruptly used viii have an immense IN
fuence in any congressional district
The outrage of this assessment, however,
has incensed a very large portion OF the peo-
pie, and their sense of Indignation has been
given expression through the acts of the New
York Civil Service Reform Association and
the letter of its President, Hon. George WI
liam Curtis, to the Hon. jay A. Hubbeh.
The Association issued circular discounte-
nancine the assessment as against public NOR
ais and degrading to the public service, and
advising against favorable consideration OF
the demand of the congressional committee.
To this circular Mr. Hubbell protested, and
challenged Mr.. Curtis to a legal tes' OF the
procedure Of the committee in making cam
paign assessments. Mr.. Curtis has repliedto
Mr.. Hubbell. and his forcible rejoinder will
be found in this issue.
There is statute prohibiting political as
sessments on Federal otice-holders, but Mr..
Hubbelrs circular making the assessment,
puts ii in the light Of voluntary contrihu'
tion.f The past practice of the Federal al
ministration, under Grant particularly, readi-
" conveyed to those assessed the meaning OF
sivolunsary.n Heretofore anyone who re-
fused was discharged. In 1880, in fact, the
demand was coupled with threat Of dismis-
sal Of all employees who declined or neglected
10 nay I'M their assessments, and there were
no less than three leyies made that year.
This year the committee worded their as
sessment circular carefully, using the term
voluntary in order TO circnmvent the stat
nte prohibiting assessments, but every gov
,nept employee who received one knew he
must either respond with the money or vacafe
/. his position. The sns8 voluntary meant
10 them. and was so meant b. she apmmIttee'
that Il was voluntary with them 70 pay ~
or leave their positions.
NJ. Hnbbell. when he issued he eincaiar'
knew there was nothing voluntary IN the
matter. Persons soliciting such subscription
do not name aay particular amount The
committee, through Mr. Habbell, however,
made the amount asked for uniform upon all
government employees, according to then
salaries. II was two per cent, we believe
mon all. The man who receives $500 yeai
was assessed $40; the man receiving Sl,on .
wear was asuessed $50, and so ON.
The New York Civil Service Reform Asso-
citation so impressed the employees Of the
New York custom house with the injustice o.
the assessment and with the degrading ten
deney Of the practice, that all Of the eighteen
hundred have refused to comply. Their ex'
ample win DO doubt be fsllowed BY employees
eIsewhsre, rho haye not yet responded and
the Hubbell congressional eompqigR ea9'
mittee win have 10 raise the ds6ea ~ Other
wav.. This Is the FIRST assessment, Too, and
she second and third may be still more o.
failures.
There can be no doubt Of the right OF an,
and all government employees TO eoufribni'
70 campaign funds. but It IS not only unlaw
fal bus unjust and degrading to assess then
two per cent, oftheir salaries or any othei
proportion. No matter siaat 4 y stated 20 b
4 voluntary contribution. Past praesieei
chow shas / i not, and employees know i.
The New York Civil Service Reform Asso
eistiou has done great work in opposing th'
assessment by the congressional committee
and il is hoped they may continue their sppo
sitisn and 6sally break np the Prsetiee- Al
oasriotie citizens ane at their back.