The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-09-01
The Political Assessment Man.

Illustrated Correspondence Neu Norm Test'
The bearer Of the above now most con- \
spcuous name Is native Of the state OF
Michigan, born at Avon, September 10,
1920. He was graduated at the State Uni
versity in Ann Arbor In 1858, and two years
afterwards was admitted to the bar. After
this he removed 10 Ontonagon, Mich, In
the month of November, 1855, and was
elected q district attorney in the Upper
Peninsula of the State In 1857 and 1859.
In February, 1860, be removed to Hough-
ton, Mich, and was elected district attorney
of Roughton county in 1860, 1868 and 1866
He spent the next five years Of his life as
practicing lawyer, and ~ such assisted con-
sldersbly in the development Of the mining
interests of the Upper Peninsula. Mainly
as the result Of the influence he acquired in
this way, he was elected member of the'
Forty.third Congress, and has represented
the same district ever since.
Mr.. Hubbell is chairman and acting sec
rotary of the Republican Concessions
committee, and 1t is as such that his name
Is particularly prominent just now. II
stands at the head of Autographed circular
dated May Is, 1882, which, 1t is alleged, has
been sent to the numerous persons employed
in the service of the United States, AMI
solicits "voluntary contributions" from them
for the Republican Congressional commit
tee, ain order that it may prepare, print and
circulate suitable documents illustrating the
issues which distinguish the Republican
party from any other, and may meet all
proper expenses incident to the campaign"
Naturally enough the issue of this docu-
ment has excited great huboub in politi-
cal circles. The Civil Service Reform CON-
mittes In New York sent to all the clerks
in the government Offices ali opposition cir
cular, which, Of course, tended to check the
flow Of stream of money which, 1t is calcu-
lated, If unrestrained would amount to
about four hundred thousand dollars. Dem
ocratic inquiry in both the Senate and
House of Representatives, and a good deal
Of talk by members Of these bodies whose
interest lies In the subversion Of the party
In power, have not resulted in positive
action against the doings Of the Republican
Congressional committee in the premises ;
and 1t may be questioned whether the CON-
bined efforts of the Democratic Congress
men and the Civil Service Reform commit
tee have so effectually set public opinion
against political assessments as the press.
Mr.. III ubbell has been, as n matter OF
course, the chief object Of attack. Writers
grave, satirical and merry, and caricaturists
Of various grades of ability have pointed
pen and pencil at the devoted head Of Hub
bell, who is the best abused man in the
nation. Undoubtedly he has himself pro.
vided the material for that most effective OF
all offensive weapons against public man
I-ridicule. .. - r.r'A a.. .@
In an evil hour Mr.. Hubbell published q
book, himself the reputed author. It's sub
stance, aim and object were the slorifeatioI
of the Hubbeil family, Of which he Is him
self a most distinguished member. Accord
ing TO this precious piece Of genealogy, the
founder of the family was Bedouin. Who
so apt to collect assessments eneciually Al
he? At an early date the family emigrated
to Norway, when and where enforced -
sessments were continually in order. The
removal of the Hubbell's to France ant
subsequently to the United States furnish
excellent material upon which the caiica-
turist can exercise his fancy. A Hubbell a
the court of LOUIS XIV would certainly
have made assessments from his colleagues
there, aud frontier life In America gave rep.
resentatives of the same stock opportunities
of assessing from miserable Indians ant
travellers by the stage in unsettled regions
but at the head and front of all the Hubbel
assessors stands the great political assess.
} ment man of 1882. .. a=