New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-17
TOYING WITH THE MACHINE.
DEMOCRATS WEIGHED BY A REPORTER
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEES REPRESENTA-
TIvEs THOUGHT THEY WERE AssLss-
ING CUSTOM HOUSE CLEEK-A
COPY OF TIE RECEIPT.

COPY OF THE RECEIPT.
Drop your money in the slot and see your nea"
av ona Is the latest development OF the cry for fund
among thu Lord High Treasurers of the bottomiess
Golfers Of the Publc Office Is private snap parry
There is no end apparently, TO the Democratic cry
for money Indeed as the day of election has drawn
nearer tho CRY has grown louder and stronger until
now It has become a howl of anguish AL arguments
and appeals having been exhausted, the old Jackson
ian thumbs screws have been taken down from the
closet shelf dusty and covered with cobwebs' out %
strong Of grip and as potent as OF old
whisper went through the corridors ana rooms
Of the Custom House the other day, at first geniie
and soft then more Kissing, until it became strong OF
lungs Tho words were few but full Of meaning
Every man who values his official head will be
assessed IL per cent Of his yearly salary to meet
the expenses OF the Democratic campaign In oruef
not to compromise the party place outside OIL 'he
Custom House was selected for the location OF me
salary weighing machine. 1t Was also announced 10
the clerks that The assessment would be called con-
tributon, which OF course would be voluntary Inc
machine, which works so smoothly that scarcely a
click has been heard by outsiders as the Indicator
suddenly hobs around to the clerks name, his depart
ment aud his DIVISION aud then comes TO rest again,
waiting for the next man. Is stationed IN inc store VI
the Jordan Stationery Company, No. 80 Liber'y-st.
Tribune reporter visited the place yesterday. a
man was seated behind desk In the corner OF the
room, buSly engaged with some iOnB ASNS' ~ plit
Of blank receipts lay his hand The system
works something like this The clerk, upon enter
ing the room, is asked his name his department and
his division. After giving these he hands over Il
per Of his salary, and the blink receipt IS hlie
in with the amount the clerks name at the sane
time being checked OFF on the long list Then he Is
free to 20 back 10 enjoy the benefits Of position held
under the beautiful system of Civl Service reform
The whole thing was simple that the reporter was
induced to try Il small amount would make the
machine work. Going up TO the desk he said that
he had give his contribution. Everything
worked smoothly until the question "Amountl' was
asked.
Two dollars the reply.
The machine gave a loud snap. the indicator
wavered moment, but did go round the tabulaed
face.
How much ?,
Two dollars
The man under whose charge the machine IS run
looked up suddenly Er-what department you
in - he asked.
Oh, can't a man contribute any amOuntl7 was
the reply Then a. the amount was filed In the re-
porter took bis receipt and prepared to 60 glance
ranging from Sl5 upward Only few, apparently
had failed to pond the call for an assessment
As the reporter pocked his receipt and started for
the door the man called afie him:
How did you know about this -
From inquiry IL was learned that the employees in
the Custom House understood pretty well that the
best thing 10 do 10 pay The eXorb tant assess
ment Even those In the classified service, which Is
protected by the Civil Service law had not dared to
disregard the order and few OF these are Kepubll-
cans, TOO. The party managers are shrewd enough
Of course not TO compromise themselves by giving
receipts that would tell any tales their face. The
Nev-York ----, 1883.
Received from ------ dollars a. a contrlbu-
ton to the Campaign Fund Of the Nafiona' Demo-
cratic Committee. r. NJ JORDAN.