Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1878 — THE OLD MACHINE. [ARTICLE]

THE OLD MACHINE.

<4rantism Revised—A Spectacle for lieformers. [From the New York Sun.] The old party machine, with which the country was so familiar during the era of Grantism, has been furbished, oiled, and is now in active motion at Washington, driven by experienced hands, and run in the well-marked ruts left by the former engineers. If Robeson, and Belknap, and Taft, and Zach Chandler, and Don Hamilton Fish, and Reformer Jewell, and the rest of them were to drop in they would find everythicg working after their own fashion, with much psalm-smgiog at the White House thrown in as a sort of moral dessert. Carpet-bagger Kellcgg shines afresh, like a newly-minted dollar of the daddies, and dictates his appointments to office and his share of the other spoils, with a foreknowledge that every order is to be obeyed. The departments all acknowl* edge his authority, and for the time, at least, he is master of the situation. His power is by no means confined to Louisiana, but is seen and felt in other States, and with practical effects daily in the District of Columbia. Dorsey and Conover also rejoice in their influence at the White House, and maintain the best personal terms with its occupant, and the latter is now a candidate for the House of Representatives, backed by the frau lulent administration. Imitating the example of Grant, Hayes and his concern are absent from Washington more tkan half the time, wandering about for amusement, or seeking to make political capital. Last week Schurz alone was on duty, turning the crank of the machine with the zeal and fidelity of Delano and Chandler. They all draw their pay punctually, and are rigid in docking the salary of every clerk who may exceed for a day the regular leave of absence. The assessment of officeholders goes on in the prescribed forms that were used during the days of Grant, when Postmaster Edmunds was Secretary of the Congressional Committee, and blackmailing was a recognized feature in party management. Lists have been furnished from every department of the names of all persons employed therein, male and female, and a circular fixing the exact sum required, graded by salary, is delivered by a hired collector, whose activity is stimulated by a commission on the sums he pays over to the committee. Mr. Schurz has formally declared that his subordinates may do what they please with their spare money, which simply means they are expected to answer the call of the managers, and civil-service reform will be helped by liberal subscriptions to the campaign fund.

John Sherman has made an example in his department, which is intended as a notice to the many thousands employed in the treasury that they must either pay the assessments or give up their places to others who will submit to the imposition. Mr. Hugh Waddell was invited to take an office under the Sixth Auditor as an expert accountant, penman, and man of business. He is not a politician in any sense, and the Auditor, McGrew, who has three sons in office, gives him the very highest credit for ability, faithful service, the best habits, constant attention, and acceptable deportment. He refused to pay the arbitrary assessment, was reported for non-compliance, and in forty-eight hours after received notice of his dismissal, signed by John Sherman and his executioner, J. B. Hawley. This same John Sherman proposes to reform the Custom House here in the same way.

Public notice has been given by the party organs in Indiana that R. W. Thompson, now yachting at the public expense after the manner of Secor Robeson; A. G. Porter, Comptroller of the Treasury, and J. N. Tynor, First Assistant Postmaster General—as a’political legacy of the late Senator Morton—are to open the campaign in that State, and to spread themselves over many counties by way of instructing the people in their duties at the coming election this fall, when a new Legislature is to*be chosen, and a Senator depends upon the result This programme is intended, of course, to illustrate Hayes’ order of June 22, 1877, in these words: “No officer should be required or permitted to take part in the management of political organizations, caucuses, conventions or election campaigns.” Troops are alone wanting to make the machine perfect All the other parts are in running order, with the Gorhams, Hales, Garflelds, Logans, and the old Grant guard serving at the engine and keeping the fires banked ready for all emergencies, and prepared for a third term. Altogether it is a charming spectacle—these reformers struggling to purify the public service in Louisiana and Florida and Washington !