Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1882 — JAY HUBBELL’S ASSESSMENTS. [ARTICLE]

JAY HUBBELL’S ASSESSMENTS.

How the Money Is Used—More Assessments to Be Made Before Election. [Washington Telegram.] This is the way department clerks talk. “My salary,” said one, “is $1,600. My assessments thus far amount to $l3O on the $1,600. lam expected to go home to vote, which will cost about SSO. Further assessments may come. I have not yet got over the drain of the Presidential election of 1880. What lam to do I don’t see, unless I resign. But I am better off than many others, especially the new appointees, who have earned nothing, are in debt, and who are already hounded by Jay Hubbell’s minions.” This is a plain and true story. There are thousands of others, some" of them more harrowing. The tendency toward rebellion is decided. The Hubbell inqui-

sition is managed by an Executive Committee consisting of members of Congress, every one in need of money to reelect himself. Hubbell is pouring ont money in Michigan in his endeavors to get himself into Ferry’s seat in the Senate. Where does it come from ? He is not a rich man. An needs of this description increase, the vigor in assessing Government employes increases. Then Mr. Henderson, the incapable Secretary whom Mr. Allison injected into the organization, is running for Congress. He wants money to put himself through. The clerks must pay. Every member of the Managing Committee is in a necessitous condition. There are complaints from Maine that, notwithstanding the great sum Hublwll has collected, and is still collecting, Jie gives that State very little. Similar complaints come up from other quarters, and still the drag-net is drawn through the departments and wherever else an appointee to tax can bo found. It is only the beginning. Hubbell’s campaign of itself will absorb a vast sum. Henderson’s is proving unexpectedly expensive. Allison needs more help than ho supposed. The rest of them are none too well off. Another 2-per-cent. call on the departments is imminent and may be expected for a certain tv. Beside Hubbell at large, there are State Hubbells imitating his practices by calling on the holders of places under the Government for money. This is now going on. How unmistakably does this tend to corruption in the Government! It is not necessary to say that Government employes are more or less honest than mankind in general to reach the conclusion that in many instances the money Hubbell squeezes out of them will ultimately come out of the Government. A tendency to demoralization and stealing is superinduced by the Hubbell practice. Nor will it bo for a single season. In the Treasury Department alone not loss than 500 clerks and others, taxed to the point of desperation, are .engaged in examining accounts and claims under circumstances that afford opportunities for dishonesty.. On their action millions depend. Is it right that they should be pushed so hard that some of them may yield to temptation? The. will to get even is everywhere. Having yielded to temptation and got even with Hubbell, where will the crime cease ?