Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

1860-1861.] POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS FORBIDDEIN.

329

his own order, by which means he compelled every employe
to appear before him personally for the needed endorsement,
thus becoming acquainted with every man under his direction, and breaking up certain dishonest practices; for it is
said that a considerable number of checks thus made out
were never presented to him, their holders fearing detection.
This system has been in use in the Post-office ever since. In
some of his practical reforms he met with opposition. Men
said that what he wished could not be done; upon which he
would take hold with his own hands and do it, shaming them
into compliance. Every honest man liked him and felt safe
in his charge; the dishonest silently disappeared. Nor was
he inattentive to their morals. When he wanted information
he went to the men who did the work, and not to the heads
of departments or superintendents of sections. It created
some jealousy, but it gave him what he desired-a personal
acquaintance with the entire force. Hearing of one man in
particular who was addicted to profanity, he sent for him and
said, ' It is related that General Washington sometimes swore,
and that General Jackson also did; but I have never found
the need of it, and I request you to discontinue it.' That
was the end of swearing. H-e was always kind and courteous,
even to those in the lowest positions-to the porters and the
errand-boys."
But if there is one thing morb strongly impressed upon
the memory of his old force than another, it is his resolute
conduct in defending them from the extortions of the politician-assessor. He found a system of political taxation, every
employe being expected to pay a certain percentage of his
salary for party purposes, with the tacit understanding that if
he refused he would lose his place. The General was particularly incensed at this custom, and set himself to break it up.
When the party assessors came to him as usual, asking for a
list of the men under his charge, with a memorandum of the
wages of each, he peremptorily refused it, and forbade them
to solicit subscriptions in a place in which, as he said, every