New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-05
IN ANSWER TO MR.. DEzENDoRF.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION INFORMS HIM
THAT HE MISAPPREHENDs THE LAW.


THAT HE MISAPPREHENDs THE LAW.
WASHINGTON, Oct, 1.-The Civil Service
Commissioners have addressed letter 10 Mr. Dezendrf,
IN response his last communication to tAem In WHICH,
through their secretary, they say;
"The prohibitions OF the Civil Service act in the mat
ter OF political assessments are substantially ne -FOUR
following: That no official empoye OF the United
STATES shall solicit or receive contributions Tor any
political purpose from any other ohical OF
employee; that person shall sOlclI or lo-
celve contributions Tor any political purpose IN
any premises occuDied by the GoVefhmenVi
no official empOye shall discharge promote or ue
grade go promise any other official or en-
ploye tor giving, Withholding neglecung to maks
contributions for any political purpose; and no omoia
or employe shall give hand 10 any other Ohcai
or empoye any triouuon for political purposes
Xnese four sections Substantially INCLUDE Oil that Is
stated Section in regard to pohtlca
or influence BY more careful reading Of Section II
you WI see that my letter of September 20 was flshI
in calling your attention 90 the TACT that IL uoeS ho'
appear IN your statement that Mr.. C. Clark Is Gov
ernmcpt official or that made solicitations III any
Government room building Ii ne were EoVeIIhiou'
Official he would right 10 solicit OF receive cor
tbuions from any other Government Oincla ofehploS
In any place AS person or cltlzen not III any
Government employment he is only FORBIDDEN 10 make
his potca solicitations in any Government building or
premises.
"Your language, NOR should he escape the himsy
pretext that he did not make the demands or solicit
tatiops IN any room or building occupied In
the discharge of official duties by any officer
or employe Of the United States mentioned
in this act or in any navy yard, tort or arsenal
"a Won seem TO imply, is totally inconsistent with the
plain intent of section ~ the clear purpose q" tht
kecIion 10 political assessments BENG naue DY
any u4rsop or citizen Ia Government buildings ana
premises YoLr remark to say tnat they san not Elo.
fate the law Louise or navy yard, OUT that
they may 20 the sidewalk outside Oi custom mousse
aud navy yard and vOlIe 1t IL to make the law IArce
is NOT prrtnent You will by wHat Is SAID aOoYe
that If Mr. Clark Is Government Othcldl or EN-
Move he could not violate the by soliciting cODl-
buttons on the deWalk outside OF the custom mouse
or navy yard TIE only violation possible To MIN was
10 have solicited within custom house, navy yard or
other Government premises ,
Having thus corrected your evident mlsAppreheh-
sion, me Commission would again repeat that any
proofs YOU may have Of violation OF the CNh service
law il fled the Cretary, sua nave Tue carry az
tepon OF the commission. Mere general statements OF
hearsay character such fur sn in your ter or
6euLrnper % DO afford Commission the data on
winch proceed IN any proper investigation ron say
Il nave been reliably Informed that SAID T. Z"
Clark treasurer OF Democratic Readiuser Commits
tee OF wuion senator Malone Is chairman, has mace
snilar demands of per cent on tue annual salary OF
the employes In tue Custom House and Otuer ttu6ra
offices IN kicnmond, Va The charge Is too general,
aimee inculpates In particular except Mr. Clark
ami does not even show that any Violation oil the law
has taken place. The Commission does not UNDERSTAND
that the whole machinery of the Department OF Jus Ice
OF all good citIzens; but Commission VIII use ali tne
authority given IT Oy the law ana me ruIes 10 IHht
inyes gions concerning the facts, ana 10 secure thc
enforcement"