Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-19
Malone and the Clerks.


Has Senator Malone violated the civil service
law by directly or indirectly soliciting an assess
ment, subscription, or contribution "for any
political purpose whatever from an employe of
the United States? Let US look once more at
the facts. Before that law was enacted it was
notorious that he was continually showing his
contempt for the principles of civil service re-
form which are embodied and supported in it
by endeavoring to fill every federal office in Vir-
gnia with his political lieutenants and
workers" He passed from one department to
another, trying to thrust faithful men out of
office in order that there might be more places
for him to fill. His political assessments were
laid and collected in tyrannical and shameless
way. The men who paid these taxes are still
In the government service, but some of them
have recently failed to hand in their VOLUNTARY
contributions" knowing that the new law was
enacted not only to purify and elevate the civil
service by changing the method Of making ap-
pointments, but also to protect them from the
attacks Of political highwaymen. These clerks
have received the following circular:
q the vsg1n.ns here IN Msshnston holding places
the
and ssspsctf1lly requested but that you
so . - william MAHoxr.
The published assertion that this was sent to
them by Senator Malone himself has not been
cOntradicted, and the president of the Virginia
Campaign Association, John L. Sebrell. and the
secretary, T. Brame, both said to be clerks in
the Pension office, have informed the delin-
quent Vrginians that, in accordance with a
resolution adopted by the association, they are
summoned to appear and show cause why
they should not be summary dealt with for
nOn-payment Of dues"
Senator Malone and his association want
these ,"dues," and it is plain that they have I'M
dertaken to intimidate the clerks in this inge-
Nous way. The powerful Senator tells them
that they have incurred his displeasure, and the
associations officers show how they can regain
his favor. What is this but an attempt to evade
the law that torbids the collection of political
assessments? If Senator Malone is the author
of the circular to which his name is signed he
has clearly exposed himself to prosecution UNI
der the civil service act, which provides that no
Senator shall directly or indirectly solicit or
receive, or be in any manner concerned in soli-
citing or receiving any assessment, subscription
or contribution for any political purpose what
ever. from any employe of the United States"
1t is true that he does not mention the '.dnes"
in his circular. but the full meaning of that
communication is interpreted in the warning
issued by the association. and as the Senator
positively says that the associations object is to
promote the success of the readjuster party, the
dues In question are admitted to be an assess
ment 'sfor political purpose"
1t seems to US that this is a case that demands
the prompt attention Of the Attorney General or
some OF his representatives. Let us have no
more OF this contemplate plundering of gov
eminent clerks, either directly or Indirectly"
The law is specific and comprehensive. and the
penalty Is "a fine not exceeding 5000. or i'm
prisonment for q term not exceeding three
years. or such fine and imprisonment both, in
the discretion of the court"