New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-24
EXPLAINING TIE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
COMMISSIONER GREGORY POINTS OUT ITS INTEN-
TIoN-THE RIGHTS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

COMMISSIONER GREGORY POINTS OUT ITS INTEN-
TIoN-THE RIGHTS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
WASHINGTON Sept. 23.-ln letter to IhC
Str on political assessments, Mr.. Gregory, OF the CIVIL
Service Commission, says:
boprd that Mr. Eatons fun and clear exposition OF
the bearing OF the Ciy Service law and rules on pot
cal assessments wOud answer all inquiries II 1t ana not
check all attempts to violate the law Bn' It Is not sur
rrisiug that I'm the Inauguration ~ stem, nVuN
Ing revolution so radical this law makes the source
OF habits and Of deeply rooted ideas shoud lead
regime, il not also TO boldly disregard lts require
ments , Al any rather T,of 'n cTeapotion 10
The grand intent Of those sections OF the C' service act
which rcale To contilDullons IDr P'st',t,l 49,
and Government funds a. to control elections %
IA prntert Government employees from compulsory con
triifut,,,,s ia ,,,Iiticol fuds But while shielding
the employees of the Government in one direction IL was
freedom m another The broad rights Of citizens, tue
rights ~ property Of speech OF action ana OF asoc-
ton, belong alike To Government CLERKS ana 10 an GU
Congress seems to have used and exhausted all its
cctnafc po,rr 10 protect the purity Of elections and to
defend the subordinate officers ard employees of the
Government from cocrced contributions for political
ms thew all are by the law with threatened fines and
impri .onmcnt il j. difficult to what Congress could
have done without invading HE sacred domains of
personal freedom guaranteed 10y the Constitution. The
clerk. outside Of his clerk hip is st citizen ana as
citizen has the common interest of all good ol/cii@
I'm The progress and welfare of his country the common
right tO vote and express his opinion, To- !0lm a>or
t0ns with those ~ Ike opinions, and 10 use his money I'm
all lawful ways propagate his opinions As an officer
cmplOye OF the Government no Is strictly under me
AUTHORITY Of Congress m an his official dud relation
and must violate any Of the four prohibitions ~
the Civil Service Act But away outside Of his official
life and relations, beyond the realm or his duties 10
the Government. and beyond his connections with
governmental people and places he becomes me simple
citizen. and has all the duties. Interests and nights az h
fovcitizcns not In public employ. The Interpretation
OF hc Civil Service law IS easy ard the path of duty
uurcd by j. plain an Who vl honestly regari its
two cr9ind aus First the absolute defense oi tho ballot
box from al corrupt coTuptinG Official Influences
second. the protection OF Government officials from
political assessments. These two great public demands
OF ne law must and will bc fully and fairly enforced
While Comni>-o Gregory Is attending 10 his d"t'
here, his Democratic colleague Judge Thoman IS other
wise engaged He elt here FOR Ohio three weeks
AGO and information from youngstown indicates that he
has since been busy organizing Democratic Clubs and
pnfadcs VI il asserted at la order 10 obtain funds 10
meet ne ,IcH-cS. Dee has made energetic canvass
among the liquor dealers and other Democratic business
men Of ms county.