The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1884-06-27

II appears from Republican sources
d good rcpute. be q saids that their
party's Congressional Committed n con-
fronlcd with vexatious dilemma. and
much anxiety II expressed - 70 which
horn Il will employ 70 reach dry ground
When that nnscliish and exemplary SCI
Of statesmen gathered Il Washington
the other dav. once Of their number read.
for the edi:ication d his fellows. the fol-
lowing extract from tho Ciyilseryice
law. Il being Section No. n Of that act
Il provides that mo senator or Repre-
sentative or Territorial Delegate Of
Congress. or any officer or cmpIoye Of
either house, and no executive. judicial
military or naval officer Of the United
States. and no clerk or cmpIoye OF any
department Of the Government Of the
United Estates. shall. directly or indi-
rectly. solicit or receive. or in any man
ner be concerned In soliciting and re-
cciving any assessment. subscription or
contribution for any political purpose
whatever. from any officer, clerk or en-
ploye Of the United Stales. or from any
person receiving compensation from any
money derived from the Treasury OF the
United States "
Then. 70 emphasize this. the reader
followed with section IA Of the same
law II Is. in substance. identical with
the above. but applies 70 Congressman,
who are prohibited from receiving
money or any valuable thing from any
officer or employee Of the Government.
The Committee received these dsclos-
urcs with astonishment, but the climax
was reached when the next clause was
made known. This section 15.'
makes the penalty for the violation Of
these sections five thousand dollars fine
and Imprisonment in the pcnitentiary
tor five years.
Profound gloom followed these prcg-
nant revelations. The COMMITTEES was
not ignorant that such measure had
occupied public attention for some lit
tie time. but few had the positive
knowledge that II had become law.
with the usual provisions appended.
The disposition 10 tribe with the meas
ure was extinguishcd BY the portentous
section Is. and the committeeman I'M
consciously put their clcnchcd hands
deep down into their pockets, at the
same time iadulging in little mental
arithmetic as to how many days. hours
and minutes were contained in the
space Of five years.
The elimination Of the law. for the
benefit Of the Committee, was per-
formed. very properly. by its secretary.
Mr.. Edward Mcpherson, and as that
body Is composed entirely Of Senator'S,
congressman and Federal officials, its
sweeping effect will at once be ap-
preciatcd. One Of the Committee is
reported rs tersely rclnarking that the
full significance 81 the Civil Service law
did not appear 70 have hecn entirely re-
allied by his party. when the measure
passed Congress- According to the
strict letter Of the act. therefore, an
Official who demands money TO abet
his party, can safely be housed in .
penilentiary. This fate may be In
store for the members ~ the Republican
Congressional Committee unless they
return 70 first principles.
The province Of the Democratic Com
mittcc has been confined to the collec-
ton and distribution Of Congressional
documents. while their opponents have
been devoiing their time. exclusively,
% the collection and distribution Of
that persuasive little Joker which Prcsi-
dent Arthur has dubbed soap"
The case Of General Curtis. the first
Republican victim Of the rigors o. civil
service. j. ~ once awarning and men
nee. II tie measure Be carried into
force. the Republican National. As well
as the Congressional. COMMITTEES will
have 10 be turned ont. and in their
places private citizens WILDE cnsconccd,
and il this il done what viii become Of
the coming campaign il these important
duties are entrusted to uninitiated indi-
vidGals? But Senators and Congress-
men are not only those who are CON
ccrned. for the law also applies 70 Fed
eral officials who are members of State.
county or township political or town
ship political organizations. albany
drgus