New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-17
4 PROTEIN CIPCTLAR.

There is a vulgar proverb about whipping
the devil around the stump" Its truth is de-
monstrated Just now by the devious manner III
which the Benedict Maynard circular has been
altered to evade the Civil Service law. and yet
do it's work efIectually. When THE TRIBUNE
printed the circular, or what proves now TO have
been only first edition of it, Messrs. Benedict
and MAYNARD made various shutting half
dcnia,s that their names had been used with
their authority and the scandal was so great
that finally announcement was made that the
circular had been dropped entirely.
The sequel shows how much confidence was
TO be placed in this assurance. "1he Sun
prints in letter from WATERFOWL copy Of the
following circular, the like of which it says has
been received by every Office in Northern
Newly ork
Lawrence Gardner, Chairman.
Henry L. Bscoe, Treasurer.
C. ". Bennett, Secretary.
Bureau OF Political Information,
Ole Eigbh-st.. n W.,
washington, d. c., March I, 1888.
DEAR Sir: The object OF this organization Is TO aid
in the distribution of papers and documents discuss
ing the political questions and issues OF the DAY nom
a Democratic standpoint
To cfcctually accomplish this result, we desire
the OF every vOtcr Receiving nlall tn' WhOi-
ent Post Offices in your town.
Mcssrs. Thomas f. Benedict, I. H. Maynard and
other represent alive Democrats hero, who arc In ac-
tive sympathy with this movement, have referred US
to you as the most competent and reliable person
to furnish the list Of voters required.
Will you kindly send us such list, giving the
post office address of each voter, and indicating
opposite his the party to which he belongs, thus
d. for Democrat, X. for Republican, =. for PROM
bltonlst and L. for Labor. Where there may be more
than one voter in a family belonging to tho same
party but one name need be given
II the preparation Of full lists should require much
time send partial lists from time to time until all
have been included
II you do not have the information at hand please
confer with parties Who may I've able TO furnish It.
Your active cooperation in work Is earnestly
invited, and you will confer great favor by early
response. Address as above. Very respectfully,
c. W. BENNETT, Secretary.
As the circular was first issued, Il
bore the names Of Public Printer Benedict
and Assistant Secretary CT the Treasury May
pard at the end as the persons responsible for
il. and the name of Mr.. Bennett, the secretary,
was in the body US the person to whom the de-
sired information was to be sent. As the cir
cuar is remodclled. the names of Mcssrs. Benc-
dict and Maynard are given in the body as OF
representative Democrats who are in active
sympathy with this movement" and who have
referred the Bureau OF Political Information
TO the respective oflice-holder who receives The
circular as "thc most competent and reliable
person to furnish the list Of voters required"
Mr.. Benefits name is put Mt the bottom now.
These cvasions constitute singular cxhibi-
ton of hypocrisy Every man, whether Civil
Service Reformer or spokesman. would have
respected Messrs. Benedict and Maynard more
il they had stood by the first circular and
allowed it to appear that they were calling,
frankly and openly. upon the ofcc-holdcrs for
this political service. The same call is made
now, but in less manly way. The same i'm
piled threat is there. in the mention Of two
conspicuous Government officers, each in n
powerful place. The offence against the spirit
Of the law is quite as hcinous as before Yet
we have no idea they will be made to feel it.
any moro than the numerous other ollice-hoiders