Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-11
CIyIL@sEayICC REPORT.
senator Hale Presents a Republican
Campaign D0cument
IBy telegraph TO no Dispal'n

q
washington, October Ex-senator
Hale to-day submitted to the Senate tho
report from the special committee 10 ex-
anime into the present condition Of the
civil service The report makes print
ed document oftifty pages 1t discusses
deliberately the testimony taken IN New
York. PENNSYLVANIA, and elsewhere, and
concludes with tho following general
summary:
The Investigations made by the COM
mittee and the facts therein brought
forth establish these things beyond con
troyersy:
J. That partisan changes have been
made in the Federal Offices IN a whole
sale way, under no pretence hist the
good Of the public service demanded
such changes. IN most marked III
stances. as III Philadelphia, Baltimore,
indianapolis, aud New York, these
changes have been followed by scandals
in the public service, winch has been
rendered less efficient by reason Of
changes.
=. ThatFedcral officials throughout tho
country, contrary ID the orders Of the
directions Of the President, as found IN
his letter OF July "a. 1885, have freely
and openly participated IN political con
yentiOns aud primsry-elecnOn move
ments, using their official influence. Ia
Pennsylvania the entire machinery OF
the Federal service WIS put IN operation
for the purpose Of controlling tue Demo
cratic organization Ia the State interest
in administration force as against the
friends in the original. State conYcn-
tons were dominated and controlled by
Federal officials, aud the craftsmanship
Of the State Committee was secured by
Offices bestowed by the Administration
upon members OF the committee, who
changed their allegiance from Randall
TO the President.
In no case does the committee find
that any Federal officer has been dlsci-
pinned for such interference IN politics,
but on the other hand such interference
has been repeatedly recognized and re-
warded. This interference in some
eases, notably at Binghamton, \. T.,
was most offensive TO the people, and
amounted to conspiracy to thwart and
defeat the popular will. The system Of
leyying tolls and assessments upon tede-
raj oiIice-holders for political purpose
has continued without interruption since
the Administration came into place.
The committee Is persuaded that at
present throughout tue country Office
holders are being generally assessed and
called upon 70 contribute FROM their sal
ares to swell the campaign fund Of the
Democratic party. While these assess
ments. 80 generally made and responded
to, add in violation Of the repeated de-
clarations OF the President aud OF the
fundamental principles Of civil-seryice
reform, the committee hardly feels way
ranted in severely animadyerting upon
the conduct OF these subordinates Tor
violating the policy announced by the
President in view Of the fact that that
policy has been departed from and
grossly violated by the President aud
members Of his Cabinet in their alleged
and uneontradicted subscriptions OF
large sums 10 the Democratic National
Committee.
1t is not to be expected that the subor-
dinates will feel justified IN considering
a. sincere the deelArations OF the policy
which are so palpably repudiated by
their anthor, and the fact THAT the Presl-
dent of the United States. IN campaign
in which he has so great personal interest,
contributes notoriously one fifth ola year >
salary for political uses is fairly 10 be
taken by those who depend upon him
for their tenuse of Office as not SIMPLY an
invitation but command to DO likewise.
While perhaps not strictly the junction
Of this committee, II may not be improper
for il 70 commend 90 the consideration
OF tho legal advised Of the President
tie inquiry whether such subscrip-