New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-01
CLETELAND AND ms cUNIRIBUT1ON.
THE SCOPE AND PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SER

THE SCOPE AND PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SER
VICE ACT OUTLINED BY MR.. MCPHERSON.
Washington, sept. so lspcciaD.-' The Washington
Capliol,r whose editor sncczcs whenever he suspects
that the Administration has taken snut published
leading editorial a week ago defending Cleveland
$4,000 contribution to The Democratic campaign
fund and taking Edward Mcpherson TO task for mis-
representing ths scDpa of the Civil Service law respect
ING such contributions. To-day The Ca4tol' prints
Mr. Mcpherson reply, which is 50 clear an eA-
positIon of the law that deserves 10 be rcpubished
He writes:
Since the passage of the act of 1893, I have IN
oyerv way discouraged its violation, aud any state
meni 10 The contrary in your aricl Of the 2Jd Is in
correct The Clapp Committee OF loof 10 Whlsn Aon WI
referred was tie agent OF COMMITTEES on when mere
,sar no Office dcrs Of the United sta c., and wnch
therefore, had right 10 receive cOnrlDu'!oms' I'LL
wear both of the National committees contain InlIed
saes Office holders and contributions cannot be law
fully made to either by any officials OF the thlied
states Private citizens have OF course The ngnt 10
contribute 10 ther. The Republican Congressional
Committee. of which have been secretary ior n many any
years has my certain knowledge, nor received one
cent from any Office holder Of the United states G slnSe
the passage of the act of lSe3 Upon me 1,ner h5
rendered a. they sometimes were, IN Ignorance OF ibe
Your point that Senators and Representatives are
not Included in the prohibitions of The Civii : rvee
act, met by the fact that in the eleventh ana iour
teenth sections they are specifically brought "i'hlh
hi. Is marked point Of difference between the
act OF 157c and the act OF l.s3 The el'Xcnln sec
tlon Of The Of loS3 provides that NO senator or
Lcprcs alive Territorial ucleg4e OF thf OOHeic3n
or Scna Or Representative. or delcga c-ceci shan
directly ndi ectly. solicit or receive contilouiionS
or su sciiI tlons7 The fourteenth section prohibits
any officer clerk or other person In the service OF me
/ Uniicd states from giving handing over 10 any
Oth.r officer. clerk other person In The service OF
tie United States. TO any senator. Representative or
Territorial delegate any money other valuable h!ns
to be applied TIE promotion OF any political OBJECT
whatever"
These PROVISIONS very searching anh sweeping
and reach every executive, judicial military or naval
officer They are more searching than met the views
Of the IcmOclaiic Senator'S who "anird 10 restrict
the prohibition TO executive officers, clerks ana EN-
ployes of the United Saes.7 The act of 1876 did not
Include Senators or Representatives but the act oil
1883 does distinctly include them.
Personally. care not whether the fresWent or MS
Cabinet or his suboIdnates give or do not give 10
the Dcmocra c National Committee except as ] care
to the law regarded by those charged with It's
enforcement.
As for indictments, you appear 10 nave lorgOIien
that IL required conviction 10 vindcae the act oi
1876 That aci sreered at. a. the act OF 1883
f. sDccled at General Curtis, OF New ork, an oiice
holder United states became. while II was law
tie tlea urer Of a pOflca committee. To that com
mittee another United states Office older madc ray
mcnt. General Curtis did not receive the money
and did not personally know Of the payment a
subOd nate acting for the treasurer. received the
money and gave the receipt But General Curtis was
Indicted for tie act and he convicted. on the
ground that the act Of his agent was lis act. and
that the payment was In violation Of law. He was
fined ~ 600. The supreme Court Of the United states
on apTeaI volume 1O6 rag 371l held the statute 10
be constitutional and General Curtis raid the fine
II may require example Ike unto this TO vindicate
In the District Of Columbia the act of 1883