Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-10-04
OFFICIAL ExTORTION.
a Mugwump Sheet on CiviI-Service Re
form in Dakota.

form in Dakota.
The DAILY News has received the fol-
lowing letter:
GRAND VIEW, D. r, Sept. II, 1sSS-To the
Editor: What do you think OF the incloSed: This
office pays So q month and takes all of one
mans time, using a room renting at = a
month, coal in the winter at $3.50 ton. Any
how, what is Civi.-Service reform: Ihave al
ways been Democrat on principle, but what
Is thiss Look at The Federal officers at the
head OF the list Such an outrage has not been
practiced but by this same gang e., Church
adherents- Yours respectfully,
JOSEPH ]. ANGUS. Postmaster
"P. ST. am informed that the ofice-holders
that do not contribute will be bounced
j. J. A."
Mr.. Angus sends with his letter the
following epistle:
''HEADQU ARTERS OF DEMOCRATIC TERRI
rORIAL COMMITTEE, ARMOUR D. T., Sept TO-
ISSS.-Postna1stsrs GRIND Tisc, d. T-Dear
Sirs: The Territorial Democratic Executive
Commit se has instructed me to call upon all
Federal and Territorial officials in the Third
legisla.ive district 10 contribute at least s
per cent. OF their annual salary toward defray-
ing the expenses OF the present campaign.
Acting under these instructions, you are re-
q'4ested to at once contribute the amount due
undersigned. Very respectfully,
GEORGE 5. MATHEWS.
Committeeman for Third district
From the printed head of the sheet
upon which the above is written it ap-
pears that the Democratic Territorial
Committee of Dakota is composed of
the following members:
Charles H Freeman, Elk Point; Otto Pee
miller, Yankton: G. S. Mathews, Armour; d.
5. Gldden, Sioux Falls; F. NJ. Hammer,
Mitchell; John Brennan, Madison; George
Henry, Volga; J. E Carpenter, Woonsocket;
7. W. Child, Mellette; A. H. Yost, Faulkton {;
]. D. Hilger, Pierre; H. J. CHASER, Big Stone;
james Ringrose. Aberdeen; a. H. Marsh, Brit
ton; Chauncey L. Wood, Rapid CITY; w. j.
Thornby, Hermosia; Ben Bear, Deadwood;
Alexander d. Walker Elleudale; j. w. Won
Media, Fargo; G. B. Vallandigham, Valley
City; John De Groat, Hillsboro; f. r. Fulton,
Grand Foras; NJ. X Ma-rinan, Grafton; W. w.
Miller, w alfalfa; J. G. Thompson, Bottineau;
a. J. McCabe, jamestown; L. w Hartman,
Minnewaukon; Joseph Hare. Bismarck;
George Peoples, Mandan; James Collister,
Dickinson.
The chairman of this committee is
Martin Ryan. of Fargo; the treasurer,
ID. S. Glidden, of Sioux Falls; the sec
rotary, Oscar P. Kemp, of Watertown.
These men, together with j. E. Car
penter, of Woonsocket; T. w. Child.
of Mellette; F. r. Fulton, of Grand
Forks, and w. w. Miller, of Walhal-
la, form the executive committee.
Now, what are all these people do
ing? They are demanding at least 3
per cent. of the annual salary of every
Federal official in Dakota. Those Off
Gals understands least one of them
does-that they must either pay the
sums demanded or lose their positions.
What do the friends of Civil Service
reform think of this precious scheme
to eXtort money from employees of the
Government? What does Hon. Grover
Cleveland think of it?
We have the word of Mr.. Angus that
Federal officials are engaged in this
sandbagging business. Let them be
exposed and cast out of the public
service which they dishonor. Let
Treasurer Glidden be compelled to dis
gorge the forced contributions which
now jingle in his money-boX. Let the
whole matter be sifted thoroughly.
What is Civil-Service reform"
asks Mr.. Angus. We have had the
matter very clearly defined by Presi-
dent Cleveland. He is said by some to
be reasonably consistent Civil-Service
reformer himself. it is within his
power to stop the streams of money
which are being forced from the peck
cts of Federal office-holders all over
this country by Democratic politicians.
He must do so or else admit that he is
in full sympathy with the spoilsmen of
his party.
Civil-Service reform in Dakota is ex-
periencing very chilly weather just
Chicago Nca0s (.Nu0.).