The Portland daily press., 1888-09-21
EvADING THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
How the Democratic National Conn
nnIttee soIIclts Funds.
Mr.. Thurman Speaks Of His Love fer
colored People.
G. L. champIIn, A Veteran OF the
Postal Service, Removed.

WASHINGTON, Sept 20.-James l.. Norris.
a local lawyer, announces in an interview
printed In "The Washington Post" that he
has been authorized By Chairman Brice, Of
the Democratic National Committee, to open
an Office here for the collection Of campaign
contributions from officials and others. Says
Mr.. Norris
II shall have my Office on Est, near
Thirteenth street. where shall be glad to
welcome and receive contributions or en-
eouragement from Democrats ana affvss.isssssssss
or oihceholders wishing Democratic success,
ana the same viii be promptly remitted TO
the National Committee. have received a
NUMBER Oh contributions from Government
oincials, and some others Of very high posi-
ton have given literally. 1t is clearly un-
derstood, Of course, that in all cases contri-
buttons are wholly voluntary, and that no
penalty Is either threatened or enforced for
refusal Though aetuated by no higher
motives, u Is believed that every. man will
tender some aid for the continuation in pow
er OF an Executive who has given the coun-
try an honest and honorable government,
free from the exactions Of previous admin
istratiOns."
This rather impuden. assertion Of Mr..
Norris Is answered In a caustic letter 10 the
editor OF the Post, written by Edward Nc
Pherson, secretary Of the Republican Con-
gresslonal committee and formerly clerk Of
the House Of Representatives, In which he
clearly shows that the course mapped out by
the Democratic National committee for Nor
Tis Is in direct violation Of law. Mr.. Nc
Pherson says:
| Editor "Post': ~ S'F" - -''0'
Mr.. James L. Norris announces himself in your
i paper Of this date as the authorized representa-
/ i've IN washington Of the National Democratic
| e0mmittee. AS such he states that he should be
glad 70 receive contributions or announcement
from Democrats and all citizens OF Ofice holders
1 wishing Democratic success and the same shall
i be promptly remltted to the National Committee.
SO lar as this invitation applies 10 ONCE holders OF
the United states. Il Is Transaction forbidden by
the laws OF the United States.
Section IL, Civil Service act, January 1G, 1888,
tOrblds any officer emplOye Of the Ualted States
from directly Indirectly soliciting or receiving
1 contributions for any political purpose whatever
| from any other officer or empOye Of the United
Section IA. Of the same act, prohibits anyp
son In the service Of the United States from d.
Il rectly or indirectly giving 10 another person In
the service Of the United States any money i'to
be applied TO the promotion OF any political OBJ
section 15 makes violation Of either Of these
| provisions mlsdemeanor, punishable on convie-
uon Dy poth nne and imprisonment, In the dlsere-
What the Democratic National Committee can
not l4wiuiy 20 by ITSELF y cannot do py another
| are both Senators and Representatives in the
Congress OF the United States. A elit 10 the COM
nttee Is gift 20 each OF the committee, and it Is
clearly within the prohibition Of the law. and
| so Intended. Undoubtedly, officials Of the United
states nave the right TO contribute Of their funds
70 political purposes, but they cannot lawfully do
so 70 committees composed In whole In part, OF
persons In the service Of the United states. The
plain object OF the act was 20 break up and for
ever prohibit all political commerce between
/ classes of United States officials.
Mr.. Norris further states In the interview that
"GOYernment Of1cials and some others Of very
high position have given literally" This may re-
Ter 10 the announced contributions Of the Presi-
| dent and certain members Of his cabinet II
| these Onlcials have made such contributions TO
| the Democratic National Committee, It Is plain
| that they have thereby rendered themselves
| liable TO punishment under this act. and public
decency requires that this fiagrant case shall be
considered by the officers Of the law In this dis
trct IL this law is nc only TO be violated t ought
| 10 be repealed II it Is nt 70 stand upon the
statute book, It ought TO be faithfully enforced.
i Very respectfully