The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-30
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM AND POLITICS


The unusual political activity among the
clerks and other employees has aroused the
Civil Service Commissioners, and they are talk
ing TO the newspapers about asserting them
selves. One OF them-TbeOdore Roosevelt
saws that they have =" taken under Amusement"
The remarks made by Dan. A. Grosvenor At o
recent meeting OF the Ohio Republican Asso-
citation. Grosyenor, who is brother Of Gen.
Chas H. Grosvenor. Representative, from the
18th Ohio District. is ardent and very out
spoken Republican, who has oratorical gifts,
and believes 10 saying what he thinks fright
out in meetin." lie holds the position Of
Chief Of the Warrants and Records Division Of
the First Comptroler's Ohice Of the Treasury.
At the meeting referred TO he expressed him
self strongly IN favor Of clerks contributing
literally 20 the campaign fund, and doing
whatever lay in their power 10 secure the sue
cess OF their party st the polls His opinion
was not 81 all high OF any man who would not
do this. The Civil Service Reformers are
urging upon the Commissioners that these as
Bociati0ns and such speeches constitute sort
Of duTess upon the clerks who will fear that
their positions will be endangered. or their
promotion retarded, unless they become mem
bers ard contribute freely. They maintain
that for any official TO ask in one Of these
meetings for political contributions from other
members, who are also employees Of the Gov
eminent, ID q distinctly criminal offense, for
brought TO the bar Of justice. On the other
hand. GrosvenOr denies that he is violating
tbe law or has any intention Of doing 50. He
made 40 threats and would not He does not
want 90 come into collision with the Civil Serv-
Zee Commissioner, but, all the same, they can
not shut his mouth. III they prefer charges
against him be is going 10 give them as good
fght as he can. He is going home to vote and
60 work for the ticket IS he feels he has q
night 10 do.
Another man who is reported to have In
Cured the censure Of the Civil Service Com
Inissioners is Samuel r. Strstt0n. President Of
the Union OF Republican State Associations
but as he is 10 the Office Of the Clerk Of the
House Of Representatives, he ls not under their
control, and can only be brought 10 book in
case Of some such distinct violations Of the law
Es can be brought 70 the notice OF the Grand
Jury, which Mr.. StrsttOn 10, Of course, not
going 10 commit.
SO far Mr.. Roosevelt who seems to be acting
for the entire Commission, has conteuted him
self with advising the clerks that they are not
under the least obligation n contribute, and
that their positions or promotion cannot be
affected, one way or the other, either by con-
tTibuting or refusing 70 do so.
The officers Of the Massachusetts, Republican
Cub claim that they are acting strictly within
tie law, aud that they are a. capable of con-
STRUNG that law az the Civil Service Commits
sion.
The Maryland Republican Club people say
that they are not using any eompulsion or
making any threats. They have invited ali
the Maryland clerks to Join, and fixed the dues
Al = cents q month, but very many make vol
uniaTy contributions Of s. or $40, or even
larger amounts. The money il used for legti-
mate campaign expenses in their State.
The Ohio Republican Clnb claims TO be partly
social organization giving excursions and
having music, TecitatiOns and singing, as well
Es speeches and other business at it's meetings
There has been no thought Of blacklisting those
who refuse 10 contribute or 10 go home TO vote
The lRdiznizus say the same thing.
The Republican COngression Committee
enpAatically deny any connection with tn,
STATE Associations or that any money has beer
collected through them. Ex-Firgt Assistant
POstmaster-GeneTal CiaTkson says that the en-
tire amount received by the committee from
Government employees lie SO, Of which So
came from certain high official and the re
msiader from his Private Secretary.