Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-27
Report on Alleged Violation OF Civil
Service Law In New York

oClVASS Ao w AZ 4NC~ ohAs
Civil Service commissioner Roosevelt
has submitted to the full commission the
report of his recent investigation into the
alleged violations Of the civil service la~
in the New York custom hou just prior
to the last presidential election. He says
In investigating the alleged violations OF
Law against making political assessments
have made more or less complete exami
nation into the conduct of the offices Of
collector. surveyor and naval officer Of the
port of New York. during the presidential
election of 1888. In the naval Office under
Burt the investigation goes to show the
Law was observed absolutely both in letter
ana spirit. As far as can find out moth
Jog like political coercion was tolerated
Subordinates were treated ~ American
citizens ought to be. required to do their
full duty to the government and when this
vas done left free to exercise their judg-
ment in political matters.
In the collectors Office, under Magone,
there is apparently . widespread but not
universal and by no means Away successful
effort TO evade the Law by persuading or
forcing republican clerks to contribute.
Some list of the republican clerks mus
have been kept because they are especially
singled out for moe or less indirect solic-
itation, either personally or by circulars
and there 10 the testimony of one witnesi
that this solicitation Is undertaken by the
express command of Magone's private sec
retary. There is nothing 10 show, however
that Magone was aware of his secretary Z
action.
On the other hand. there Was no active
coercion of these clerks. Many Of them
refused to contribute, but nevertheless
they we're not molested on account of their
conduct. An effort to make them con-
tribute was always made indirectly, and
usually so suardedly - to make it dificult
to say il the law was actually violated in its
letter.
In the surveyors office, under Neattie
contributions, as far as shown by the testi
mony Of twenty eight witnesses, was uni
versal. and democrats generally gave money
Of their own accord. All Republican clerks
we're practically forced against their will
to pay what we're in reality political assess
ments for the benefit of party so which
they were opposed. This was accomplished
by a very ingenious acd widespread system
Of veiled threats and covert intimidations
80 we'll carried out and completely success.
full that even the most unwilling of clerki
whom I examined in the end we're forced
to pay. Every method was resorted to to
extort contributions while avoiding actual
demand for money.
Some witnesses were forced to contribute
by being made very unconf or'able in theil
work until they did so. Other witnesse.
testify that they were threatened that il
they failed to contribute special agent
| would be put to watch them, and make ou
cases for their discharge. others were in
| formed tha. black lists were kept at head
quarters Of all who failed to pay. Other
were merely asked again and sesin il the,
cared TO contribute. Generally these ques
ton. we're asked with much pretense Of
personal friendliness ard sometimes advic,
was given openly, perhaps accompanied b,
scarcely hidden threat. Campaign circu
Ia demanding funds were sent to all tn
employees The man collecting these fund
WAS r Jordan, Liberty street. His card
we're a'so sent, sometimes several times 3
the employees. and on several occasion
they we're distributed by hand. FINAL
some more refractory men we're told Out
right that if they wished to avoid troubl
and retain their place they had best pay
So much pressure vas brought to bear o
the employees that in the end they all sus
cumbe and paid the money.
do not charge the head Of the ofncs
Beattie. with completely in this wrong 3,
ing; but acts we're committed in the ofie
under his control. According to the unai
imous testimony of the twenty odd Repul
lican clerks examined. there exist d in fh
surveyors office 4 system of combined e!
tor,ion and coercion, seemingly organize
With . minute thoroughness 20 comprehel
sive a. to take in every one Of the u
: merous subordinates whom I had befoi
, me. and completely successful in the artail
mens Of its objects. Such widespread II
far-reaching evasion and violation Of Il
Law speak bat i'll for the vigilance
/ those vhnss duty IL was to see il enforcs'
. Roossvsls made specific recommends.iol
In the cases Of number Of employee ,