The daily critic., 1890-10-01
RECALLING MARONES CAMPAIGN

what lea 10 the Indictment OF vto-
iators Of the Civu Service Law
The Indictment by the Grand jury Of
John J. Verser and Charles a. Newton
FOR violating the Civil Service law re-
calls the memorable political campaign
in Virginia last fall when General Ma
hone was beaten several lengths iu the
eubelraiorial race by Mr.. Mckinney.
The contest was q lively one and not
wilhstanding the "sinews Of var or
the h0Odie was not lacking in the Re
publican eNchequer Billy Malone
was relegated to private life In
Washington there was an organization
known as the Old Dominion Republi.
can League Of the District of
Columbia, whose headquarters
were at the LenoX House. 21I
Four and a half street northwest The
proprietor Of the house, G. a Newton.
was president; VIC Elam, first vice
president; D. J. Goodwin, second vice
prCsident y. n. Hill, third vice presi
dent; J. J, Nerser, treasurer and VIII
liam Brooke Smith, secretary.
A circular, as the indictment sets
forth, containing all the names of the
officers and inclosed and addressed in
envelopes, was sent TO Miss Margaret
Bingley, a copyist in the Bureau of Edu.
cation Of the Department of the In.
terror, and Paulus T. Glass and John
ID. Ligon, employees in the Government
Printing Office, which read as fol-
lows.
Asa citizen Of Virginia You are Of course
interested in The campaign now I'm progress
I'm our State, which is TO determine It's
present political status. The old Dominion
League was organized TO assist IN the cleo
tiou OF the Republican ticket. and respect
fully asks your cooperation hy your be
coming o member and making such further
contribution to aidin the campaign as your
means will permit
Initiation fee, 81; dues 25 cents Per
month. Respectfully,
G. 4. NEwroNi President.
WM BROOKE SMITH, Secretary.
This circular, as alleged, was sent TO
the parties named September 81. 1889,
and was In direct violation Of the Civil
SeFvice law, In soliciting contributions
for campaign funds from Government
employees
Mr.. John T. Doyle, secretary to the
Civil Service Commission. preferred
charges against Messrs. Newton and
Nerser. They waived an examination
when brought before the Police Court.
and were held to bail for the action OF
the grand jury.
Mr. Nerser. who is in the folding
room Of the Government Printing Office.
was seen by a CRrrIC reporter aud asked
what he had TO say about the indict-
ment brought against him by the grand
jury.
II DO not know Miss Binrley." said
Mr.. Vcrser. II never asked a man for
a cent, and never advised any one 20
pay any money for the campaign fund.
! did not know that any circulars had
been sent out | will say that did re.
ceive SO each from Ligon and Glass.
but II was given by them voluntarily,
and ] handed the money 10 Secretary
Smith, which he nftcrward turned over
20 me as treasurer of the league and for
which the secretary had given me a
receipt ! turned over 20 President
Newton 800 received for Initiation
fees and dues for membership Most
OF II was for that, but some OF Il was for
the campaign fund. II all came, how.
ever, from members Of the league.
During Mr.. BenCdlcts administration
of the Government Printing Onlco there
was nothing unusual In collecting cam.
paicn funds from the employees. .
Mr. Newton is no longer d resident
Of Washington, or proprietor Of the
Leuox House. lie Is, as learned. pro-
prietor Of large hotel, much patron.
tied during the summer months, at
Leesburg, Va. The hotel was erected
by a stock company.
Secretary Doyle said People seem
10 have an idea that the Civil Service
law Is different from any other. II IS
as binding as any other law upon the
statute books, as much so as the law
against murder or housebrcaking.
tell YOU he added, that before these
cases are concluded In court, Il will De
known what the Civil Service law Is
and the penalties attached for its vlo-
lation.