The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-01-15
OUR LEGISLATORS RILEDD.
They Resent the Presence of the Third
House, even Federal Officers Asked to
vacatc-Some of Our Citizens Kit.
are Forbidden to Leave Their Post
without Special Leave of Absence.
At the Capitol.

The city OF Pierre is not only comsor-
ture, but is crowded with federal office
holders. From Senator Pettlgrew down
through the land office to the CROSS
roads postmaster, all are on hand to do
their masters dirty work. TO free
themselves from the sitting influence OF
this mob the following resolutions were
adopted by the House:
Whereas, 1t has come to the knowl-
edge OF this house that q number OF its
members have been repeatedly and con-
tinuously annoyed by bribes offered,
unlawful promises made, and ilnpro-
per erinducements have been held cut to
attempt to influence the votes and
actions OF its members in matters per-
taiaing therci,l.
Whereas, These corrupt offers have
been openly and almost publicly made,
calling for immediate action Oh our
part IN defense OF the right and dignity
OF the house, therefore.
Resolved, That a committee OF five be
appointed to investigate these charges,
In the senate the following pertinent
resolutions were introduced, though Of
course from the complication OF that
body, not adopted:
Whereas, The statutes OF the United
States, notably the civil service law,
prohibits public officials in the employ
OF the government from using their in
fiuence as such government officials in
manipulating elections; and.
Whereas, The nationl platform OF the
party in power pledges such party to a,
rigid enforcement OF the civil service law: ::
and,
| Whereas, the presence at this time at
the state capital Of not less than twen-
ty public servants OF The government,
including United States senators, mem
bers OF the house OF Representatives,
registers and receivers OF United States
land Offices, United States District at
torneys, United States senate employees
and other functlonai'ies, has the appear
ance OF utter disregard CT the laws OF
| the nation and the interests OF the
people; therefore,
| Resolved, that a sense OF prOprlcty
should dictate to these public servants
that they return at once to their place
OF duty and leave to the direct represent
tatives OF the people the duty OF select
ing IL United States senator uninflucnced
by official power and promise Of poiiti-
cal rewards.
| From reading these one is led to en-
quire to whom OF our citizens can this
apply. Are federal officers from our
section OF the globe negecting ther
duties and violating their oath OF office
while trying to influence the action o
the peoples representatives? A careful
perusal Of the following extracts from q
letter OF instruction issed by tie genera
land office to registers and receivers
may enlighten our readers:
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 27, 1880
To Registers and Receivers In future
when leave of absence is desired for az,
purpose, timely application therefor
> starting specially the reasons and eli
, cumstances rendering such absence net
essary should be addressed and ioi
warded directly TO this Office. All apDl
cation will be laid before the head OF Il!
: department with such recommends
tions as the circumstances OF the cas-
may warrant, and the leave VIII b
granted or withheld as NAV seem jas.
and proper to the honorable secreta,.
} OF the interior. But in the meantIn
and until the decision OF the department
is received the officer will remain in til
,, proper discharge OF his official duties.
! x ):
5 In the case OF register or receiver sue
5 officer shall place his office in charge {
Il competent and reliable clerk, fu
! whose acts he will be held responsib]
!, under his official bond, etc. i
4 Which clerk shall take the prescribe
+ outh, etc. In no case can the resiste
= leave his office in charge OF the receive
and Iice versa.
t In this connection deem it proper t
refer to the fact that Some officers hay
: been in the habit al absenting then
u selves from official duty for short pc
:, iods without proper authority, and /
n state that the ilnpropriety and incon
q patibility with the proper and faithf'
. discharge OF official duty Is mamfes
and that in future unauthorized a.
: sence, for however short IL period, wi
o not be tolerated. LEWIS A. GRoFF,
:, Commissioner