Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-07
CIVIL SERVICE IN BALTIMORE.
Commissioner Roosevelt Examines Its
workings-the Price of a Lunch.

IsoosfNtlt ks
workings-the Price of q Lunch.
Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt Of tho United States
civil service commission and Mr.. Charles j.
Bolaparte, his Baltimore counsel. spers about
four hours at the Baltimore post ofi,e yes
teTday investigating the political assessments
arG the part taken by the post Office employees
in the recent republican primaries Twelve
empioye. and Postmaster johnson went before
the ialuisitors- Roth Mr. Roosevelt and Mr..
Bousp.r,s took hand in the examination.
The question:. asked were chiefly As 10 politi-
cal assessments made in the building and the
active participation OF employees at the polls on
the DAY o. the primary election. The eramina-
ton was no: entirely as 70 thspart taken by
:he witnesses bu: each was asked If he knew OF
the part -ipatiOa o: his fellow clerks and to
v.Ia. exteI:- Many OF them told the part they
haStaker ard what money they had gwen to
further the primaries They gave me money,
they said. without compulslOn. gave 1t outside
OF the building. aud gave II 20 persons who
were not government employees Ii was used.
they presumed, TO pay room rent, printing OF
tickets and other necessary expenses attending
primary elections
ExAN-NING The POSTMASTER.
The postmaster was asked the same general
questions and whether he had authorized or
sanctioned the leyying of assessments on the
not done 80. but took the precautiOn Of calling
before him all the heads of the departments
under his jurisdiction and cautioned them to
be careful IN observing the civil service law III
this regard.
A NIsUSDERsrANDISG EXISTS.
Mr.. Roosevelt declined to make any state
ment prior TO the submission Of his report of
the Investigation He said a misunderstanding
seems to exist as to the application of the civil
service law to government employees The law
against political assessments. he SAID. applies
equally to those in the classified and uncIassl-
ned service. Ii prohibits the leyylng OF assess
Inents and all who contribute are equally cuipa-
be- Many Of the employees, he said. were
found 10 have been guilty OF miraculous OF
both the spIIlt and letter OF the law. The in
vestlsatioi. concluded MS work at the post
office. but he said. Il expect to return here
again shortly for a further examination into
the actions Of the ungodly.
MIR. BOuaparte said he was only lndSe adVo-
cate Of the court-martial. During his ne xt visit
Mr.. Roosevelt will investigate the custom house
and give his attention also to the interna! rev.
enus office
JACKSON KEPT TEE CHANCE.
During the progress of the examination MIR.
Roosevelt asked the postmaster if he could pro-
cure him light lunch, as he did not care to
stop for dinner. The postmaster sent Jackson.
his eolored messenger, to Eennerts restaurant
and bought four sandwiches and sent them into
the room Mr.. Roosevelt inquired Of jackson
what they cost. Nothing, SIR he answered.
.'But know they did cost something and /
want to pay il, said the commissioner. They
are paid for sir. said Jackson Il cannot
allow this, said the commissioner. land insist
upon knowing what these sandwiches cost"
We'll. sir. said Jackson, III you insist, they
cost 40 cents"
Whereuuon Mr.. Roosevelt handed Jackson a
dollar and told him he could keep the change.
.fack m tnrne1 the VliztppInp silver his