New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-01
CASE UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE LAH
THE COMMITS .IOSERs OBJECT TO CERTAIN RE,
QUESTS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS.

QUESTS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS.
Washington, Oct. 31.-A letter has been written ~
Theodore Roosevelt acting president Of the Civil
Service Commission, addressed to Attorney General
Miller which is In substance as follows: THE Com.
mission forwards herewith copy Of testimony taken
by it in reference to an alleged effort by samuA
Thomas, treasurer Of the Republican State COMMITTEES
of NewYOrk, to assess employees in the Treasury D.
partment Washington. 1t appears that II. A. Dob
son Luther W. Covil and Andrew II. Stamp an
clerks i'm the sixth Auditors Office that or about
October 81, as shown b. the pOstmark Of the Wash
ington postofIce the letters In question, Messn
Dobson, Covill and Stamp received each a letter
from the Republican state Committee OF Ncw-York
This letter printed; the signature, samuel
Thomas. Treasurer being also In print, and It hal
AT its head the names OF the chairman OF the Execu,
tive Committee. the treasurer, the secretary and the
chief clerk OF the committee. 1t contained request
for contribution to dcfray the legitimate and neces
sary expenses OF the campaign In New-lork. No
amount WAS specified for contribution. the request
merely being for such amount a. the receiver might
choose to give. Enclosed was "A stamped envelope
with on IT,, in printing, the address, Ssmuel
Thomas. Fifth Avenue Hotel. New-lork City,.
Clearly. therefore, the New-Yorl1 state Committee
through Samuel Thomas and through whoever has been
concerned in addressing the letters has been soliciting
by letter Government employees In building occupied
in the discharge Of official duties. The commission
has always held that the prohibition to solicit in any
manner whatever in Government building includes
solicitation by letter II Is, therefore, OF the opinion
that the offence committed by Samuel Thomas and
merriam, other members OF the Republican state Com
nttse ~ New York, comes under Section IL OF tha
Civil Service act AMI has the honor TO forward Tho
papers to YOU for such action as you may deem BEST
Those parts OF Mr.. Thomass letters held by the com
mission to bring them within the law prohibiting solid
tatlons read follows
1.-THE Republican state Committee respectfully In.
v,tes from You such contribution you may be will
Ing to make toward deaying the legitimate and neces-
sary expenses OF the important campaign now IN
nrogress i'm this state. Checks may be drawn 70
order OF the treasurer and transmitted In the mclosed
envelope
Mr.. Roosevelt to-day. in commenting on the Com'
MISSIONS action in the Thomas case, SAID "Inis
the first time the Civil Service Commission has ever
actively in,erfered 10 prevent the collection OF poht
teal assessments during Presidential campaign l"'
Commission has been obliged to suggest the indict
ment Of a number Of cbarmen and officers OF Repuo'
ucon state and county committees but am cenghta
70 say that nothing in any way rejecting On 'le
Republican National Committee mas YET "en
laid before 30 far it seems e!ohu
doubt true that the Republican National eommit'es
has been carefully respecting the law. ms Is
pleasing contrast what was done by the Democrauc
National Committee four years ago when they not only
assessed the postal clerks and lettercarers In The
local offices but when actually the chairman. Mr.
parnum came down to Washington and took up hIs
quarters here with the avowcd purpose OF seeing per
sonally 10 the .ment OF the thousands Oh Gov
eminent employees In the departments"
Attorney General Miller said he had Just received
the papers In the case and had not yet had time To
examine them. lie added that he would investigate
this particular case himself. but certainly would not
act until Mr.. Thomas has had full opportunity to
answer the charges against him. There is nothing
unusual in this course, It Is the practice Ia all
cases OF this kind,
Secretary Charles Foster. in whose department are
the clerks from whom the contributions were re-
questcd listened attentvcy while reporter read TO
him the letter sent by the Civil Service Commission
10 the Attorney General. The secretary was inclined
TO think that the construction put on the law was
rather faretched and would not hold with reasonable
people. He held that there was no violation Of law
In public building.
Charles W. Ilackttt the chairman Of the Republican
state Committee said Tribune reporter last night
that the Republican state Committee would not pay
attention to the proceedings that are 10 pe
brought yainSt General samuel Thomas the treasurer
o! IN. committee. The circulars asking for cam
pagn subscriptions, and In regard 10 which NJ
Roosevelt finds 81 much fault" he said. were sent
out BY the state Committee Ia the Republicans whose
names found the rolls OF the regular orsani-
cations. II any Of them have reached Federal EN-
ploye, II Is because they are members Of clubs and
The letters got TO them I'm that way