Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-21
CAL MPAIGN ASSESSMENTS.
Mr.. Roosevelt Answers Criticisms Based
on the Toledo Case.
Work Done By the COmmissiOn Re-
viewed-Conviction Secured in
the COurts-Old Charges.

II notice a statement in the papers," said
Mr.. Roosevelt, the civil service commits
sioner. to a Star reporter. ''in reference to
the persons charged in Toledo with having
violated the civil service law, by having col
lected political assessments. One paper as
serts that we have discovered after all the
campaign of 1892 that during that year
two persons solicited campaign contribu-
tions, and remarks that no convictions
have or can be obtained under the commits
sion. In the ninth report of the commits
sion you will find that in 1892, before the
election. the commission discovered effort
after effort in Kansas. South Dakota, Tex
as. New York. Missouri. Michigan, Louis
lana, Alabama, Indiana, Maryland and the
District Of Columbia to collect campaign
assessments in violation of law. In each
case the commission promptly published the
facts, believing that the best possible safe
guard and deterrent. In a number Of cases
we endeavored to secure a prosecution of
the offenders. the secretary of the republi-
can state central committee of New York
and the chairman of the republican state
committee of Indiana being among those
whose prosecution We sought. At the same
time we gave warning that even If the per-
sons concealed their tracks for the time be-
ing they would ever tually be discovered by
Toledo shows the accuracy of this forecast.
Be Ii remembered that these were prose-
cutions CT republicans, asked for and begun
under republican administration. 1t was
the first time the commission had actively
interfered in the midst of political cam
paign, or where prose cutions were request
ed of the representatives of the party in
power for the unlawful collection of cam
paign funds. The effectiveness of the COM
missions interference Is shown by our hav-
Ing procured some twei ty indictments. OF
the prosecutions we asked for some six or
eight were started. In one instance the
jury decided against us and in one the
judge threw us out of court.
I'm three cases in Kentucky we secured
convictions, because of the admirable serv-
ices of District Attorney Jolly, though
the three offenders belonged to the most
powerful political ring in the republican
party. As there may be new members Of
Congress who are ignorant of the Milwau-
kee case, which the Washington Post cites,
/ will refresh their memories. 1t was the
editor of the Washington PcsS, Mr. Hatton,
and Congressman Ewert of North Caro-
lima who brought the charges in reference
to Paul and Shidy in the post office matter
House committee on civil service reported
not cnly that the commission (and they
ingled me out by name) had acted prop
erly, but that it would have been ground
for criticism had we acted otherwise. They
added in conclusion that in this Milwaukee
charges had been brought. We had dis
charged our duty with entire fidelity and
integrity. l mention this fact merely be-
cause new comers in Congress may not
know that Mr.. Hatton's charges have been
already investigated by a committee of the
tees report was to brand his statements
as slanderous untruths."