The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-11
Cleveiand's Fiscal Course a
Party Disaster.
COIN FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES.
Commissioner Roosevelt Says That
Levying Assessments on Office.
Holders Does Not Go.


are angry with Secretary Hoke Smith and
are criticzng him openly for an interview
in which he asserts that the returns from
Georgia show that the fullest Democratic
vote was polled in those localities where
the local Democratic leaders stood up
most manfully for the policy of Sound
money" as illustrated by the record of
the Cleveland administration. He himself
champioped that cause from every stump,
and notes results that satisfy him that DO
other position should be taken on the
money question by the Democracy but the
one illustrated by the Cleveland policy.
This is tantamount to saying that the
Presidenthas no thought of making even
any notifications of his money policy, and
coming from member of his Cabinet.
and a representative Southern member at
that this declaration in the Southern
States is certain to attract attention. The
Democracy is confessedly in great straits
in North Carolina. Virginia and West Vir-
ginia. Desertions to the Populists have
been numerous and the apathy among
those still adheriug to their colors through
force of old affiliations is apparent on
every hand. The Democratic managers
are having all that they can do to arouse
The money question is virtually the only
question in these States. The tariff cuts
but a small figure, and, while the income
tax is approved, it is Of little consequence
in itself. But the people through their
local leaders have been clamoring for free
silver coinage. and assurances had been
given them that the administration, despite
the repeal of the purchasing clause Of the
Sherman act and the Presidents known
personal views. was in sympathy with the
demand for rehabilitation of silver. Now
comes Secretary Smith with declaration
which is accepted as putting new face on
things, and which the Populist managers
are sowing broadcast over the South as
evidence that the admin istration has no
friendly intentions oward silver, and that
the only way for the free-coinage men of
that section to secure anything is to vote
the Populist ticket and help place that
party in power.
Some new reports are already coming up
from North Carolina. Two weeks ago
one of the most prominent Republicans in
the Tar Heel State while on visit to
Washington gave it as his opinion that the
Pepulistic-Republican com bnation down
there would make but a poor showing at
the polls. He had opposed the fusion and
ascribed the sorry situation to the blunder
which he thought his party had made.
Yesterday letter was received here from
this same gentleman In which he stated
that the combination was beginning to ex-
hibit surprising life and vigor. and he gives
it as his opinion that the fusion ticket
could win in five of the Congressional dis
tricts. The Populists, he says, are draw
ing heavily from the ranks of the Dem
oeracy, and this one issue of free silver
coinage is the thing that is bringing the
changed condition to pass.
MFrom present indications the Civil Ser
vice Commission Will be busy with the in
vestigation of cases of assessments for
political purposes for some time to come.
Speaking of the prevalence of these
charges, Commissioner Roosevelt said TO-
day:
''We have had more trouble on account
OF these cases this year than In any other
year, even during which a Presidential
campaign occurr ed. | am glad to have
chance to say something about the matter.
Under the decision of the Attorn ey-Gen-
eral we cannot proceed against those per-
sons who solicit by letter. However, we
will publish broadcast what is being done
and get the guarantee to employees that
they need not donate one cent. II
in any way molested, we shall
try to criminally prosecute those
who modest them. We shall present
tine matter to Congress and urge as siren
uously as possible that legislation be had
TO punish solicitation by letter as we'll as
in person. During the past month we
have had two decisions favorable to our
position-one in Ohio and the other in
Kentucky. and both of the offenders have
been heavily fined. If we can get at the
offenders we will have them punished as
vigorously as possible. / want to say that
no man in office, whether Democrat or
Republican, is unde- any obligation to
contribute to campaign fund, and cannot
be molested in any way by his superior
officers for refusing. This assessment
business is mere blackinail, and we intend
to make war on 1t in every way possible.
We intend to conduct complete investi-
cation of these cases."
There are number of offices where
complaints of assessments have been
made, and these will be investigated by