Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-24

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My Dear Sir:-The organized democracy
Of Alabama is now engaged in a Mfe-and-
death struggle with the enemies Of good
government, and the contest being fought
out is one of the most heated ever known
in our political history. Owing to failure
and business depression such as has never
been experienced in the south before and
the consequent unprecedented scarcity of
money our people are not able to provide
the means needed to meet the legitimate
expenses of the campaign. In this hour of
distress and of supreme political peril our
party leaders have determined to call on
each Alabamian holding position under the
federal government and embracing every
one holding office through political favor, or
who, under civil service law. Is occupying a
place charged to our state, and to solicit
contributions from EACH Our state commit
tee has requested me to take charge of
these subscriptions and to see that every
Alabamian here is given an opportunity to
contribute. Heretofore We have received
only very small sums from this source, but
our necessities now are greater by far than
ever before and the demands upon our party
are vastly more pressing and urgent. 1t is
earnestly hoped and expected that the re-
sponse to this invitation will be prompt and
that 1t will be liberal to the full extent of
each ones ability to make it. Assuring you
that all Alabama democrats will appreciate
whatever aid is extended the party and
trusting that you, realizing the gravity of
the situation will send me by check or in
currency the fullest donation you can man
age to make and that you will do so in a
very few days, beg to subscribe myself
Yours very truly,
(SigneO c. NJ SHELLEY.
p. S.-Record Of the amount subscribed
by each one will be duly made and reported
to our state executive committee at Mont
gomery. unless otherwise requested. and
where parties have already subscribed to
their state and county committees direct
they are requested to favor me with the
ay,1
the amount of subscription 30 that proper
credit will be entered here. As the election
takes place on the first Monday In August
prompt action is Indispensable. c. NJ s.
The words Henry I. Brown. record and
pension division" were written in the same
handwriting as that Of the signature and
initials. The rest of the letter was type
written.
to accede to the piteous appeal of Mr. c.
NJ. Shelley, and paid no more attention to
the matter, believing that the civil service
law, Of which the President Of the United
states has been such a firm, enthusiastic
and valiant an exponent. merely required
of him strict attention to his duties and
the efficient performance thereof, and that
the protecting qualities Of the statute would
prevent the anger of disappointed political
managers from affecting his relations to
the government that employed him. few
days afterward, however. Mr.. Brown re-
ceived a curt communication, Of which the
following is copy:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, d. c., July 21, 1894.
HENRY l. BROWN,
Clerk of class 81 900,
in the record and pension office, is hereby
discharged, to take effect July 25. 1894.
By order Of the Secretary OF War.
JOHN TWEEDALE,
Chief Clerk
Mr.. Brown says 1t did not take him a
second to determine the reason Of discharge.
and he Immediately concluded to bring the
entire matter to the attention Of the proper
authorities. He is a short. stout good look
ing and intelligent colored man. He was
met by representative Of The Star this
afternoon shortly after he had filed the
letter he received from Congressman Shell
ley with the civil service commission.
Il was appointed a clerk in the record
and pension office on September T. 1891"
said Mr.. Brown. My appointment was the
result of my passing the civil service ex-
animation. Last February was promoted
1 have always held a high record for eff
cheney in my work. and at the last grading
my percentage was 81. While 1t was known
that there would be some reduction Of the
force in the records and pension division,
the announcement was officially made that
dismissais would take place among those
whose efficiency was the lowest I know a
man who is still employed there whose per-
centage was less than 20 at the last rating
but there is no necessity in my going any
further into the record part of my work
some time ago went down to Alabama on
two weeks leave and while there was asked
TO support Col. Oates for the governorship
/ declined to do this OF course as 1 am a
republican and Col Oates was nominated
by the democratic party. / was told by a
gentleman in Evergreen, Ala, that If did
not support Gen. Oates I would lose my
position under the government. This was
not threat on his part, but was intended
as friendly warning, but didn't propose
to sacrifice my political principles by any
thing of the kind. When / received Col
Shelleys demand for contribution to the
democratic campaign fund Of Alabama I
refused to comply with it. have no doubt
in the world that my discharge from Office
was brought about by such refusal. There
Is not colored man from Alabama left
In the record and pension division, because
they all refused to subscribe to the fund