Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-10
MR.. ROOSEVELT TALKS
He Has Something to Say About the New
York Campaign.
Violations of the Civil Service Law
Assessments Levied ON Cow
crnment Clerks.

Civil Service Commissioner Theodore
Roosevelt. who returned from his Vacati IN.
which was spent upon his ranch In the far
west. yesterday, was at his desk in the
commission building, at Sth and f. streets
bright and early this morning. He had a
delightful time. and was already plunged
in work when The Star reporter call ad
upon him. When his attention was called
to the published statement made recently
that he was being seriously regarded in
New York city as a candidate for the
mayOralty by the republicans and good
government clubs, Mr.. Roosevelt said he
had first heard of the suggestion while in
the west. -Four or five copies of the New
York Sun, containing the statement you
allude to, Wee sent to me- he remarked
and l also received several kilograms of
inquiry. IT was entirely new to me- and /
knew absolutely nothing about the existence
OF such a movement. | received at the same
time number of kilograms, some urging
me TO run and Others urging me not u:
was unaware that my name was even con-
sidered until informed as 1 have told YOU
Ih"re Is nothing more to say. Under any
circumstances | should have been most re-
luctant 20 enter the race for the Inayoralty
of New York. l very earnestly hope for the
election OF Mr.. Strong and the whole good
government ticket"
The New York Campaigs.
Would YOU mind telling what YOU think
about the pending gubernatorial contest in
New York. and its probable outcome?" ven
tured the reporter.
Il do not believe it would be proper for
me. occupying the position / do. to give ex-
preston TO opinions on a strictly political
campaign Of course, ] am a republican
and hope that Senator Hill will be defeated
not only on that account. but because of
Th.A Gf.s
don't know what effect Mp. Everett T.
NheeIers campaign as candidate will
have upon the result. However. Ia much
prefer 10 say nothing about politics."
Inc Star reporter suggested that Mr.
Roosevelt might have something to say
about the civil service commission.
Political Assessments.
Yes. l have" he said. in his blunt
straight way, so characteristic of him. "We
are having trouble with the Treasury De
partment. but just now we are having
most trouble over this matter of political
assessments. | don't recall any non-presi-
Dental election year in which we have had
nalf so much. The recent decision of the
Department of Justice that n letter sent To
a government emplOye requesting him to
contribute money for campaign purposes
did not come within the provisions of the
law prohibiting the asking of funds for
political reasons from the clerks has mill
In Its efforts to stop the foul business The
law, to my mind. plainly covers cases
where demands for contributions are made
by letter; but the Attorney General thinks
differently.
THE commission is very anxious to get
decision by the courts. Investigations were
ordered today into two big Cffices. outside
of Washington, where the employees are
being called upon to subscribe to campaign
funds. IL We can get no other satisfaction
We can at least warn the clerks and en-
ployes that their official positions will rot
be in any way jeopardized by IL refusal to
accede to the demands for contributions
and We shall lay the matter as strongly
possible before the President and Con-
gresS.
Did not the commission request the
Attorney General to bring case in which
the matter OF political assessment of "a
government clerk by letter might be set
tied%' inquired the reporter.
1t did, replied Mr.. Roosevelt, but the
Attorney General has not done So AS /
happen TO be speaking of points of differ
ence with Mr.. Olney, I womb also like to
express my hearty admiration Of his course
during the riots. Senator Davis, President
Cleveland and the Attorney General Ger
tainly deserve well of he country for their
action at that critical time