The morning times., 1895-10-10

Circulars are being sent not to the Govern
ment Printing Office only. but 10 all the
departments, the printing office men having
( been most recently pat under the protection
of civil service rules, are not familiar
with the extent TO which they are uppro
tectcd
THEY ARE HELPLESs.
Some of the Republicans are quietly
looking for escape from the levy. The
Democra, IS, of course, are helpless. If they
refuse 10 pay, they are regarded as traitors
and viii 20 with The next turn OF the po
lilical wheel.
Republicans have the chance that their
party VIII win at the next election. In
that case a courageous stand against the
tax viii be counted a virtue. In the mean
time, how ever. the rccalcitrant VIII proba-
bly, lac off the pay roll. He can be dropped
any day without cause.
The circulars received at the Printing
office read as follows:
House of Representatives,
October / 1895.
Dear Sir: Having aSCcriained that you
are dcsirous of contributing 10 the Ohio
Democratic campaign fund, ! take this
opportunity of informing you that | VIII
be al my office. Room 80 Equity Building.
Nos. 3l7 and 3lS Four-and-a half street
norihw est, from IL Il. III. to . =. III. and
from 3 to . and to T. m, " here
l am authorized to receive such contri-
buttons TO be forwarded 10 the State COM
miltcc
You can, If you prefer. send the money
by mail or messenger Instead of bring
ing ii IN person. and Il receipt therefor VIII
be forwarded To you by the next Xtmail.
VERY respectfully
''R. 7. BAKER,
Sec Ohio State Democratic AsSo'n.''
Several Republicans who received this
letter We're puzzled. They had given no
indication of a desire to contribute to
the Ohio Democratic fund; never had
such desire. One OF them said. Il Ger
tainly do not intend to contribute. or all
pure unadulterated cheek think this takes
the cake. Such thing was never done to
Democrats under Palmer; and ! thought.
too. we were now under civil service
rules
1t was considered advisable, however.
10 inquire further. A representative was
sent To Mr.. Baker 1t the Equity building.
He found that gentleman occupying three
pleasant rooms the top floor. Two were
for office use: the other. Il sleeping room,
handsomely furnished. Tie bed WAS a
delight in hright-rolnrcd silks and fluffy
down comforts. with easy chairs. etc,
chosen artistically to match.
HE ADMITS IT
Mr Baker came from the inner office
with pleasant and cXpcctant smile. He
was the man who sent the circular, he said,
and was ready 10 receive any contribution.
Il am secretary OF the Ohio Democratic
Association lie continued, ''and we are
using tie money 10 send voters back 10
help out at the election. Some of the
men, You know, get little pay and can't
afford 10 pay railroad fare. The money
is for that and other purposes. There is
good chance to carry Ohio this fan"
Ills visitor suggested that Democratic
prospects Were brighter since the Indian
spoiiS election.
Yes. that's so."- replied Mr. Baker,
'.aud have n letter just received from
Congressman Layton. I'm his clerk He
says there is good reason 10 believe that
jim Campbell stands an even chance
to win. They had just held i hig Demo
cratic rally in his district. near Columbus,
and lie declares that any man who thinks
the Democrats OF Ohio are not up and fight
ing Is badly deceived IT is only neces-
sary to ge, out The party vote. The Coxcy
craze j. dying out and Democrats are re-
turning 10 the ranks"
"You are getting in returns all right,
aren't you?''
Yes, they are very good. or course.
a man j. not obliged Ia contribute. There
are some, too, who really cannot afford
it,"
ibI a. IflulttdH
"oh. no: bat if he does it's remembered,
aud all that, you know"
This last was delivered with concilia-
tory and inviting tone, calculated to make
HE HAS LITTLE LISTS.
Mr.. Baker said he had got lists from men
in authority at the Government Printing
Office and sent out requests to the per
sons on the lists.
Civil Service Commissioner Harlow, when
asked whether Mr.. Bakers course is
violation OF the civil service law, said
le thought not and cited the late decision
IF Mr.. olney, when Attorney General, in
support of this view. But he asked Major
William II. Webster, chief examiner, TO
look into the ease further.
Mai Webster said the decision allowed
the sending of letters soliciting political
to Government employees on
the Civil Service lists either at their homes
Dr at the Departments where they are en-
ployed. The Commission had taken the |
ground that sending letters to the Depart |
mcnts was illegal. but the Attorney Gen |
,ral was of Il different opinion. The de- |
cison. he said. would seem to make il
legal for a political assessor la go 10 the |
postoffice and drop letter asking for |
money into the slit where the clerk inside |
would get it at once. But If the assessor |
SnOuld laIi lllc Sdtlic NlltT 10 inc clerk |
through the window he would be liable |
for prosecution.
But the opinion of the Attorney General |
in the case OF Mr.. Rickcnbaugh as referred |
%. only applies tn the sending of requests |
for funds by private Individuals Under |
section IL of ,the original Civil Service |
law any Congressman or Government en- |
)loye who is in any way concerned in |
campaign funds from Govern |
ment employees is liable to $1,000 line or
three years Imprisonment. or both.
FINE LEGAL POINT.
The opinion carefully distinguishes he
tween this section and that forbidding any
one to solicit political contributions lin |
any room or building occupied in the dis
charge of official duties by any officer or
employe of the United States mentioned in
this act !
To the suggestion that sending n letter
asking for campaign funds 10 an cInploye at
his office constitutes soliciting in a govern
ment office under the meaning of the law,
Mr.. 0lney replies that the language used is