The evening times., 1895-10-22
PAY THE POLITICAL PIPER
Government Printing Office En-
.pIOyes Forwarding Funds.
NEW YORK BUREAU OPENED
Public Printer Benedict's Friend,
Grocer Connolly, Gets I'm $500 In "a
Few Hours-The Collection Entirely
Within the Law-Employes Don't
Like II, But Submit Nevertheless.

The levy of assessments for political pur-
poses is going on with Increased activity
In the departments. This applies with es
pccial force to the Government Printing
Office, which up to this year has not been
under tile senblancc OF civil service pro-
lection. There is, however, no practical
difference made by the fact that the civil
service rules have been extended to the
office during the past summer.
There is 10 law especially exempting
employees who are appointed under the civil
service examination from the exaction OF
contributions. The enactmcnts are wholly
directed toward preventing the taking OF
tribute from any Government employees up-
der the force OF official pressure or while
the clerks are in their offices. The objec-
ton to the collection in the offices seems
to be mainly that IL would interfere with
public business.
The evasion OF any and all legislation has
been shown to be perfectly easy. The Civil
Service Commission does not even take in
terest enough In the matter 10 investigate
except when furnished with tOlerably CON
elusive evidence of violation of the law.
The district attorney looks TO the Civil
Service Commission TO furnish the facts
upon which any Indictment under the pen
atty clause Of the act or January 10, 1883,
could be obtained. or course, any private
citizen could call the matter to the atten-
-tiOn of the grand jury, but there Is no like
lihood at all that anybody will As the
Civil Service Commission will only prom
Use to investigate upon conditions not
likely TO be met, and the attorney will
only move upon information furnished by
the commission, 1t is not likely anything
will he done Ia save employees from the tax.
COLLECTION BUREAU OPENED.
new bureau for the collection OF cam
paign funds was opened yesterday at Col.
La wrcnce Gardner's office, Room 10, In
the Ames building, No. 141O G street
northwest. James Z. Connolly, the grocer
at First and X streets northwest, is 1T
charge. He came here in Clcveiand's first
administration as an enployc of the Gov
ernment Printing Office, and is u close
personal friend OF Public Printer Benedict.
He has been engaged every year in the col
lection OF campaign funds, aud is very sue
cessful. IL is work lie does not seek, and
as the opening of the bureau has been un-
usually late this year, he thought some
body else had been selected to look after
the matter.
He said last night that large sums had been
received last year, and he hoped, although
it was much later than usual. that even
larger amount would be obtained this year.
During the first three hours after the OF
NdS bpsu SshHciiN
about $500.
SIGN THEIR DEATH WARRANTS.
or course. as Mr.. Connolly is not i'll any
way connected with the government, he
is entirely free from the force OF any law.
He is acting by the authority of James W.
Hinckley, chairman OF the New York Demo
cratic State committee. and unquestionabiy
mas the moral support OF every Democratic
Congressman from that Staie. Men who
refuse to contribute may with reasora BILE
certainty be supposed TO sign their own
official death warrants Yet the whole
operation is entirely legal.
Mr.. b. F. Clayton, secretary OF the
Interst ate Democratic Association said
last night that il need not be expected that
any law would prevent gentlemen employed
i'll the Departments from using their money
for the support OF their parties. If ever
that should in any way be prevented it
would practically put an end to govern
ment with the aid of party orga nization.
Mr. Clayton said that part of the money
collected by the New York bureau would
be sent to New Jersey nd Maryland. There
are no special collection agencies for those
States.
Some of the employees object very serious
ly 10 being subjected to these levies. but
they have no relief except TO grunible.