Evening star., 1895-10-10
SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS
The Ohio Democratic Association Asks
Employees to Give Money.
Question Whether the Solicitation is
Not an OHense Under the
Law.

1t has come to the knowledge of the civil
service commission that funds are being
solicited from employees of the government
for campaign uses in Ohio. Both demo-
Gratis and republicans in the government
printing office have received copies of the
following circular letter on the stationery
of the House of Representatives:
Dear Sir: Having ascertained that you
are desirous of contributing to the Ohio
democratic campaign fund, take this op-
portunity of informing you that 1 will be
at my Office, Room 40. Equity building, Nos
tl7 and 3I9 AZ street northwest, from IL
am. to . pm. and from to ) and to s
pm, where ] am authorized to receive
such contributions to be forwarded to the
state committee.
you can, if you prefer. send the money
by mail or messenger instead Of bringing it
in person. and receipt therefor will be
forwarded to you by the next mail.
Very respectfully,
"R. 4. BAKER,
Sec Ohio State Democratic Asso'n.''
Under the original civil service law any
Congressman government emplcye who
is in any way concerned In collecting cam
paign funds from government employees is
liable 10 5000 fine or three years imprison-
ment or both.
Wher Star reporter called at Mr. Bak-
er's office this morning he found that gen
tle PRESENT. Tall, BOOu-l0OklnR young
man, wearing glasses and the closely
shaven capabilities of very heavy black
EeG I'd.
What Was Done.
To the inquiry as to the foundation for
the report that he had been soliciting funds
from government employees and had sent
out the above circular, Mr. Baker said
Yes, il is true that We are ready to re-
ceive contributions from any who desire
to assist in the democratic campaign in
Ohio. This is done solely upon the author
ity of the Ohio Democratic Association,
consisting of about 130 Ohio democrats en-
pl6yed by the government here in Wash
1ngton 1t is done without direction from
tthe Ohio democratic committee and no
Ohio Senator Congressman has had any
thing to do with it.
The story that Senator Br;ce or Congress
man Layton were behind this action on the
part of our association is utter nonsense
do not believe that MIR. Layton knows a
thing about it. The association here has at
open meetings several times discussed the
idea OF raising funds for the campaign. and
dlterent members of the association have
assisted in making up i list of emp!oyes
whom we should notify as to where they
could send their contributions if they de-
sired to make any. OF course the notices
We're sent to the members of our association
as a matter of form and they were also sent
to others whom different members of the
organization would be likely to give money
We nave Hot threatened anybody or made
any promises of help. We have not a par
tcle OF power in that direction, and do not
profess to have any authority. The civil
service commission has made no commune
cation to me, and if ami responsible in the
matter II is simply asa private citizen l
have been here in Washington few months
looking after Congressman Layton's mat
tiers through the summer, and have no gov
ernment position whatever MY relations to
Mr.. Layton are entirely personal, and he
pays me-"
No Action Against Baker.
At the civil service commissions Offices
II was learned that the matter had been
receiving attention today. The commits
sorers. looking at it strictly. from legal
standpoint, are not prepared to say that
the law has been violated by Mr.. Bakers
circular. The point at. issue, since the de-
cision of Attorney General Olney in the
ct Sc of the Old Dominion Club. rests upon
the fact of the solicitation being made by
a person in the employ of the government
II Mr. Baker were carried on the rolls of
the House of Representatives as an en-
ploye, undoubtedly the commission would
take action against him, but he, upon his
own statement, does not seem to be the
regular secretary of Congressman Layton,
an. if he were his name would not be car
RED upon the rolls of the House as an en-
plCye OF the government.
Neither Commissioner Rice nor Commits
sicner Harlow have expressed any opinion
Upon Mr.. Bakers action. Mr.. Rice said
TINS morning: The commission cannot af-
1crd to beat the air, and without proof that
nent it would seem, in view of the decision
or the Attorney General, that his offense
az es not come within the terms of the law.
can assure yon that if Mr. Baker is in
any sense an employe of the government
the commission will take action upon his
case"