The evening times., 1896-08-27
OFFICIALS AGAIN WARNED
Must Not Actively Participate
in Politics.
NEW CIVIL SERVICE ORDER
Its Application Has Been Extended to
the Internal Revenue and the Gus
toms Service-ViolatOrs OF the Law
Liable to Imprisonment-Pre
and Postmaster General Quoted.

| LIE CIVIL service Oruer caiilnS dttcht:Oii
to the law concerning participation OF gov
ernment employees in the political campaign
was supplemented this morning by an Or
der extending its application to the inter
Gal revenue and the customs services.
The purpose OF the law is not to take
away the political rights of individuals.
1t is merely intended to prevent the use OF
the influence and money derived from off.
! cial connections in controlling votes. Con-
| tributIoDs to campaign funds are not for
! biddcn. neither is i iul! and free express
| sion OF political opinion. Employees and
/ officials are only warned that they must not
make or receive contributions in government
! buildings, nor while acting in an oiiiciuI
capacity.
foiiucal disccssions are rot affected by
| the order. The use in this way OF tine that
| belongs TO the government is left to the con-
troll OF each department through its chiefs
| OF division. Waste of time upon politics,
itmay be expected, Willie dealt " ilh as any
thing else that causes inefficiency.
The penalty for violation of the laws
posted runs up to $4,000 fine or three
years imprisonment, or both, in tie discre-
tion OF the Court. There has been, how
ever. hardly one conviction under this law
and no punishment that has attracted gen
erai attention.
LAW NOT ENFORCED.
The Civil Service Commission has lacked
the ability to punish violators of the law
| u was created to administer unless the
case was very plain. This is partly due
| so considerable sentiment in favor OF the
| old "spoils" system, in which officials of
| every class were forced 10 contribut? both
| time and money to the party in POWER.
a suggestion from the civil service order
is being considered with much interest in
| the departments Its that men OF a II ranks
| who are opposed TO the Presidents views
on the money question may he invited to
follow Secretary Smith into private life.
a number OF men prominent in official life
have not only expressed themselves vigor-
ously in favor OF free coinage of silver, but
several have gone actively into the CAM
paign.
| 1t is considered probable that the order
is only an initial step under the Presi-
dents direction in movement TO remove
| rs many as possible OF these from office
Some may be expected to go on account
| OF offensive .partisanship aud others for
lack OF efficiency owing to use OF their
energies In politics.
The civil service commission may not
be able TO prove the high position to in
| fluence contributions and votes, but the
| head OF a department or "A bureau can
| give his side OF the controversy the lene-
| fit of the doubt and remove for cause men
who are opposed TO his views In OBJ
scure positions this can be Gone usually
without danger OF contest or publicity
| a
The position OF the government and cs-
| peciaily OF the Civil Service Commission is
stated by circular letter issued by Presi-
dent Proctor at the opening OF the cam
| paign. He calls attention to President
Cleveland's instructions OF July l 6, $50, in
which officeholders are warned against
| the use OF their official positions TO control
political movements in their localities"
nent in his department.
In connection with this, Mr.. Procter's
letter quotes the utterance OF Postmaster
General Wilson, at Philadelphia, on Sep
| tember 2, 1855, expressing his pleasure
that civil service reform has Core away
with partisan in flneDce and political pulls y
| leaving personal merit 10 control employ
| 1t concludes with an adrnontion to avoid
| any action which row or at any future
time could reasonably he subject to ad-
verse political criticism.
Members OF boards OF examiners of the
| commission are tol no, to take part = the
| work OF political committees. If such par
I tlsan activity is sufficient to impair USE
fulness us representative Of the commits
sion 1t will be held sufficient cause for
| removal