New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-29
THE LAW AS TO BRIBERY.
SOME SECTIONS OF 1T LIKELY TO BE OF
INTEREST TO THE MACHINES.

THE CIVIL. SERVICE REFORM ASSOCIATION
WATCHING THE REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION
LEApERs-Irs SECRETARY SAYS THAT THE
STATUTE REGARDING THE soLcITA-
TON OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
FROM PUBLIC EMPLOYEES HAS
ALREADY BEEN VIOLATED.
The Civil Service Reform Association, Of No.
81 Wiliam-st the organization presided over
ny Carl Schurz has been watching with inter-
est the reports as to certain Inducements said
10 have been held out ny Lemuel Z. Quigg 10
various bodies of public servants TO support
General Tracy financially and with their votes.
The scrutiny is likely TO result in action being
taken to put an end to what are alleged TO be
fragrant violations of the state law on the part
Of the leaders Of the Republican machine. The
attention Of the Civil Service Reform Associa-
zion is being particularly devoted to the pro-
ceedlngs Of Mr.. Quigg
The published statement that Mr.. Qulgg has
promised the police iremen and letter-carrlers
10 raise their salaries If they will vote straight
was brought to his attention yesterday and he
was asked II the story was true His answer
was: "As understand It the fremen police
men and letter-carriers are citizens with votes;
and shall conduct such correspondence with
them as choose, considering 1t nobodys bust
ness but mine and theirs"
George McAneny, secretary OF the Civil Ser
vice Reform Association, said to a reporter yes
,erday: 1.-THE statement has been publicly made
and not as yet denied, that the chairman OF the
Ranublican City Campaign Committee has
pronised to promote the passage Of bills pro-
viding increases of salary, or establishing pen
son funds for letter-carriers, hremen and
nolicemen In return fof the support these pub
lie employees may give the Republican candidate
for the Mayoralty 1t may be timely to point
out that O. bargain Of this sort would under the
laws OF New-York State, constitute orpery OF
o,,emn,ed bribery as the circumstances may
be, and that the person proposing I" may De
,,,n,shed. on conviction. by both fine and i'm
rS,sonment The statutory provision is as fol-
-. Icec,,on, a. Chapter 354. Laws Of 1888:
.yy,oovsr being public officer. or having or
.,s,mine TO have airy authority or influence for
or erecting the nomna'T PaI or nrrosse or
decrease Of salary Of any pubic oiteer sna cor
rupSs r;.w ' ar influence directly or Indirectly. in
order to coerce or persuade the vote or ponticaI
nromotion OF any officer or public empoye, or upon
nv other corrupt consideration, snail be guilty OF
bribery n o5 o. sty OF such bribery or attempt TO
Commit the same. as aforesaid; shall upon coavc.
,on sn siXo nor more than 5000 TO be mprs-
va not less than ten days nor more than two
~nsrs or TO both said fne and said imprisonment in
the discretion OF the court
..Whatever evidence the Civil Service Reform
Association may secure tending to show vio-
Ietion of this section by any one, continued Mr..
McAneny, will be employed as the basis for an
immediate prosecution. From evidence now In
,he nossession of the association, II is already
Main that the statute prohibiting the solicita-
tion of political contributions from public en-
nIoyes has been violated. Section II OF the
ppN.ai Code contains the following clause:
ANY person who sends presents any political
ossessn,ent subscription or contribution, or re-
ouests nayrnent OF any such (public) ofcer or en-
pioye. Is guilty of a misdemeanor
This section. 1t will be seen. tcrbids absolute
IL the solicitation of funds for political pur-