The evening times., 1898-10-22
CALLED TO THE RESCUE
Demands for Cash From Re.
publican Clerks.
WARNINGS OF DISASTER
State Chairman EIISin, Of the Penn
syIvania Republican Committee.
Wants 333 Men TO Give Sl5 Each
to Stem the Rising Tide of Demo-
cratic Triumphs.

Pennsylvania campaign are frightened
over the congressional outlook in the
State is made manifest by d circular lst-
ter which is being sent TO Government
employees in Washington.
The State central committee of Penn
sylvania, of which Mr.. John p. Elk N
is chairman, in open violation of the
civil service laws with which the Penn
sylvania Republicans profess to De in
accord, is soliciting contributions from
Government clerks.
The letter being sent out is similar TO
that ISSUED by the Republican Stat COM
mittee Of Ohio. 1t depicts an even more
apprehensive feeling on the part OF the
Republicans Of Pennsylvania. however
A numbeS of Pennsylvania appointees
in the department have received this cir
cular letter from Eikin. He aimts
that many Of the congressional districts
now classed as doubtful are IN g'tat
danger of being carried by the Demo
Gratis.
One of these letters was received yes
terday by a clerk in the Treasury Le-
partment This man is PennsyIN ai-ian
and earns $50 per month. rIe l. uLd- r
the wing OF the civil service laws, Dut
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. this fact the State COM
mirtee demands that he zig into '.-s
munihcent salary anu Iay o'c- II l-e
Republican macEine DlooI money 10 LIE
extent of SO.
The clerk to whom this letter WAS ad-
dressed does not like the idea OF beng
coerced into aiding Inc Republican cain
paign. and il is understood that ne Wall
bring the matter IL me attention OF Sec
retary Gage, who has promised the CLERKS
in his department pfotecU9n. lhe hA'.ie
of the recipient Of this letter is with
held. for obvious reasons.
This letter is being sent 10 clerks IN
Washington with the connivance OF Sen
ator Quay, who controls the State COM
mIttee The letter is written on the reg
ular committee lettur-head paper, ana
bears the name OF such distinguished ne
uublicaf politicians 0f the State as W. X.
Andrews the celebrated bcodler: 9 l..
Mage. ''the hog combine leader Lieut..
GOV Walter Lyon. State Senator Dur
ham. Of Philadelphia; Frank Reeder'
John b. Robinson ana T.. ". Echols.
Ii is understood that none Of the re-
cipients of the letters is 10 forward a
copy TO the Civil Service Commission.
There is a statute in force which pro-
N-ides for the imprisonment of persons
soliciting funds from clerks under the
civil service laws for political purposes.
The commission may take some action
in the matter.
Here is the circular which portrays the
Congressional situation in the State 50
graphically:
IPcrsoaal.l
''l23l Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa,
October IS, 1895
Washington ID c:
My Dear Sir-I write TO solicit your CO.
operation and financial assistance in the
present campaign. We have in Pennsyl-
Vania seven close congressional districts.
AT the present time three Democrats and
twenty-seyen Republicans represent our
State in the National Congresses. Tn
less a vigorous and aggressive campaign
is waged we may lose three or four dis
trtcts In 1896 we fought to a successful
conclusion the financial question; as re-
suit the business conditions of the coun-
try have steadily improved. We are now
in the middle OF the Presidential term
and as is well known there Is always in
difference apathy and disappointments
to contend with in such years. For this
reason our efforts must be redoubled 10
insure Republican supremacy in close
congressional districts. You will agree
with me no doubt, that II is OF the ut
ley should be Loyalty supported during the
remainder of his Presidential term by a
Congress in active sympathy with his IL
nancial industrial and war policies.
Should the campaign Of this year result
i'm the election Of d Democratic Congress,
the entire effect Of his Administration
would be neutralized II not destroyed.
Such a result would mean a revival of
Organism and free silver throughout the
- AL 4 ~lwTaW sfar
contest OF 1886 must be fought over again
in 1900. Pennsylvania in such a struggle
cannot afford to lose single Republican
congressman as it would nave the effect
of depressing all of our commercial and
manufacturing interests, which means
business stagnation, unemployed labor
and financial distress throughout the ma
tion.
II call your attention to these condi-
tions. knowing you to be conservative,
sensible business man and ask that You
give il serious consideration. If yourself
and others will give US the necessary sup
port we can win the fight as grandly as
we did in 1896. In our opinion this is the
time to settle these questions finally and
forever. But a few weeks of the cam
paign remain, so that whatever is done
must be done at once. If you are in sym
pathy with the policies above outlined,
viii you not be one of 333 TO contribute
SIS to the State committee campaign
fund? II so. kindly remit TO the under
signed by return mail.
The contributions received will be US
ed for proper and legitimate campaign
expenses such as securing speakers. the
distribution of literature, and organiza-
tion work necessary to get the vote poll
ed. An early and favorable reply will be
gratefully appreciated and kindly remem-
bered. Very faithfully yours for success,
JOHN Z. ELKIN,
Chairman"