The age-herald., 1899-10-08
REPUBLICANS IF OHIO DESPERATE Soliciting Funds from Federal
 OflcehO|ders. ACT IN DEFIANCE OF LAW Mighty Effort to Saves 2 from Ignominious g<s
  LETTER TO ALABl 6 2 OSTMASTER
LETTER TO ALAB es osTMAsTER
Sent Out from Colu. Jus by State Cam paign Committee-Passion App peal to Prevent Democratic
 Victory Where's Mark?
The republicans of Ohio are desperate.

The republicans of Ohio are desperate.
 They are aware that the defeat of their gubernatorial candidate, MT. Nash. is im- pending unless something is sdone.
 Therefore they have resolved to tax every postmaster in the country for the cam- paign against John R. Mclean, the demo- cratic nominee.
 All postmasters, apparently, are called upon to contribute to the failing and losing cause, in the vain hope of carrying the presidents own state.
 The following is copy of letter to the postmaster of a certain Alabama town, signed by the chairman of the republican state campaign committee, which is a bold attempt, in defiance of law, to increase Mark Hanna's enormous corruption fund:
 Office of Finance Committee,
 The Republican State Ex. Con-,
 Board of Trade Building, Columbus.
 Dear sir:-.A democratic victory in Ohio this fall would carry with 1t almost full control of the political machinery of the state, thus enabling the opposition to en- trench itself for the presidential campaign of 1900.
 A special session of the legislature called by democratic governor, would redistrict the state for congressional purposes under the apportionment of 1900, thereby reducing the republican representation from this state in the lower house of congress, and, perhaps, endangerng our majority in that body These facts, 1t seems to us, Will forcbly appeal to every republican. We hope you will be willing to contrib ute to the legitimate expenses of the state committee in its efforts to maintain repuD- lican supremacy. In this connection we de- sire to call your attention to "an act to regulate and improve the civil service or the United States" approved January l6, 1SS3 as we'll as the rules promulgated Dy the president hereunder. For the benefit of those who have not the law at hand, we enclose herewith an extract therefrom, enl- bodying paragraphs and 6, or section <, and sections Il to 15, inclusive; also sec tions 1. and of rule ?, of the civil service commission, which bear specifically on the question of political assessments.
 You wdu observe that the law, While not prohibiting officers and employees from max ing voluntary contributions for pohtieai purposes, provides that such contrlputlohs shall not be made to any federal officer or employe, or to any one within a federal building or establishment. For this req son, and to avoid violating any of the pro- visions of the law, the committee in cnarge of the financial branch of the campaign work Is made up Of persons in noWise coh- nected with the federal service. The mem- bers of this committee are acting on their own responsibility, and no one connected with the federal service is in any way con- cerned directly or indirectly, in sending this circular to federal officers and em- pDoyes. In sending us contribution you will in no way violate any provision Of the civil service law. We are asking for vol untary contributions to assist in defraying the proper and lawful expenses of the cadn- paign, and we will be responsible for the proper distribution of any funds which may be entrusted to us.
 On account, therefore, of the important bearing the result dn Ohio this year will have upon the greater contest of 1900, and because of the fact that the defeat of his party in the presidents home state would be a1eralded by the opposition a rebuke to his administration, we hope you will aid US in this contest by sending as liberal a contribution as you can afford.
 Please send rednittances or make checks payable to the undersigned, who will ac- knowledge the same. Very respectfully, (Signed) W. F. BURDELL, Treasurer.