Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-02
ABOUT ASSESSMENTS
Civil Service Commission on the
Soliciting Of Campaign Funds.
GOVERNOR OF ARIzOyA'S REPORT.
The Plea for Statehood Renewed by Arl-
zOna's CHIEF Executive-The Recon-
mendations Made-Rep0rt of
the Dead Letter Office.

Washington, Oct. 30.-A long official
statement reviewing the legal phrases
of the political assessment question
and holding that the soliciting of cam
paign funds by letter clearly within
the remedial provisions of the civil
service law, was made public by the
civil service commission last night.
The commission made the statement
because Of circulars sent out by w. Il.
Burdell, as treasurer OF the financial
committee of the Ohio republican state
executive committee, soliciting contri-
buttons from federal employees. The
commission says the Ohio circulars
bring up clearly the question so long
awaiting judicial determination as to
whether soliciting contributions for
political purposes by means Of letters
addressed to federal'officers or employees
at their offices constitutes an otfense
under section 10 Of the civil serv-
ice act. The commissions ruling or
brief now made public was submitted
by President Proctor, of the commits
sion, to ex-senator George f. Edmunds,
of Vermont, who was chairman of the
senate judiciary committee at the
time the civil service act was passed.
The latter in his opinion says. 81 en-
tirely agree with the conclusions
stated in the brief. 1t think it is clear
that the solicitation Of such political
aids by means Of the post office is dis
tinctly in prohibition Of section IL Of
the act to which you refer" After
quoting this letter the commission re-
views at length legal decisions appo-
site to the question under considera-
ton and says that from them the con-
clusion is unavoidable that "the writ
ing and sending through the United
States mails Of letter addressed to an
officer or employee of the government
at his Office, asking for a contribution
of money for any political purpose,
constitutes solicitation of money for
that purpose" and that since such
solicitation has its full effect only upon
the delivery Of such letter to the ad-
dressee, which delivery occurs within
government building it is an act of
soliciting done in government build
ing and, hence, comes within the
meaning of the express terms of the
statute.
GOVERNOR OF ARIzoNA's REPORT.
Washington, Oct. 80. Gov. Murphy,
of Arizona, in his annual report to the
secretary of the interior, renews his
plea for statehood, saying 1t has been
denied to Arizona because of sectional
prejudice, ignorance, imaginary par
tisan policy and selfshness.' Other
recommendations are for .cessions of
all the public lands in Arizona to the
territory or state pending which the
territory should be authorized to lease
the grazing lands; the survey of all
lands within the territory, especially
the railroad grants for taxing pur-
poses; the establishment of mint or
assaying Office there; amendment Of
the act of June q, 1866, as to right of
way for the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad
company to permit the taxing of track
and superstructures on the right of
way; increase of salaries of the federal
judges; creation Of fifth judicial dis
trict; creation by congress of COM
mission for chronological and arch@olo-
gical research in Arizona, and con-
gressional appropriation to pay the
governor and secretaries of territories
the salaries allowed them by law
DEAD LETTER OFFICE REPORT.
Washington, Oct. SO.--The annual
report of the dead letter office shows
that it received from all sources $685.
9sS pieces of mail matter, nearly nine
per cent. increase over last year. OF
these over $4,000 consisted of INSULT
GENTLY paid mail. A quarter Of a mil
lion were undelivered letters to hotel
addresses, over 10000 unclaimed par
cells, and more than 100000 pieces of
foreign mail. Mail directed to fictitious
addresses decreased by 40 per cent, in
dicating notable restriction in opera.
lions of fraudulent concerns More