The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-11-03
ABOUT ASSESSMENTS
Civil Service Commission on the
Soliciting of Campaign Funds.
GOVERNOR OF ARlzONNS REPORT.
The Plea for Statehood Renewed by Arl-
zoDa's chief Executive-The Recon-
mendations Made-Report OF
the Dead Letter once.


Washington, Oct. 3O.-A long official
statement reviewing the legal phrases
of the political assessment question
and holdin that the soliciting of cam
paign fun IS 10y letter clearly within
the remedial provisions of the civil
service law, was made public by the
civil service commission lust night.
The commission made the statement
because of circulars sent out by W. f.
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 fedcralofiicers or employees
at their offices constitutes an oifense
under section ~ 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 j., Edmuuds,
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 i'm the br.ci 1t think il !, clear
that the solicitation of such political
aids 10y mean, OF the post oli.c is dis
tinctly in prohibition of section II 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-
| tioH and SAYS that from them the con-
| clusion is unavoidable that "the writ
ing and sending through the United
States mails of IA letter addressed TO an
officer or employee of the government
at his office, asking for contribution
of money for any political purpose,
constitutes II solicitation of money for
that purpose, and that since such a
| solicitation has its full effect only upon
| the delivery of such "A letter to the adj
dressee, which delivery occurs within
government building it is an act OF
soliciting done in "A government build
ing and, hence, comes within the
meaning of the express terms of the
statute.
GOVERNOR OF ARIZoNA's REPORT.
! Washington, Oct. 30. Gov. Murnhv.
of Arizona, in his annual report to the
secretary of the interior, renews his
plea for statehood, saying it has been
denied to Arizona because of sectional
prejudice, ignorance, imaginary par
tisan policy and seldshuess." Other
recommendation 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 81, 1866 as to right OF
way for the Atlantic Il Pacific Railroad
company to permit the taxing of tract,
and superstructures on the right OF
way; increase of salaries of the federal
judges; creation "'-a fifth judicial dis.
trict; creation by congress of "A com.
mission for chronological and archmolo-
gical research in Arizona, and Il con.
gressional appropriation to pay the
governor and secretaries of territories
the salaries allowed them by law.
DEAD LETTER OFFICE REPORT.
Washington, Oct. 3O--The annual
report of the dead letter Office shows
that it received from all sources G,S55,-
0S3 pieces of mail matter, nearly nine
per cent. increase over last year. Oh
these over 145, 900 consisted of INSULT
GENTLY paid mail A quarter of mil
lion were undelivered letters TO hote
addresses, over 1877, 900 unclaimed par,
cells, and more than 500, 900 pieces OF
foreign mail. Mail directed to fictitious
addresses decreased by AS per cent, in
dicating "A notable restriction in opera
tions of fraudulent concerns. More
than $50, 900 letters and parcels sent t.
the dead letter Office were subsequently
delivered to the owners unopened, anC
money drafts, etc, found in the dead
mail aggregated a face value of 81, 16s,
600.