The evening times., 1899-10-16
AN APPEAL FOR CASH.
Ohio Republicans seek Contributions
From Federal Employees.


From Federal Employees.
NEW YORK, Oct. 16.-How the Civil
Service law, which seeks to protect Federal
employees from assessment for political
purposes, is regarded by the Republicans of
Ohio is shown by letter which has been
tee Of the Republican Executive Commit
tee Of that State.
This communication, which has been
mailed to Federal officeholders all over the
country, calls upon them for voluntary
contributions and explains in detail how
the provisions of the law forbidding the
payment Of assessments may be nuIliied.
Attention Is called to the fact that Ohio
is the Presidents home State, and that de-
feat there this year would have bad ef-
feet upon his political fortunes in 1860.
At the head Of the letter is the following
caption:
"Offiee of Finance Committee, Ohio Re
publican State Executive Committee. Board
of Trade Building, Columbus"
This is accompanied by the names of the
members of the finance committee. b.
Zerbe, chairman; W. F. BurdeH, treasurer;
Julius Whitinger, Charles P. Taft, and
Noah Fl. Swayne.
Following Is copy Of the letter:
Dear Sir-A Democratic victory in Ohio
this fall would carry with IL almost full
control OF the political machinery of the
State, thus enabling the opposition to en-
trench itself for the Presidential cam
paign of 1900.
"A special session of the legislature,
called by Democratic governor, would re-
district the State for Congressional pur-
poses under the apportionnent of 1900,
thereby reducing the Republican represen-
tation from this State in the lower house
of Congress, and perhaps endangering our
majority in that body. These facts, il
seems to us, will foreibiy appeal 10 every
Republican.
I'VE hope you will be willing to con-
tribute TO the legitimate expenses of the
State Committee in its efforts to maintain
Republican supremacy. In this connec-
tioR We desire to call your attention to
An Act to regulate and improve the Civil
Service of the United States approved
January 16, 18S3 as we'll as the rules pro-
mulgated by the President Hereunder.
For the benefit of those who have not
extract therefrom. embodying paragraphs
and of section 2; and section IL to Is
inclusive; also sections l, 2, and OF rule
of the Civil Service Commission, which
bear specifically on the question of politi-
cal assessments.
You will observe that the law, while
not prohibiting officers and employees from
making voluntary contributions for po-
litical purposes. provides that such eontri-
buttons shall not be made to any Federal
officer or employe, or to anyone within
a, Federal building or establishment For
this reason. and to avoid violating any of
the provisions of the law. the committee
in charge of the financial branch of the
campaign work is made up of persons in
nowise connected with the Federal serv-
ice The members of this committee are
acting on their own responsibility, and
no one connected with the Federal service
is in any way concerned, directly or indi-
rectly. in sending this circular 20 Federal
officers and employees. In sending US d
contribution you will in no way violate
any provisions of the Civil Service law.
We are asking for voluntary contribu-
tons to assist in defraying the proper and
lawful expenses of the campaign. and We
viii be responsible for the proper distri-
buttons OF any funds which may be en-
trusted to us.
ION account. therefore. of the fmpor-
tant bearing the result in Ohio this year
will have upon the greater contest of 1860,
and because OF the fact that the defeat of
his party in the Presidents home State
would be heralded by the opposition as 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 remittances or make checks
payable to the undersigned, who viii ac-
knowledge the same"
The letter is signed by ". F. BurdeIl,