The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-12
MONEY AND ELECTIONS.
Civil Service investigations Regarding the
Use Of Campaign Funds.
CIRCULARS WERE SENT THROUGH MAILS
Asking Office Holders for Contribu-
lions for Money to BE Used
In This Way.

Concord, N. H., July 11.-Representa-
tives OF the United States civil service bu-
reau began sitting here today for the
red against Senator Jacob Gallinger OF
Concord by the former republican gov
ernor, Charles A. Bushiel OF Laconia. al
leging violations of the civil service laws
during the last campaign in this State.
The specific charge is that Senator Gal
linger, as chairman of the republican State
committe distributed circulars appealing
to republican office holders for contribu-
tions to the campaign funds. Civil Ser
vice Commissioners j. B. Harlow and Mark
S. Brewer, who arrived here from Wash
ington last night, are In charge OF the In
vestigation. Senator William =. Chandler
was among those present
At the conclusion OF the morning SEES
sion It was announced that Mr.. Bushiel
detailed the circumstances attending his
making complaint to the civil service com
mission last October and the correspond
ence between him and the commission.
Senator Gallinger asked the commission
if he was to understand that the real COM
plainant was Ex-Governor Bushnell or SEN
ator Chandler, and was told he might draw
his own conclusions.
Governor Bushnell read long statement
as to his reasons for action in the matter.
saying that he was animated by desire 10
see the civil service laws, in which he
believed, enforced He considered that the
lavish use of money in elections was Il
menace TO our National institutions. lie
was not actuated by any unfriendly feel
ing toward Senator Galllnger in prosecute
ing these charge and he had no desire Tor
revenge"
The principal feature of the session was
the long statement by Senator Chandler,
which he prefaced by short history OF
his connection with the political commit
tee. He said he retired from the repub-
lican National committee in 1854 aod from
the State committee in 1890. He contln-
ued: II said to Senator Gallingcr in 1895.
and again in 1895, that he ought to leave
the State committee for reasons connected
with til, civil service law. but he would
not 60. In 1898, much TO my surprise be
took the Craftsmanship OF the State conf
mittee. After had recovered from my
surprise l went TO him to endeavor to Io-
operate in the work OF the campaign. We
talked over the means of raising money.
both agreeing that very little would be
needed. We spoke of individuals, of NOM
inees OF Offices, but nothing was said OF
lHlS Was III OCtO-
Der. Between that time and October II
heard that an assessment circular bad
been sent to the Federal office holders.
Governor Bushiel asked me II | knew of
this assessment. He said that he had rea-
son to believe that circular for assess
ment had been sent to the Office holders,
and he produced circular which had been
sent to State officers. He had long con-
ference, the result OF which was that he
said he would complain to the civil service
commission unless some other way could
be found to prevent these officers from
being assessed. Accordingly Governor
Bushiel, with my knowledge, asked the
commission about the terms of the law.
He came to me later and said that he had
determined to make complaint. In this
l concurred and the letter of October "A
was prepared, containing the names Of
those to whom 1t was believed the circular
had been sent. did not so again to the
commission during the campaign. The
rest of my connection with the business
was all in correspondence with the COM
mission. This is substantially all l wish
TO say. II | find that the Federal office
holders who have been requested by the
commission to appear here do not come
or If they come and do not testify I shall
tell the commission all I know about the
matter.
At the conclusion OF Senator Chandler's
statement he exchanged some warm words
with Senator Gallinger on his (Senator
Chandler's) contribution to the party
funds in 1894 and 1896 A number OF wit
nesses were heard