The evening times., 1900-05-12

President John R. Proctor. of the United
States Civil Service Commission. today
forwarded to the Senate. in response to a
resolution OF May 3. the documents in con-
nection with the alleged violations of the
Civil Service act during the year 1899. in
Ohio and Kentucky.
In the matter Of ONO the report states
that a case of infringement of the law
vas discovered in 1898, wherein the let
ters were sent through the United States
mails. similar case was brought TO the
attention of the Commission in connec-
tion with the receipt by certain persons
in the employ of the Government in the
departments at Washington, in the cam
paign Of 1899, OF the following letter:
'-ofice OF Finance Committee. Ohio Re
publican State Executive Commi tee,
Board OF Trade Building, ColIm-
"Dear Sir-A Democratic victory in
Ohio this fall would carry with II almost
full control OF the political machinery OF
the State, thus enabling the opposition TO
entrench Itself for the Presidential cam
paign OF 1900.
"A special session of the Legislature
called by a Democratic Governor would
poses under the appOrtiOnment 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. it
seems TO us will fOrcibly appeal 10 every
Republican.
We hope you will be willing 10 con-
tribute to the legitimate expenses OF the
State Committee in its efforts to maintain
Republican supremacy. In this connection
we desire TO call your attention to An
act TO regulate and improve the civil sery-
ice of the United States approved January
16, 1888, well the rules promulgated
by the President Hereunder. For the
benefit of those who have not the law at
hanC, We enclose herewith an extract there
from, embodying paragraphs > and of
section . and sections II to Is. inclusive,
also sections /, >, and Of rule Of the
Civil Service Commission. which bear
specifically on the question of political as
sCssments.
You Will observe that the law, while
not prohibiting officers and employees from
making voluntary contributions for roliti-
cal purposes, provides that such cOntri-
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 ser
vice The members OF this committee are
acting on their own responsibility. and nc
one connected with the Federal service Is
in anyway concerned, directly or indirectly
in sending this circular to Federal officers
and employees. In sending US a contrbu-
tiOn you Will in no way violate any pro-
vision of :he Civil Service law We are
for oh r-5F
sist in defraying the proper and lawful
expenses Of the campaign, and We vill be
responsible for the proper distribution q
any funds which may be intrusted TO Us.
"On account therefore OF the imp0~tan
bearing the result in Ohio this year vii
have upon the greater contest OF 1900. On
because Of the fact that the defeat OF hi
party in the Presidents home State woul,
be heralded by the opposition as a rebuk
10 his Administration We hope YOU will al,
us IN the contest by sending as liberal
contribution as you can afford
Please send remittaGCeS o. make check
payable TO the undersigned who viii ac
knowledge the same. Very respectfully.
"W. +. BURDELL.
Treasurer
Following this is a letter from the Civil
Service Reform League. which calls atten-
tiOn 20 an apparent violation Of the pro
relative to the solicitation or receipt OF
political assessments, subscriptions. OF
contributions on the part OF the Hon
Charles Dick and others. members of the
Republican State Executive Committee OF
Ohio: THE League requests that such ac-
tion may be taken as may be necessary
IN the premises to secure the enforcement
OF the provisions in question and the pros
ecutiOn Of the offending parties. as well
as 10 protect the interests of subordinate
officers and employees OF the Government
The Hon. Charles Dick, above men.
toned, is q member OF Congress from the
Nineteenth district OF Ohio. and is Chair
man of the Ohio State Republican Execu.
tive Committee At various times during
the month of October ciruar letters have
been sent TO officers and employees OF tht
United States solictating contribution!
toward the expenses Of the State commit
tee in the present political campaign
printed on the letter head of the .Finan
Committee Of the Ohio State Executiv,
Committee and signed by w +. Burif II
Treasurer. The fact that the moneys So
licited are to be applied TO the uses of the
full committee is stated very clearly and
explicitly. The subcommittee acts as an
agent. The body OF which Mr. Dick is
chairman is the actual recipient of SUBJ
scriptiOns or contributions paid and IN
Questionably directs the disbursement ot
the funds collected.
In the circular In question the prcyis-
ions of the Civil Service act are 0Uoted
and the explanation is frankly given that
members of the State Committee who are
not officehOlders have been selected Il
make the appeal direct. in order thai
neither thOss who solicit nor those who