Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-10-25
Register! Register Register
REPUBLICAN SINEWS OF WAR,

The cat has been let out of the bag
In other days our friends, the enemy
were accustomed to levy tribute OF
the poor officeholder with impunity
by direct demand and scarcely veileG
threat of decapitation in the event oil
non compliance. Since they have
been summary cut off from this high
handed method of collecting campaign
funds. they are firing from the bush IL
a more stealthy manner, but none the
less systematically and determipedly
and the Office holder is still reminded
that headquarters are entitled to a
rake off from his scanty earnings, and
the wayfarer, though fool, can. with
half an eye, still discern the keen edge
of the axe over his head if he should
fail to come to time. The subjoined
communication was recently received
by Federal oficeholder and of itself
speaks eloquently. The post-mark
shows that its origin was not far from
our burly friend, Mark Hanna, the
Main Thing
(From the Ohio S ate Journal, Sept. 80, 1901
1.-Two years ago the finance commit
tee of the Ohio Repu blican State exec
utlve committee prepared and mailed
circular letter, calling attention to
the Importance of the State campaign
that year and stating that voluntary
contributions for the legitimate ex-
penSeS of the State committee would
be very gladly received. These letters
were mailed to the leading Republi-
cans throughout the country. Because
some of the letters were delivered to
federal officers within the government
building where they We're EMPLOYED.
over Jealous friends of the civil SER
vice law contended that the law had
been thereby violated and brought the
matter to the attention of the federal
grand jury: The law on this subject
forblds soliciting campaign contribu
lions from any officer or employe of
The United States in any room or
building occupied by him in the dis.
charge of his official duties, but the |
grand jury very sensibly concluded |
that it was no violation of this law to |
address letter to a postmaster, or to |
any federal officers in a government
building merely for the purpose of
informing him he might contribute to
he campaign fund if he so desired.
n OF only was this letter SO carefully
vorded as to clearly come within the
etter and spirit of the law, but ex
racts from the law and regulations
including everything contained therein
fearing on the subject, were also en-
lOsed in every letter mailed.
A reporter of the State Journal in
erviewed Mr.. W. F. Burdell, who is
till treasurer of the finance committee.
It his office in the Board of Trade
and asked him if his commit
ee proposed to send out similar
ircuiar letter this year.
Mr.. Burdell replied that he had no.
iced a good deal of discussion outside
L the committee as to what the COM
1lttee would do in the matter, but the
nance committee felt it ought to de-
lde the question for itself. 'sWhile
be circular letter sent out two years
CO." said Mr.. Burdell, was clearly
OF violation of the law, and that
act Was made plain by the extracts
,0m the law which accompanied the
tier, yet the committee was subject
d to great deal of criticism on ac
punt of of such action and considera-
lie annoyance resulted. While the
this year is just as impor
Int as was the one of two years ago,
I'D Democratic victory this year would s
just as great menace to our pres {
1t prosperity, and the expense of l
mining the campaign this year will G
, just as large as was the expense two
'ars ago, it has been decided not to l.
nd out such circular this year. We 8
slieve that Republicans throughout y
e country realize the Importance of p
rs year 8 campaign in Ohio. A Dem j
ratio victory here would be in the o
sht OF rebuke to the National and a
late administrations, and would T.
EN- to foreshadow the election of a o
emocratic house of representatives q
KIT year. 1t would mean that this D
ate would be redistricted and the !,
lmber of Democratic congressman r
om Ohio largely increased. Realiz 7,
g the Importance of this years cam =
ign, we feel sure that Republicans '
over the country will gladly render r.
cir assistance without waiting for o
e f0rmality of letter from our VI
nmittee. 1t is only necessary thew 81
ould know that we will be glad of &C
cir help" al
W