The Washington times., 1902-07-22
Mandanus Proceedings
to Compel Mr.. Root
10 RelnState Her.
is ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE
Action Instituted in the Supreme
Court Of the District-Charged Dis
missal Violated Civil Service Laws
Secretary Takes Matter Lightly.

| Miss Rebecca J. Taylor. the War De-
partment clerk who was dismissed on
June last by Secretary Root, for criti-
cising the policy of the President In the
Philippines. yesterday made gcod her
promise TO apply to the courts for relief
in the event that she failed through
other efforts TO be reinstated.
In her petition she asks the court to
issue writ Of mandamus to compel
the Secretary of War to reinstate her
in her position. She was under the civil
service, and claims that the rules were
violated in her being dismissed without
having been informed of the charges
against her and she given an opportunity
to answer them.
Miss Taylor is represented by Attor-
neys Frederick A. SiGdons and Adolph G..
Wolf, who are respectively secretary and
| treasurer of the Civil Service Reform
Association of the District The attor-
neys are, however, representing Miss
Taylor individually and not as officers Of
the reform association.
Secretary Must Make Reply.
When Miss Taylor's petition was pre-
sented TO Justice Hagner. he signed an
order requiring the Secretary OF War to
show cause on July Is why the writ
asked for should not be issued.
In the statement to the press made by
Miss Taylor yesterday. after her appiica-
tion for writ OF mandamus agains; the
| Secretary Of War had been filel. she
said: rsT .-.fsp,
Feeling that had been most unjust
iy and unlawfully removed from my po-
siticn in the War Department, / brought
the suit that was filed today. It Is too
plain for discussion that the civil SER
vice rules were entirely ignored in the
| case of my attempted removal. II the
rules are really designed to protect per-
sons employed in the civil service, such
violation of them as took place Ia my
case should not be permitted to pass un-
challenged. II the rules IN question have
not the force of Iaw--can be ignored or
observed at the will and pleasure of ev-
cry appointing officer-the sooner the
country knows it and directs the correc-.
ton by legislative authority OF such a
state Of affairs. the better.
Freedom of Speech.
But. above and beyond the civil SER
vice law and rules, feel most deeply
that my freedom of speech has been
abridged in the truest sense OF the word.
/ felt, and feel, very strongly on GER
tain political policies OF the present Ad-
ministration. and. believing that l had
an undoubted right to express myself on
them publicly. did so. For so doing the
Secretary of War attempted to deprive
me OF my office. Against his action
have continuously and solemnly pro-
tested. and in the application made to-
day l hope to have my right TO free
dom OF speech guaranteed by the Con
stitution vindicated
Rights of Citizens.
1T cannot lie possible that officials,
such as one of the Civil Service Com
missioners. may be permitted to make
public addresses in advocacy of the So
called Philippine policy and an humber
employc OF the service, ike myself, de-
MED the right OF publicly opposing that
same policy.
'If these distinctions are 10 be per-
mitted. then is 1t not clear that an Ad-
ministration may practically use the
whole force Of civil service employees
TO strengthen its position Of power.
either by converting them into active
exponents and supporters Of Its policies.
or negatively. by silencing every per-
son among them who is opposed to its
policies?
surely it never was intended that
person IN entering the Government
service of the United States should sur
render his rights as a citizen-among
them the right Of holding and express
ing political and religious opinions"
Miss Taylor. in her petition TO the
court, recites the circumstances OF her
appointment to the War Department as
clerk, and her correspondence relative
he writing Of the article criticising