The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-22
Official at Terre Haute,
Ind, Held BlameleSS
by Mr.. Foulke.
UNJUST TO REMOVE BONNELL
Was Accused of Using His Office for
Political Ends and Disseminated
Against Democrats in Favor Of Re-
publican Oficeholders.

Commissioner Foulke OF the Civil
Service Commission. in his report on the
investigation of alleged violations of the
law and rules in the internal revenue
Office at Terre Haute, Ind. which was
made public yesterday. eXonerates In
ternal Revenue Collector Bonnell from
willful wrongdoing. After summing up
the facts the report states that it would
be manifestly unjust 10 remove Bon
nell from Office under the circumstances.
and that any further steps OF the Com
mission will depend upon the collector
future action.
Bonnell was accused Of discriminating
against the Democrats in favor Of the Re
publicans in the administration Of his
Office and OF endeavoring TO coerce the
political action of his employees at an
election by the Illegal use OF his Off
cial influence.
The compensation OF the storekeepers
and gaugers in the internal revenue SER
vice depends upon the assignments Of
work given them by the collector. 1t
was charged that Bonuell, by discrimi-
mating against the Democrats in his en-
ploy in the matter of assignments, made
II almost impossible for some OF them
to remain in the service. After present
ing evidence on this point Commissioner
Foulke says in his report:
Mr.. Foulke's Conclusion.
at seems conclusive from this evil
dence that there has been discrihhina-
tion against the Democrats on account
of their political opinions, and that civil
service rule , has been violated. 1t
seems clear. however, that Collector
Bonnell believed he had the lawful pow
er to do what he did; that he believed
this from the statement made to him on
what he considered adequate authority.
Collector Bonnell had only recently
taken Office, and is not presumed to have
the same intimate knowledge of his
powers and duties as collector as one
who has been long In the place"
The Commissioner points out the in
Justice of dismissing Mr.. Bonnell, when
the latter thought he was acting law
fully. and continues as follows:
III the future assignments are made
without regard to the political opinions
OF the men assigned, recommend that
no further action be taken by the Com
mission. He should be informed, how
ever, that this must be done"
Charge Against Mr.. Bonnell.
Collector Bcnnell was charged with
trying to influence the result OF a
primary election held in February of the
current year by stating that If the men
did not vote as they were expected to
they would be laid of from their as
signments II was claimed that colored
ballots were used for certain delegates
for the purpose of ascertaining how the
employees had voted. Commissioner |
Foulke found no evidence to warrant |
the charge that Bonnell prepared these |
ballots or was aware of their existence. |
or had used his Office for the purpose OF |
controlling an election.
The other charges of the collection of |
contributions Tor political purposes in |
the Terre Haute office before the in
cumbency of MIR. Bonneli will be treat
ed by Mr.. Foulke in separate report |
to the commission.