The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-12

democrat to fill the vacancy, Judge Thomas R. Roulhac of Sheffield is con sidered the leading candidate, as he was strongly recommended for the position during Vaughans fight for re-appoint- ment.
 Oscar R. Hundley of Huntsville will also be a candidate for the position and will possess active support, as he did In the fight several months ago. If the President indicates that he will give the place to a democrat, 1t is expected that Representative Richardson and the mem- bers of the Alabama delegation will make a hard fight for him.
 It is understood here that the Presi- dent will consult Booker T. Washington as to the candidate for Vaughan's suc- cessor and will be largely governed by his advice, as he was in the case Of Judge Thomas G. Jones.
 A SIDE LIGHT.
 Some additional light may be thrown on the matter by the following letter to Ad Wimbs, a prominent negro republican, sent by him some days ago to The Age Herald. Since the elimination of the ne- gro from the republican party in Ala bama they have been quite disgruntled and have doubtless been making com plaint to the authorities at Washington. This letter to Ad Wimbs from w. D. Koulke, acting president of the United States civil service commission, Is prob ably in response to a letter of complaint addressed to him regarding the action of certain republican office-holders In the state.
 The letter is as follows:
 Washington, D. C., Sept. ?, 1902. Mir Ad Wimbs, Greensboro, Ala:
 Dear Sir-You inquiring to what ex- tent officeholders may take part in po- litical assemblies is received. Persons who are in the classified service ought not to take public part in political as- semblies or in campaigns. Postmasters, internal revenue collectors, marshals and district attorneys are not in the classified service, but are political ap- pointees, subject to confirmation by the senate. The same strictness is not re- quired in regard to them as Tn regard to those who hold places which are non political Yet even these persons are not allowed to use their official authority or official influence in such a manner as to coerce their subordinates or to control elections.
 They must not cause public scandal by their political activity, and they must not neglect their official duties. Beyond this there is no prohibition. It is not, however, wise for them to act upon com mittees, especially where such commit tees are charged with the collection and disbursement of campaign funds. If they solicit or receive funds from oficeholders or employees they violate the law. Pres ident Clevelands s order, which Is still in force, also states that they should not assume the active conduct of political campaigns.
 It is proper to add that so far as the foregoing matters refer to mere political activity they are not under the control of the commission, but of the. sereval departments to which the officials be- long. If, however, campaign funds are solicited or received from officeholders by off1ceholders. or if an officeholder uses his official authority or Influence to coerce his subordinates or control an election, in these cases the commission has a right to intervene. Very respect fully. w. D. FOULKE,
 Acting President.