Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-03
OFFICE AND POLITICS
Restrictions Upon Those in
Classified Service.
PRESIDENTS ORDER
EFFECT UPON THE KENTUCKY
REPUBLICAN ASSOCIATION.
The Right Of Department Clerks to
Hold Membership in Po-
litical Clubs

| semi political organizations the constitu-
tions or laws of which proclaim that such
| associations are fo-med for political pur-
poses was raised today / y members of the
! Kentucky Republican Club of Washing
| ton. D. c. large ma jority of whom are
| said to be employees of the government de-
| partments and in the classified service.
| The constitution of the Kentucky Re
| publican Club is said to state that 1t was
! formed for political purposes and in the
| interest of the republican party" 1t Is be-
| lieved this proviso is also contained in some
| of the constitutions of other state associ-
| ations in this city.
| The question was submitted to Civil Serv-
| ice Commissioner Greene today for his in
depreciation of the Presidents order against
| political activity and assessments he gave
| 1t as his opinion that it would be improper
| under the order for such federal employees
| to be connected with an organization
| formed declaredly for political purposes, as
| is said to be stated in the constitution or
| the kentucky club.
Commissioner Greene added that the en-
| ployes in question. he thought, would be
taking big chances in acquiring or retain
ing membership in such bodies in view OF
| the declaration In the executive order
| against their activity in politics, which
might result in public scandal as II Is
| stated by the President.
This matter will receive important con-
sideration. it is stated. at meeting of the
| Kentucky Republican Club. to be held to-
night at Oppenheimer's Hall, on 9th street
The questions of eliminating the reference
to politics and the phrase in the interest OF
the republican party from the clubs con-
| stituton as well as the proposed dropping
of the word republican" from the name OF
| the organization. will be given serious con-
sideration. a leading member OF the club
| stated today 70 a Star reporter.
| Detective Fred n. Webber of the capital
police force. who is a member of the eXecu-
tive board of the Kentucky club. and whose
| friends declare elected
of that body at the annual election of off,
GERS to be held tonight. in discussing the
matter, said il is the opinion of many office
holders who also hold membership In the
state republican associations here, that In
order TO comply with the Presidents order.
| the political feature of the organizations In
question must be eliminated, and the
ample Of some of the associations followed
in substituting under the head of objects
in their constitutions the words FOR social
purposes instead of for political pur-
poses.
Mr.. Webber's Choice.
eff it comes to a question of elimination
or disbandment," declared Mr.. Webber, Il
am in favor of disbandment, for 1t is well
known our club organized primarily
for political purposes. with social matters
as a secondary consideration. / do not be-
live in sailing under false colors, and be-
lieve we would be doing by changing
our objects, unless the entire organization
is reconstructed on social lines"
In view of the Presidents order, it is said
this will be the first annual election of Of
ficers of the Kentucky Republican Club at
which no candidates for the offices have put
in an appearance.
The slate is blank said a member to-
day. Indeed, there are few members who
desire face the situation in view OF the
civil service circular, containing parts OF
the Presidents anti-poltica! activity order,
recently promulgated 10y the commission.
IL II
ernment employe, does not come under civil
service rules, and believe he will be elected
president. 1t Will he case at tonights
election of the office seeking the man, and
seeking him good and hard
The present officers of the Kentucky Re
publican club and their departmental po-
sition under the government are given as:
President, Harry Govannoli. secretary TO
the commissioner of internal revenue; vice
president, John Speed Smith, United States
| pension bureau; Secretary-treasurer, MILO
| Shanks, foreman government printing Oh
fice assistant secretary, Henry +. Slaugh-
ter, and sergeant-at arms, J. e. Goodkey.
both of the government printing office
executive committee, Luther NJ. Walter. in
| terstate commerce commission: j. &. Bull
ger, auditor Post Office Department; j. n.
Shawhan. Treasury Department; Fred ".
| Webber, Capitol police, and S. f. Pottin-
ger, pension office.
."rhe kentucky Republican Club was or
| panized seven years ago, said a member.
land we have always flown the republican
colors from the highest peak of our main
mast where all could see 1t, and We do not
propose at this late day to haul down our
colors Rather than do so, / believe, r.
majority of the members would favor dis
banding. Our motto Is and always has
been 'republicanism We do not propose
to change it to a social phrase and adopt
a kid glove and fan our emblems. Other
state Organizations may have done so. but
we of Old Kaintuck Will respectfully de-
| cline to accede to the proposition.
There are said to be few members of
the club like Fred Webber, it's organizer.
Il TO txnIA tha
organization together should the disband-
ment proposition receive serious consider
alton.
Interpretation of Presidents Order.
The Interpretation of the Presidents or
der by Civil Service Commissioner Greene.
as given above, will, it is believed. cause
trepidaton among the many government
EMPLOYEES who were affiliated with state or
ganizations in this city. 1t is well known
that the membership of these associations
is made up almost entirely of those in the
federal service.
according TO the executive order, Com
missioner Greene's Interpretation is gener.
| ally accepted as correct as the Wofdihs oi
the order will, it is said. admit OF no other
| interpretation 1t is more than probable.
| therefore that movement may pe started
| by the Kentucky club tonight to induce
| President Roosevelt 20 modify the docu-
| ment so far as it relates TO state associa-
| tons.
| Since the inception Of these associations.
! soon after the civil war they have always
| been identified with the politics of the
| states they represented under both repub-
! Ucan and democratic administrations. and
! furnished not only speakers and voters for
the campaigns, but the sinews of war as
| we'll Under the last administration or
| Grover Cleveland the New Jersey state
| democratic association furnished an ex-
| ample on the other side. 1t was fathered by
| Senator Mcpherson and Representative
| William McAdoo now police commissioner
of New York city, and did stalwart work
| fer the party in the mosquito state. To
| eliminate the political feature of these
| bodies would therefore be, in the opinion OF
| some like removing the handle from q