The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-17
SOLICITING CAMPAIGN FUNDS.
APPEAL TO IOWA REPUBLICANS
IN FEDERAL EMPLOY.
Chairman Of the state Committee Asks OF
Government Clerks Three Per Cent.
Assessment OF Their Salaries-Has He
Violated the Civil Service Law?


Violated the Civn Service Law?
WASHINGTON Sept. 1e-An interesting
question has been raised by the action Of
R. H. Spence, chairman of the Republican
State central committee Of Iowa, in re-
questing Iowans employed in the executive
departments here to contributed per cent.
assessment of their salaries to the State
campaign fund. The point involved is
whether soliciting political contributions
by means of letters sent to Government
employees is a violation Of the statutes.
In the past the Civil Service Commission
has held that such an act constitutes an
offence within the meaning Of the law II
the letters were addressed TO Government
buildings SO far it has not been formally
submitted to them.
Chairman Spence, It Is said, addressed
letters to all Of the Iowans in the Federal
service here, urging an equitable" contri-
button The calls are written on the letter.
head OF the State central committee He
pleaded the necessity Of maintaining the
Republican ma orities in Iowa. His letter
sGys that it IL important that good fight
should be made this year, and concludes
as follows:
The committee believes that as an
Iowan you are sufficiently interested in the
work in this State to make contribution
based upon the salary which you are re-
ceiving, and we venture to suggest s. as
the amount which might be considered
equitable in your case"
The Democratic Congress- committee 1t Is
understood. alleges that Chairman Spences
action is in direct violation of the civil
service laws and in utter disregard Of the
Presidents circular to the heads of the
departments. 1t is said to be Chairman
Cowherd intention TO submit the matter to
the Civil Service Commission for an opinion.
Doubt is expressed here that the Iowa
chairman has violated the law prohibiting
political assessments. He is not Federal
officer, and unless he actually solicited con-
tributions in a Government building does
not come within the pale OF the law, which
is designed for the protection Of Federal
employees who might become the prey OF
poll, clans of either party.
AN employee who contributes money
to any committee or organization OF which
a Federal official may be a member, said
an officer OF the civil service commission
to-day, commits an offence and is liable
to the penalties provided by law such
Federal official is also an offender against
the law Soliciting political contributions
in Government building, whether done by
Federal officials or others, constitutes a
violation of the statute. Whether Mr..
Spence addressed his letter to the homes
OF the Iowans or the bureaus in which
they are employed is not yet known. IL
the letters were directed to the offices of
those called upon to contribute, the case
is on all fours with previous decisions Of
the commission, which held that such
acts are contrary to the law"
At the same time it was pointed out
that the commission has no judicial opinion
upon which to base such contention.
If the Spence case is presented to the
dered, and the officials do not hesitate to
say that il the facts warrant it prosecution
will follow, as was done in 1901, when In
ternal Revenue Collectors Scott and Feland
and three subordinates of Kentucky were
convicted. Another case Of the kind was
that OF Postmaster Ickes of Newark, Ohio,
who in 1892 was indicted. tried and fined
$500 for making political assessments.
At Port Huron, Mich, in 1897. Deputy
Collectors William Spring and John Tierney
imposed for violation Of the law, A. col
lector Of internal revenue at Cincinnati
was removed from office during the Cleve-
land administration for like offences. Many
at various times for offences committed
against the statutes relating to the col
lection Of political contributions by and
from officers Of the Federal Government.
copy OF the Presidents warning against
political assessor ents and partisan activity Of
offceholders' was posted in all the bureaus
Of the Post Office and Interior Depart
rrents to-day. This Ia in accordance with
an executive order issued some weeks
ago. BY direction OF the Secretary Of
the Interior the Presidents warning will
be communicated to all the field officers
OF the department, including the Indian
and Land services