The Washington times., 1904-09-18
IOWA COMMITTEE
SOLICITS FUNDS
May Be Violation Of Civil
Service Regulation.
DEPARTMENT MEN AGITATED
Chairman Spence, of Republican State
Committee, Asks Contributions in
LetteIs-Cowherd Will Appeal.

Solicitation Of campaign funds from
ohice-holders by State committee has
again agtated many clerks in the &C.
partments. especially those from Iowa.
To them the question has been put oil
rectly. with a pointed suggestion Of the
exact amount expected from Zach.
Clerks from other States are anxioGs!y
watching the outcome OF this attempt
TO secure campaign funds. for they re-
llize that II It succeeds, other State com
mittees will follow the same course and
make similar demands on them.
Renewal Of the recent agitation how
is due TO the action taken by r. II
Spence. chairman OF the Republican
State central committee of Iowa. in re-
questing Iowans employed In the execu-
tive departments here to contribute "A 3
per cent Assessment Of their salaries to
the State campaign fund.
The point involved is whether solicit-
ing political contributions by means OF
letters sent to Government employees is
a violation OF the statutes. In past
years the Civil Service Commission has
held that such an act constitutes al CT
tense within the meaning of the law X
the letters were addressed to Govern
ment buildings. So far. the latest case
has not been formally submitted to
them.
Asks Fixed Amounts.
Chairman Spence is said to have adj
dressed letters to all of the Iowans in
the Federal service here. urging an
Equitable contribution. The calls were
written on the letterhead of the State
central committee He pleaded the re-
cessity OF maintaining the Republican
majorities in Iowa. His letter says that
it is important that good fight should
be made this year. and concludes as fol-
lows:
The committee believes that as an
Iowan you are sufficiently interested In
the work in this State to make q con-
tr1bution based upon the salary which
you are receiving, and we venture to
suggest s. as the amount which might
be considered equitable in your case.
Cowherd May Object.
The Democratic Congressional com
mittee. it is understood. alleges that
Chairman Spence's action is IN direct
violation OF the civil service laws and in
utter disregard OF the Presidents circu-
lar to the heads OF the departments Il
is said 10 be Chairman Cowhcrd's in
tentiOn to submit the matter TO the
Civil Service Commission for an opinion.
copy OF the Presidents warning
against political assessments and par
tisan activity OF oficeholders" was post
T
and Interior Departments Friday, In
accordance with an executive order is
sued some weeks aEO. BY direction of
the Secretary Of the Interior the Presi-
dents warning viii be communicated
10 al the field officers OF the department,
including the Indian and Land services.
An Unofficial Opinion.
An employee who contributes money
10 any committee OF organization o,
ber." said an officer Of the Civil Servic,
Commission. commits an oTense anC
is liable to the penalties provided by
law such Federal official is also AZ
offender against the law. Soliciting po
liticaI contributions in a Government
building. whether done by Federal off
Gals or others. constitutes a violation OF
the statute.
whether Mt. Spence addressed III.
letter to the homes OF the IOwans or thu
bureaus In which they are employed fl
not yet known. IL the letters were di
rected 10 the offices OF those called upoI
TO contribute. the case is on all four.
with previous decisions of the commits
sion. which held that such acts are con
trary TO the law"
At the same time It was pointed on
that the commission has no iudiCia
opinion upon which TO base such a con
tention.
Prosecutions in Part.
If the Spence case IS presented to tn
commission. an investigation viii be or
dered. and The officials do not hesitate [,
say that if the facts warrant IL prOsecu
ton will follow. as was done in 1891
when Internal Revenue Collectors Scot
and Feland and three subOrdinates. o.
Kentucky, were convicted. Another cas-
OF the kind was that OF Postmastei
Ickos OF Newark Ohio, who I'm 1892 wa
indicted. tried, and fined $500 for max
ing political assessments
AT Port Huron, Mich. in 1897. Deput'
Collectors William Spring and JOIN
Tferney were removed from the service
and fines imposed for violation Of tn
law collector OF internal revenue a
Cincinnati was removed II ON office dur
ing the Cleveland Administration 10
like offenses. Many persons have beef
fined and imprisoned at various time
FOR offenses committed against the stat
utes relating TO the collection Of polit
zeal contributions by and from officers o