The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-12
EMPLOYES HELD UP FOR CAMPAIGN FUND indiana Federal Judge Involved
 in Muddle MEN WERE FORCED TO PAY Were Told That They Had Better Do Without the New Suit of Clothes
 and Pay the
 $50.
MEN WERE FORCED TO PAY

Washington, October 1.-The charge of soliciting and accepting campaign contri- buttons in the campaign of 1902, made against United States Circuit Judge Ba- ker of Indiana, by the civil service com mission, has been referred to the depart ment of justice by the commission. In connection with the reference, the com mission today gave out an official state ment of the case in which it was said: "The statute of limitation is the only de- fense which can be opposed to the charge"
 Following is the committees state- ment:
 Committee Makes Report.
 ''The civil service commission, through Commissioner Greene. conducted an ex- animation on the 22nd and 23rd of Sep tember, 1905. into charge of violation of the civil service act by the collection of illegal assessments at Goshen, Ind. In the course of this investigation Guy c. Boulton, clerk In the postoffice at Goshen, testified that he was told in the fall of 1902 by the assistant postmaster, Alderman, to visit Hon. Francis E. Ba- ker, judge of the United States circuit court of appeals for the seventh circuit; that he was sent during office hours to see Judge Baker; that he was told by Judge Baker that it was to his interest to keep in power the servant of the party to which witness Boulton, owed his appointment, and that even if witness was in the civil service, his superior would give him trouble in case of a change of administration. He was also told that Judge Baker paid liberally him. self for public purposes and that clerks in the service usually gave per cent of their salary with other statements along the same line. In pursuance of these statements by Judge Baker. Boul- ton afterward paid 5 per cent of his salary. being 80, to D. w. Neidig, chair man of the republican county commit tee.
 Lamar Croop, also clerk in the Co., shen postoffice, testified that Judge Ba- ker urged witness to pay money for campaign purposes and the witness told Judge Baker that he could not afford to do so, whereupon Judge Baker. said to him: You can afford to do without a suit of clothes and make your payment
 Postmaster staked Him.
 ''Ie was urged to pay per cent. There after the witness spoke to Postmaster Sherwin about paying his assessment and said that he did not have the mo- ney to pay and he then advanced him $50 for his assessment which was paid to MT. Croop
 Martin T. Schuur, clerk in the post office, testified that he was also urged and did pay s25. He was unable to make the payment and the postmaster loaned | him the amount
 This is the testimony that was pre- sented to Judge Baker and was admitted | by him to be true. It is felt by the com mission that inasmuch that violations of others by the civil service act occurred | in the Goshen postoffice are to be pro- ceeded against and punished, 1t is not right that distinction should be made | in favor of a violator of the law, how ever exalted his position. There is a clear case of the violation of the civil ser vice act, section Il.
 "The only question involved Is of the running of the statute of limitations and | this Is the only defense which can be opposed to the charge and we feel 1t our duty to leave the question of the suf- | ficiency of this defense to the department of justice."