Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-19
GIFT TO CAMPAIGNS
CAUSEN new SCANDAL
GREAT SURPRISE EXPRESSED
THAT ROOSEVELT DID NOT
STOP FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS
OF THE LAW.
Ry Ralph Smith

WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-rhe solicita-
ton of campaign contributions from civil
service employees of the government is ia
violation of the Civil service act, accord
ing to a decision of the United States SUI
preme court, and IL is stated by persons
who have studied the decision that the
Republican leaders who sent out letters
to Georgia postmasters during the las,
presidential campaign are liable to pros
ecution and imprisonment
In his annual report to congress Attor-
ney General Bonaparte stresses as one OF
the important government victories the
conviction of a man named Thayer OF
Texas. Members of congress and others
who have seen the attorney generals re-
port express surprise that President
Roosevelt. who claims to be stickler for
civil service. regulations. should have not
denounced the fragrant violations of the
civil service laws during the recent cam
paign.
Georgia Was Looted
They insist that he must have known
of the solicitations of contributions being
sent to postmasters all over the south.
Indeed. a copy of the letter was publish
ed I'm the newspapers OF Georgia and Gre
ated at the time considerable comment.
The postmasters in this letter We're urged
to subscribe to a fund to help assure
Republican victory, and indeed, many
federal Office holders are said to have
given a certain proportion of their sala-
ries to the campaign fund as a result
of these appeals.
1t is claimed that President Roosevelt
and other national Republican leaders,
besides knowing of the solicitations in
the south, knew also of the decision of
the supreme court, declaring such meth
~ vgnra Of ha nfx
regulations, and punishable. They point
to the fact that the attorney general, in
his report, cites the case of the United
States agains Thayer, of Texas. as one
of The notable victories of the year. The
decision was handed down in March of
last year, and being of such Consequence
as to attract the attention and personal
comment of Attorney General Bonaparte,
it must have been known to President
Roosevelt, Judge Taft and the national
leaders of the party.
It's Very Different Now
But the exposure of the methods being
followed i'm the south Of violating the
civil service regulations did not bring
a word from the president or any other
Republican in defense Of the civil SER
vice regulations. But now il is different,
when the representatives and senator's
WOulu NOnAIOi lhC pau AANiNNAN "
the taking of the census.
In the case pointed out by the attorney
general as a notable victory, 'Thayer was
indicted for soliciting a political contri-
button from an employee of the postofice
department, in violation of the civil SER
vice act"
The judgment of the lower court that
the case did not come within the act
was reversed by the supreme court, which
held that the solicitation was made in
the place where the letter was received.
The court said:
What the Court Said
"A solicitation for funds for campaign
purposes made by letter is not complete
until the letter is delivered to the person
from whom the contribution is solicited
and if the letter is received by one with
in building or room described in section
u of the act, the solicitation is that place
and the sender of the letter commits the
prohibited offense in the prohibited
place"
Section L refers to public buildings Of
the United States government or property
leased by the government and used as a
public building.