The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-25
THOMPSON WING CALLS PIE COUNTER BRIGADE FOR FUNDS One Postmaster Declines to Be Assessed and Democrats
 Get the Letters LEADERS DECLINE TO
 COMMENT ON AFFAIR staIIings Takes Occasion to Say That Democratic Candidates Will Go Into office Free-Books Open
 to Anybody

The first sensation in the present state campaign has developed with the publi- cation of letters by democratic Chairman Jesse Stallings, which he states prove exclusively that the Thompson repub- licans, through Chairman Frank Lathrop, have assessed the federal officers In Ala bama 5 per cent of their salaries for one year to make up the campaign fund.
 This" said MT stallings, "is in direct conflict with civil service regulations, and the special significance is the fact that it is done by the republican referee in the state, who has charge of the pat ronage under the republican President.
 T am withholding the name of the postmaster who wrote the letter reveal
 ing the assessment, because I feel sure that MT. Thompson would remove him on short notice, but can make 1t public if necessary. I also have conclusive
 proof from another postmaster that the assessment has been made.'
 One sensational feature of the letter is the last paragraph: T think you know how MT. Lathrop did about the contri- button I gave to the presidential cam paign fund. I am sorry that I have not the proof to show what we all know to be true" This is taken to indicate that there was an assessment in that cam paign as well.
 The republican camp Is quiet on the subject Chairman Lathrop laughed when asked about 1t, and insisted that he had not read the papers. Asked If he would like to have the letters read to him he replied: "Oh, no, 1 don't want to dis cuss It."
 Takes Rap nt stallings When asked what he wanted to say Mir Thompson said he didn't care to be quoted, but If he had anything. to say 1t would be that 'the people of Alabama know that if Jesse Stallings thought that there was a million dollars at repub- | lican headquarters, as he said there was, he wouldn't stay in the O'Neal camp | 30 minutes"
 l Said MT. Stallings. "we have not sc- licited and will not use one dollar of | funds from any interest. The nominees | of the party, when elected will enter | upon their duties as servants of the peo- pie, handicapped by no implied pledges l Our books are open to anybody. We have made no assessments. In fact, we have had some trouble securing funds for the campaign. The state executive committee made a contribution, the nom-
 inees have contributed, and so have some of their friends.
 Letter Sent By Lathrop | Here is the letter which was first sent broadcast over the state by Campaign
 Chairman Lathrop:
 Birmingham, Ala, Oct 6. 1910. Dear Sir: The state campaign com
 mittee, having again selected me to act
 as chairman of the Alabama republican campaign, in which there seems to be more than usual interest by not only the od-line republicans, but large independ- ent democratic vote, thousands of whom
 have and will pledge themselves to vote | for our nominee, Joseph O. Thompson, hence we willmake active and aggres- sive campaign in every county in the state to the full extent of our financial ability; and, as we are dependent on l those who love the party's cause, we
 make this our appeal to you as one of our | friends to assist us
 kindly let us hear from you by return
 mail. Yours very truly,
 l "F. H. LATHROP, Campaign Chairmna." | Letter to AIdrich
 The following letter was written to W.
 F. Aldrich of the Scott republican fac | ton by the postmaster after receipt of
 MT Lathrop's letter, and a telephone con
 versation in which the assessment of per cent was more fully explained:
 Dear Col. w. F. Aldrich: Your let
 ter came in yesterday afternoon It was over the phone that MT. Lathrop in-
 formed me of my assessment I received
 the enclosed letter from him, but l felt under no obligation to aid either MT.
 Lathrop or MT. Thompson or their party, | so I did not respond. A few days later
 he called me over the phone, after telling who he was, etc., stating his object and
 said that I was assessed per cent of my salary-$S0 that the postmasters over the state are responding nobly, and he hoped | that would meet mine, he depending on me for that amount. I replied that 1 con tributed to the other campaign fund and | this time was not able to do so. and then
 I rang off and have heard nothing more
 from him. I think you know how MT. Lathrop did about the contribution that
 gave to the presidential campaign fund
 I am sorry that I have not the proof to
 show what we all known to be true.
 q am watching with interest the fight
 you are making and wish that I could
 help you. Very sincerely your friend |