The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-22
FROM OTHER PENS
RIGHT OF oFFqcEHoLDERs.

There is a curious situation con-
corning the federal civil service which
has been the subject Of frequent dis
| cussions of late in Washington, New
York and other cities as having a
bearing on Republican local and state
| conventions and Republican political
organizations and clubs. Within the
| last week or two important Republi-
4 cans in New York and other states
have discussed this situation with
/ President Taft, Secretary MacVeagh,
with various cabinet officials and With
/ the United States civil service cota-
n1issi onerS-John G. Black, John A.
/ McIlhenny and William S. Washburn.
! Senator Root of New York and other
/ Republican senators have also taken
part in the discussions some Of them
quite informal and others more or less
solemn. The burden of the discus
sions have been that the present re-
strictionS put by the United States
civil service commission on the politi-
cal activities of employees in the fed
eraI service are too severe and have
gone beyond the spirit of civil service
laws. Heads of Republican organiza-
tons in New York and other states
have gone over the matter with Presi-
dent Taft. with Secretary MacVeagh
and the civil service commissioners.
Political managers hope the commits
sion may possibly be induced to modify
its views as to the intent OF the civil
service laws 4Ue DI6SAQcAl HAS DCEI
informed the thousands of federal Of
f1ceholders over the country have be-
come fearful that even association with
the political organizations or clubs OF
their party may cost them their JOBS,
and have resigned not only from
membership In political clubs and
other political organizations, but are
apparently taking no part or interest
whatever in the affairs of their party,
beyond voting.
The attention of the Washington
authorities has been called to state
ments to the effect that many Repub-
lican federal officeholders desire vol
unfairly to retain their interest in
that they are forbidden, and in this
way not only New York. but in other
states. the Republican local and state
organizations, have suffered very ma
terially not only IN loss Of member
shin but in the nafuarl interest OF men
who have been affiliated with the Re
publican party. There IS an effort
under way on the part of those con-
nected with Republican political or
CARNATIONS to see to It that the Intent
of the civil service law is not exagger-
ated.-New York Sun.
THE AUSTRIAN SUCCESSION.
1t is rumored in Vienna that En-
peror Franz Josef is about to retire IN
favor of the heir apparent, his nephew,
Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The pros
pect of the younger man becoming the
head of the Austro-Hungarian empire
brings up the interesting and unusual
question as what will be the
Etaus Of his son. Prince Macmillan
Charles. The Archduke Franz Ferdi-
nand who will succeed the present
emperor. was married to the Duchess
of Hohenberg. The marriage is con-
sfdered morganatic, the duchess not
being Of royal blood, under the laws
Of Austrian succession, and her son can
not wear the crown
The young prince, however. will be
the legal heir to the Hungarian
throne. Under the present conditions
if would seem as though. on the death
of Franz Ferdinand, the dual empire
would be divided, his son becoming
ruler in Hungary and his nephew,
Archduke Karl Franz. becoming en-
peror of Austria. 1t is more than
likely that Franz Ferdinand, during
his reign, will make every effort to
have the laws of succession changed,
so that there may be no division Of the
empire and no slight put upon Ills
wife and son.-St. Paul Dispatch