The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-06-12
ONLY HIS VOTE IS LEFT him
FEDERAL OFTICEHOLDER NOT
TO ORATE, GO TO cow ENTIONS.
nun for once, Be a political Eaiit or boss
a club. work at the Polls. Circulate q
Iocal option Petition or Ofiicrr Anti.
saloon League Penalty, Loss Of JOb.

saloon Lea aHue Penalty, LOSS OF JOO.
There is q curious situation concerning
the Federal civil service which has been
the subject OF frequent discussions Of
late in Washington. New York and other
cities ~ having bearing on Republican
local and state conventions and Republi-
can political organizations and clubs
Within the last week or two important
Republicans in New York and other
, States have discussed this situation with
| President Taft. Secretary MacNeagh,
with various Cabine, officers and with
the United States Civil Service Commits
sioners. John G. Black. John A. Mcllhenny
and William =. Washburn. Senator Root
of New York and other Republican
Senators have also taken part in the dis
cussions. some Of them quite informal
! and others more or less solemn. Inc
! burden of the discussions has been that
the present restrictions put 10y the
United States Civil Service Commission
on the political activities Of employees in
the Federal service are too severe and
have gone beyond the spirit Of the civil
service laws Heads Of Republican or
! ganiza,ions in New York and other states
4 nave gone over ll' ffld' lt1 WIN
Taft. with Secretary Mac}eagh and the
/ Civil Service Commissioners. Political
managers hope that the commission may
possibly be induced 10 modify its views
as TO The intent Of the civil service laws.
The President has been Informed that
thousands of Federal ofYiceholders all
over the country have become fearful!
,ha, even association with the political
organizations or clubs OF their party
NAV cost them their jobs and have re-
signed not only from membership in
political clubs and other political or
ganizations but are apparently taking
/ no part or interest whatever in the affairs
of their party beyond voting.
The attention OF the Washington au-
thorities has been called 10 statements
10 the effect that many Republican
! Federal officeholders desire voluntarily
to retain their interest in their party's
affairs and vet believe that they are
! forbidden. and in this way not only in
New York but in other States the Repub-
, lcan local and State organizations have
suffered very materially not only in loss
| Of membership but in the natural interest
| of men who have been affiliated with the
Republican party. There is an effort
under way on the part Of those con-
nected actively with Republican political
organizations to see TO it that the intent
| Of the civil service law is no' exaggerated.
In the discussions at Washington the
/ following order of Secretary MacNeagh
and warning" were gone over line upon
/ line
TREASURY CIRCULAR
Political Aci,,rfv and Assessmeut'
TRvAsrRY DEPARTMENT.
once Of the Secretary.
WAsHISGToS, c'ohcr -, 1870.
Department Circular No. 80.
Division Appointments
To OFFERS. clerks and Employers II h'
Treasury Impairment aud ottors con-
| Your attention il hereby specifically
called 10 the appended draft Of a warning
agains, activity in politics and the collection
81 political assessments or contributions
by Federal officers and employees issued
hy the United States Civil Service Com
mission
The Department promulHates this warn
ing with approval and especially cautions
all the personnel under i's jurisdiction
against anv violation Of the laws. rules and
| regulations apper'aining TO political ac-
,tvity and 'he Illegal collection or payment
| OF political assessments or contributions.
/ ANY violation hereof Will he summarly
deaf with
| \ copy ~ this circular must he posted
In every oN7cn. bureau or division under
tho Jurisdiction 81 the Treasury Depart
men, and no violation Of i.s requirements
oiu N, excused on the ground OF a lack OF
kno,yladr. of the prohibitions cont aimed
Therein. FN,NhLIN MAcvrAGH,
Secretary
rNtlusrnr
W1rn,ny Ayd,n.t .ichtny IN Poiihcs by F.d-
! ,yal D~-.rs rnd Empi1r,.,
I Political Activity.
Rule / section of the civil service rules
roads a. follow.
10 p.r.pn IN the executive civil service
shall use his of1jcial auiuoritv or influence
: for ,b. ,urpo-e nf interfering with an ei.c.
, ZION or affecting ,i.o result thereof Person.
vho hy tho PROVISIONS OF th.s. rules arc il
mo ,onp.,,;lvc classified service. Will,
retaining tho right to vote q. they pleas,
and 10 eNures- privately their opn,on. or
, ! all ,nll,ical subjects shall Yak. no activ,
uar, in rolitical management or in politt,a
r campaigns
. rhn nr., sentence Of the rule apples I,
every person IN The executive civil service
,rre-i,ctiv. of the method OF his appoint,