Evening journal., 1914-11-12
Peoples Column
CIVIL SERVICE AND

~ AAN II 10
To the Editor of THE EVENING |
JOURNAL:
Sir-Anent your recent editorial, in
which you condemn the Democratic
administration for the discharge of a
rural letter carrier for having ex-
pressed an opinion on the Demo-
cratic tariff policy, ! wish to call
your attention to a warning recently
posted by the United States Civil
Service Commission against activity
in politics by federal officers and
employees taken from the Civil Ser
vice Law and Rules, and which show
the absolute mental slavery TO which
civil service employees are subjected
and by means of which they are
stripped of their manhood and robbed
of their right to express an opinion
or to affiliate with their fellow men
for the betterment of the human
race. The penalty for infraction of
these rules, dishonorable discharge,
is too severe to be ignored by those
dependent for their bread and butter
upon the whims of their political
masters, and Civil Service employees
are thus converted into economic and
political towards. The Executive
Order, containing this warning, was
issued December 30. 1911, during
a Republican administration, and
names the Forms of Political Ac-
tivity Forbidden. as follows:
"FOrms OF Political Activity For
hidden.
Some of the forms of activity to
hs lrr
given below. II is not to be assumed
that other forms of political activity
are permissible because they are not
mentioned.
Candidacy for or service as dele
gate, alternate or proxy in any poll
tical convention or as an officer or
employe thereof; acting as officer of
any political convention or caucus,
addressing II, making motions, pre-
pairing or assisting I'm preparing resO-
lutiOns. representing other persons,
OF taking any prominent part there
in; service on or for any political
committee or other similar organi-
zation; serving as officer of a politi-
cal club, as member or officer of any
of its committees, addressing such a
club, or being active in it's organiza-
/ tion; service in preparing for, or
| ganizing or conducting political
meeting or rally, addressing such a
meeting. or taking any other active
part therein except as a spectator: :
/ giving public expression to political
views. engaging in political discus
sions or conferences while on duty
or in public places, OF canvassing a
district or soliciting political support
for any party, faction, candidate, or
measure; offensive activity at the
polls at primary or regular elections,
soliciting votes. assisting voters to
mark ballots. or I'm getting out the
voters on registration and election
days, acting rs accredited checker,
watcher, or challenger of any party
or faction, assisting in counting the
vote, or engaging in any other activ-
fly at the polls except the marking
and depositing of the employees own
ballot serving in any position of
election officer. publishing or being
connected editorially. managerially,
or financially with any political
newspaper. and writing for publica-
tion or publishing any letter or ar
ticle, signed or undersigned. in favor
I
didate, faction, or measure: activity
in campaigns concerning the regula-
tion or suppression of the liquor
traffic; candidacy for nomination or
election to or holding local Office
distribution of campaign literature
badges or buttons. or wearing such
badges or buttons while on duty; the
circulation but not the signing OF
political petitions Cncluding initia-
tive and referendum. recall and
nomination petitions; activity in
woman suffrage campaigns; and
general political leadership or be-
coming prominently Identified with
any political movement, party. OF
faction, or with the success or failure
of anv candidate for election to pub
lie office.
! Temporary employees. emnloyes on
leave of absence with or without nay
and substitute clerks and carriers
and other substitutes holding CONNIE
titive positions are subject to th'
rule prohibiting political activity