Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1900 — Refuses to Be Held Up Again. . [ARTICLE]

Refuses to Be Held Up Again. .

Mr. Elmer Wilcox of this place who holds a position as railway mail clerk with headquarters of his division at Louisvilie, Ky., some days ago received the following letter from the corruption fund collector in Kentucky. Mr. Wilcox has always been a republican, but the present administration is a little more than he can stand; Below we publish the letter in full and Mr. Wilcox’s reply to same: 1 Louisville, Ky., Oct. io, 1900. Mr. E. J. Wilcox, Louisville, Ky. Dear Sir: Developments indicate conclusively that by meansof coercion, very closely approximating blackmail, all the large corporations (including,the railroad interests) have been compelled to make immense contributions to z the Democratic campaign fund. The gamblers of this city pay large weekly assessments to the same fund, and all State employees, are openly and shamelessly assessed 30 per cent, of their salaries to swell this tremendous corruption fund. The use of this large amount of money greatly endangers the election of Yerkes and McKinley and Roosevelt. In this emergency and to couneract to some degree this open and lavish use of money to debauch this State, this committee mak»s a final appeal to you, as one who is being benefited by the Republican admimstratiou, for a more liberal contribution than that with which you have favored us. The questions we desire to submit are brief and and explicit: (1) Is not your present position more secure and tolerable than it would be were Mr. Bryan Piesident? (2) Is it more than fair that those who are receiving benefits from this administration should contribute liberally to its continuance? (3) Are you entirely satisfied that the restoration of civil liberty in this State will ever be effected until power is given to the Republicans and their honest Democratic allies sufficient to accomplish this desired end. (4) If the Democratic managers can assess and collect 30 per cent, of the salaries of State employees, cannot you afford to pay at least 5 per cent, of your annual salary, which will be faithfully and conscientiously used in defraying the legitimate expenses of our campaign? Upon your answers to these questions will dej end your action relative to the request above indicated. Very truly yours, J. A. Stafford, 552 W. Jefferson St. I have been commissioned by the State Campaign Committee to collect funds, and in making a contribution to me you do not in any way violate any provisions of the Civil Service Law. J. A. S. MR. WILCOX'S REPLY. Rensselaer, Ind , Oct. 23, 1900. Mr.J. A. Stafford, Louisville, Ky. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 10th inst., explaining the imperative necessity of a contribution from me to the republican campaign fund, and stating your reasons for asking same, is received. I may say, however, that since I am not a resident of Kentucky, I have no special interest in the election of Yerkes for Governor, and, as regards the national republican ticket, I beg to state that I cannot support the present administration as it has been carried out during the last three years; neither do I approve of the principles advocated in their present platform. That you may know my exact position in the campaign now before us, I take the liberty to answer the questions which you have submitted, for I think the questions are excellent, from a republican standpoint. (1) The Civil Service Law is the will of the peojjle expressed through their representatives in Congress until this law is repealed, Mr. Bryan nor any other person can seriously interfere with its operation. When the whole people desire its repeal, it will be because of a better substitute. (2) It is a fact that those receiving benefits from this administration have contributed liberally to its continuance. From the reports in the newspapers, it appears that all the trusts, railroad corporations, iron and steel manufactures, and all others who are benefited by the present administration have raised a campaign fund never before equalled in the history of this country. (3) This being a question in which lam not interested, I beg to pass it by with the hope that the present disturbed condition of affairs in your state may be speedily corrected by proper legislation. (4) lam not quite sure that the Democraaic managers are assessing state employes in the shameful manner which you indicate, but be that as it may, employes under the Service are not required to make any contribution whatever. A campaign fund may be a necessity, but the immense amounts of money thus employed at the present day, like misapplied charity, are in my opinion, productive of more harm than good. I answer your letter only to put myself on recordas being opposed to the principles advocated by the republican party platform, and not for any purpose of argument, since I know that is not desired; neither will my position in the Service all me to enter into any discussion of politics. I had rather support a candidate, the fancied objections to whom are vague and imaginary, than one whose known policy is so mnch at vaiiance with the ideas of the founders of this Government, and whose [jarty seems to indulge the idea that the greatest good should be done for the smallest number. I am, Yours very respectfully,

E. M. WILCOX.