The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-19
WASHING ON.
Senator Carpenter Saving the Civil
Service Board.
Sumner Hoist with His One
Term Petard.
"BeWare Of the Vidders''---A
Warning to the House.
"ARBITRAT|0a" OR THE QUAKER G IN.
The Raee for the Vice Presidency-COliaX First,
Boutwell, Second, Blaine Bad Third,
Wilson Withdrawn.
TOBACCO AND INTERNAL TAXES.
Woman Suffrage WOrSted in the Senate
" ARBITRATION" OR THE QUAKER G UN.
TOBACCO AND INTERNAL TAXES.
Woman Suffrage WOrSted in the Senate
and Struggling Before the
Supreme Court.

WASHINGTON Jan. Is, 1872.
Severe md Sarcastic Criticism Of Civil Ser
vice Reform In the Senate.
Mr. Trumbull drove another nail into his political
CONN, at least in the estimation OF radical agitators
by reporting adversely to request for the use OF
the Senate Chamber for the Judiciary Committee to
awe the Woodhullites q public hearing. He also
stated that the committee would soon report on the
main petition, That Tor declaratOry act enforcing
the fourteenth amendment IN their behalf The
character OF that report Is readily predicted, be-
cause it will doubtless be drawn by Senator Carpen-
Ter, who, though in favor Of woman suffrage, does
not as a lawyer believe IN the woodruff plan.
Mr.. Chandler reported and secured the passage OF
D bill granting the Philadelphia city iceboats power
10 use more steam than the regulations now allow.
Mr.. Blair also reported bill relative to supplying
artificial limbs to MANNED officers and soldiers. 1t
was amended on Mr.. COnkling's motion so as to in
clude within its benefits officers below the grade Of
captain. The galleries were well filled and
there was o large number Of privileged
persons ON the floor Of the Senate,
Senator Carpenter having announced MS
Intention to debate the civil service commission
plan OF reform. The interest in this subject is Of
course, very great in city, 80 large portion Of
whose population must be anected by its provisions
Before the hour of one arrived senator Morrill, re.
ported favoraby from the Finance Committee the
House bill enforcing the eight hour law and pro.
Wiling for the payment Of mechanics and others
whom the supcrvlccableness Of supervising arch
ects and other unctiOnaries who have thought they
knew what was meant better than the law Makers
and have, therefore, deducted two hours difference
Of lime from the pay OF men in government employ.
At one O'Clock Mr.. Carpenter took the floor and
proceeded to deliver in an easy and graceful man
ner sharp and telling argument In opposition TO
~ hnm II thltf Tho prao
dent mad yielded to clamor in endorsing the plan
and that the second sober Of the people would
be the other way. Mr.. Carpenter quite face.
tious and made many happy hits OF wit and satire.
HIS reference to the one-term proposition OF Mr..
Sumner was OF this class, and the Wisconsin Sem
tor created hearty laugh by describing In the
quiet way and with the clear and musical voice.
which are parts OF his personality, the
introduction Of an amendment to the proposition
by which no Senator or Representative should ever
be e.elected. He described Mr.. Sumner, forced by
his devotion to principle, taking up his hat and
leaving the Chamber, and ended piece OF keen VIII
by exclaiming, "All hail to the one term Farewell
to the Senator from Massachusetts 1t would be
Dorrowful hour when the Senate lost that great
man; but all human ills be borne" 'Clvli Ser
vice reform" were, In his estimation, but catch.
penny words. Change was not always reform. 1t
was better to stand by what had generally worked
monarchial surroundings. and calculated TO create
q privileged class. MIR. Carpenters line OF oppo-
sition turned on THIS, and also the legal objec-
ton that 1t was not possible TO delegate the ap-
pointing power to any source other than that pro-
vlded by the constltu ion, which was the Executive
soy and with the advice and consent Of the Sem
Ate" If Congress could egalize plan by which
the President should be confined to one of three
men chosen in the proposed way, why could
It not determine who that man should De without
examination. He was very lunny in.contrasting such
what the new rules required Of copying clerks ana
did not require of department heads. petty
consul must be citizen Of the United States, but
the Secretary Of State need not be. copying clerk
must know how to read and write, but the Attorney
General ID not required TO dOsO. lie understood the
ADVISORY Board to be now engaged In grouping the
several grades OF officials but the government was,
he thought. cropping in the dark. Towards
tne close Of his argument, which occupied an hour
and hall, Mir. Carpenter raised considerable
ment by funny references to the questions that
would be addressed to competing applicants He
asked what chemistry would have to DO with
messenger or even a clerks duties, and declared
that for one ne knew no more about chemistry than
he now knew Of the pearly gates OF the New
Jerusalem. or the latter, however, he did some
day expect to know something, for, thank God he
would not have to stand com petitive examination
Tor admission within them.
The senator was severe on the "schoolmaser''
plan. asking why the young man who stayed ut
home should have a better chance that he VINO went
TO the field, simply because the latter did not gliby
tell how far the earth and moon were apart or
which were the four principal rivers emptying into
the Caspian sea.
Mr.. Carpenter was followed by Mr. Trumbu In
reply which, while enective In pointing out the
abuses OF patronage, was critically Speaking, more
damaging to the plan OF the Civil Service
Commission than even MIR. Carpenters open
attack. Mr.. Trumbull charged the abuse on the
usurpation OF the appointing power, wrought
through the use Of patronage by members OF Con-
gress. This was the great evi in his opinion. and
II abolished and fixed tenure OF ONCE established,
the civil service would come round all right. The
Illinois Senator did not believe our officials were
uneducated or not possessed OF sufficient intelli-
gence. nor mad he any great faith in the CON-
pettive system. This was severe blow
10 the scheme In the House OF It's
friends, and Mr. Curtis who sat on sofa near by,
evidently felt 1t. Mr. Trumbuil was very adroit In
handling the Presidents endorsement, and by
having read portions OF the reports where It was
stated now large waste was estimated to occur in
the collection OF revenue through incompetent OIL
cials, managed to arouse the activity
Of Senators like Sherman and Morton,
VINO have charge of administration interests
when they are assailed Mr.. Trumbull was followed
IN animated debate by Messrs. sherman, Morton
and Edmunds the latter holding the 1oor when the
Senate adjourned until Monday.
The discussion developed the fact that the admin
lstraton wing OF the majority do not care Tor the
scheme, and that there is q more than latent I'M
popularity against the proposed plan awaiting the
debates full tide and progress.
Warm Debate ON the Widow WillinmS PeD-
sion In the Housc-Absence of the speaker.
In consequence or the illness of his child the
Steaker announced hat he would be absent from
me House for two days. and appointed Mr.. Dawes