The New York herald., 1872-04-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, April /

WASHINGTON, April ~, ls72
Mr.. POTTER, (dem.) OF N. Y, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported bill to authorize settlements
by the Secretary of the Treasury with joint debtors
of the United States allowing settlement or COM
promise with joint or several debtors individually.
THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM BILL,
to protect the independence OF the several depart
ments Of the government, was then taken up.
Mr.. Z. II. ROBERTS, repD of Y, advocated the
vice have been exaggerated reform necessary,
unless the millennium had come. The responsibility
now centred upon Congress. The commission,
representing the best intellccts and highest aspi-
ratiOns, had suggested plan, which was now
stronger than at any previous hour. The President
was faithfully trying an important experiment.
Congress proposed nothing ese This bill
DIVORCED LEGISLATION FROM PATRONAGE
Opposition to the only plan proposed was opposi-
tion to the object. IL ought to have fair trial.
No harm could come to the republican party; it
Opponents sought to gain power through pretended
devotion to civil service reform The strength of
the administration was, that amid obloquy 1t strove
for reform and tried to respond to the worthiest
aspirations Of the people.
Mr.. BINGHAM rep), of Ohio, opposed the bill and
was being pressed on the consideration of the
House. He declared that such bill forbidden
by the genius OF our institutions and by the express
ference with the guaranteed privileges OF every
citizen Of the United States. 1t was a miserable
spectacle, and nothing could be said to redeem IL
from absolute contempt. He appealed to his
republican friends to remember that they
were the advance guard In that great
struggle which had resulted substantially and was
TO result fully and completely and forevermore, In
restoring to the people their long lost liberty and
their equal rights. Let them not inaugurate the
business OF going backward. on their own record
and OF attempting to forge letters on the minds and
conscienees Of freemen. Let the civil service be
reformed, but let IL be reformed In the only way
possible under the constitution-that is by the In
tegrity to duty and honor OF executive officers OF
members OF Congress and OF the people themselves.
MI MI. BANKS, (rep.) OF Mass, admitted that there
were great evils connected with the civil service,
put IN MS opinion this bill did not reach this diff
16dy. 6ay., ~ was not remedy. The foundation OF the
@ amcu.es ~, connected with the civil service reform
s as ~ tne TACT that OF late years the people had
~ ~ W peneVe that the only good for themselves
pama unYr successors was In obtaining Office. The
the srtoa, ioo ths was change In their opinions on
change. "oWu ehect Ihae
MI, MI GiAhfiELD, (rep) Of Ohio, made the closing
speecn III layor OF the bill. lie reviewed tbe three
cniei opjectons urged against it-that 80 ~0
1T WAS UNCONsTITtrtoNAr
tnat tne CIVIL service was pure and needod no 90
form, and that the interests OF party reonirnd ,h
maintenance oil the present system. On the frat
point ne referred TO the golden rule OF the govnrn
ment, that the three great departments-the Lars
latlYe, the Executive aud the Judiclary-be sena