New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-01
Civil Service Corruption.

Civil Service Corruption.
In the United States Senate last Monday
Mr.. Conkling Republican. New York; Of
fered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the President be requested
to inform the Senate of the number of re-
Communications for appointment to or re-
moval from office, so far as can be ascer-
tanned, made to the present administration
by persons now Senators from the States OF
| New York, Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska
respectively, giving such particulars as may
| be given in regard to such recommendations
in regard to the persons whose appointment
or removal was proposed, together with a
| statement of the number Of cases in which
| action was taken in accordance with such
| recommendations respectively OF the num-
Der of such persons so appointed who have
been removed; also. whether any Senators
have selected appointments or removals in
any sense other than by transmitting papers
stating the character and qualifications Of
| applicants or of those who vouched for ap-
| plicants; and if So what Senators.
Mr.. Sawyer Republican, South Caro-
| lina) moved to include South Carolina.
Mr. Conkling accepted the amendment.
Mr.. Upton Republican, Nebraska
moved to amend 30 as to include all the
| States.
Mr.. Conkling said that he was willing to
vote for similar resolution applying to
all the States, but he preferred to have this
| one pass unchanged, as he desired the in
formation asked for as soon as possible.
Mr.. Upton said that Mr.. Conkling seemed
to favor partial investigations.
Mi. Sumner Republican, Massachusetts,
called attention to the fact that Mr.. Schurz
Republican, Missouri) and Mr.. Trumbull
Republican. Iliinois) had just taken their
seats. Investigation must not be pressed
behind the backs of the Senators con-
cerned.
Mr.. Conkling said that he had noticed
the absence Of the Sen atOrs mentioned.
He would be candid, and say that it was
his own recommendations he wished to
get at.
Mr.. Schurz asked to have the resolution
read, as he was absent when it was offered.
The resolution was again read.
Mr.. Trumbull-When this matter of
recommendations to Office was brought to
the attention of the Senate on Friday by
the Senator from Indiana Mr.. Norton, 1
did not think proper to reply to his Observa-
tions, and when he stated that he had seen
tabular statement showing the number of
recommendations made by me, thought it
was business very much beneath the Senate
and beneath any Senator to be prowling
about the departments trying to find out
by me or by any Senator, as if that
had anything to do with the gues-
ton then before the Senate. | shall make
ne opposition to this resolution. Let
us have the investigation, and let it 60 fur
Their. l want to know who the sneaks are
who go around to the departments seeking
information of this kind. | want to know at
whose instance it was that the department
officials have been engaged in making out
tabular statements in reference to one of
the members of this body. | want to know
who called for the information, and whether
it was required in reference to all the Sen
ators, or only in reference to one. Let us
see who those persons are THAT thus go
prowling around the departments. Let US
know from the heads of the departments
for what purpose this information
purposes or for personal, mean
and contemplate purposes. l am
willing to have this resolution pass.
but l trust that civil service reform
is not to be defeated or corruption covered
up by personal attacks on those who at
tempt to expose them. 1t is matter of
very little concern to the people whether
and men for Office but it is of great i'm
portance to them to know whether i'm
proper, dishonest, corrupt men are put into
Office, and whether they are placed there
for personal, mercenary and improper ends.
l am willing that this resolution should
pass with the amendment have suggested.
If there is anything to be made out of it,
let the Senators from Indiana and New
York have the benefit of it. So far as am
concerned say to those Senators, clay on,
MacDuff, and damned be he who first cries
hold, enough"
Mr.. COnkling said that he would accept
the amendment proposed by Mr.. Trumbull.
Mr.. MOrtOn-The statement | spoke of
Friday was not made out at my request
do not know at whose request it was made
out, but l had seen it. should not have
referred to it. however, but for the ipsinua-
tions which the Senator (Trumbull) had
made in regard to myself and others hang
ing on to the skirts Of power for mercenary
purposes. | have a right to denounce
hypocrisy wherever | find it. If any man
comes here and casts insnuations upon me |
that | am seeking for patronage, while he |
himself has gone as far as any one in
recommending to Office, has recommended
in writing and verbally, has even gone to
the executive and demanded personally the |
of relatives and friends has |
been persistent, has been importunate, if
any such man comes on this floor and |
casts imputatiOn on me, l have the right, |
without being criticised for it, to call atten- |
ton to what he has done himself. In regard |
to prowling around the departments, have !
been in only one department during this ses- |
sion of Congress l do not 60 to the de- |
partments once where suppose the Sen |
ator (Mr. Trumbull) goes twenty times; |
and so far as sneaks are concerned, who is |
a sneak9 Is it the man who comes here !
and casts imputations on Senators, impugns |
their motives, talks about their hanging |
on the skirts of power, and attempts to
make party capital by charges of that kind,
when he has been one of the most impor- |
tunate seekers for office, and has urged the |
appointment Of his friends personally and |
in writing time and again Now, l said
that had seen statement showing that
the Senator had made l03 recommendations
In writing to this administration. believe |
that statement to be true, and it will be
verified under the resolution offered by the
Senator from New York.
The resolution went over at the expira-
ton Of the morning hour
kNIuG,