Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-19
THE SENATE TODAY.
Mr. Kell0gg's Resolution AbOut
Government Employees Is Dis.
cusAed and Passed Senatorial
appointments COnSuls Com.
nIAinGd nf.

nIs he11OSSs hesO1ut1On About
government Employees Is Dis.
cusAed and Passed Senatorial
Appointments - COnsuls Com.
plhined Of
Mr.. Kellogg offered resolution, calling upon
the heads of the various executive departments
for information as to the names OF the officers,
clerks and employees borne on the rolls OF such
departments, together with the date OF ap-
pointment, the state to which each Is charged
the compensation received, and whether such
Officers, &C., are white or colored. He SPOKE
briefly In support of the resolution. deny ing
that 1t was his intention to disturb any merl-
toIious officers, but merely to give the Senate
all the information possible, as TO whether each
state had its proper quota OF Offices.
MIR Plumb said 1t was belle 9ed the District OF
Columbia had about tWo-thirds Of the Offices
that It might be necessary to keep up an Office
holding class in the District, but II persons are
to be put in off1ce through the back door, or
any round about way, or IL offices are to be
bought and sold, as is constantly being done in
TITS District, the people ought to know 1t. Mr..
be made to I'LL posit1 OnS better than men VINO
had been in Office for many years; that rev
blood would benefit the government He offered
amendment calling for the further Information
as to how many OF such clerks or employees
served in the volunteer or regular service OF
the United States during the war OF the re-
bellion.
Mr.. Morrill said he thought 1t degrading for
the senate to engagein this small matter OF
distributing offices. 1t would inaugurate q
scramble IN the Senate to see If each state has
Mr.. Kellogg wanted to know II Mr.. Morrill,
said to applicants for office who came to him
that 1t was degrading to ask for Office and that
Ii was better for them to be bartered and Sold
Mr. Morrill,. with some warmth, denied that
ne had said anything to warrant such distor-
t1on OF his language.
that the law to distribute appointments am ong
the states applied only to the Treasury depart
ment; that apparently about one. fourth OF the
employes OF that department were from the
Tito public Sci vice years ago. and established
themselves in the District, though: very many
bad not abandoned their former residences
The information called for would cost large
sum, and he thought the resolution should 60
over until the regular session OF Congress.
MT. Sherman said the law to distribute the pat
ronage was passed In 1876, and intended to ap-
ply only TO appointments made after that date.
MIR. Kellogg replied that more than 60 per
cent. OF the appointments made since 1876 were
made 10 Violation OF the law, and he called
upon Mr.. Sherman, who had been the Secretary
OF the Treasury since 1877, to say If that law
had not been disregarded.
After further debate by Mr.. Brown Ia favor OF
the resolution, Mr.. Sherman moved to go into
executive session. LoSt-yeas %, nays rs.
Mr.. EELLoGG'S RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
Mr.. Plumbs amendment was then agreed to.
and Mr. Kelloggs resolution, as amended, was
adopted.
APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED.
The Vice President announced the following
appointments:-Mr Miller (Cal.) to be one of
the board OF visitors to the Naval Academy.
MIR. Hill (Col) and Mr.. MaXey CTexas) to I'LL
vacancies on the board OF regents OF the Smith
soD1an institution; MI. Rollins IN to be one
OF the directors OF the Columbia hospital
COMPLAINTS ABOUT CoEsULs.
Mr. Beck said that some OF the importing
houses OF New York were complaining Of orders
Issued by the consul at Liverpool and other
consuls who, instead OF charging 50 so for each
Invoice verified, charged $40. He therefore
offered resolution calling on the Secretary OF
the State for Information as to whether any
consular officer OF the United States has, dur
1Ig the last fiscal year, demanded or received
for ver1featton OF invoices greater sum than
$3.50, and II so, the name of such officer. Mr.
BECK stated that he was willing TO let the resc-
luflon lie over until tomorrow, as he believed
the Senate could not finally adjourn to day.
Mr.. Harris. however, taking issue with Mr..
Beck on this point the resolution was taken
up and agreed to without opposition, and then
at 1870, the Senate went into executive session