Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
HARD WORK TO KEEP THE LEGIs-
LATORS FROM PLAYIGG TRUANT.

The Civil Service Bill Aga N Debated in the
Senate--Mahone Heard From--He Hints
at the Code as Retaliation for the In
suits Heaped Upon Him--The House
Without Quorum.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-After the read
ing of the journal the senate went into ex-
ecutive session, during which the following
postmasters were confirmed: James Ruth,
Ia, at Lansing; s. W. McEldery at Alton;
Thomas L. Hoffman, Fairfield Il. R. Cren-
shaw Marengo; Julius Ropes at Ishpen-
ing, Mich; John Pickert at st. Charles.
Mimi; Jacob NJ. Bee at Paris, ILL.,; VIM.
Herth at M~berly, Mo-, Luther R. Palmer
at st. Mary's. Kan.
number of petitions were presented
for an allowance of rebate in case of the
repeal of the tobacco tax, and urging
prompt action upon the question.
Mr Sherman moved to proceed to con-
sideration of the bonded whisky bill, but
Mr.. Hale hoped he would not insist until
the civil service bill was disposed of.
Finally, after Messrs. Bayard and Ran
som had urged consideration of the form
er's resolution declaring the sense of the
senate TO be in favor of allowing a rebate
| on stocks of tobacco on hand in case of
reduction of tax. Mr.. Sherman withdrew
his motion and Mr.. Bayard called up the
tobacco resolution.
MI. Morrill, offered an amendment modi-
tying the resolution so Is to promise re-
bate only IN case of failure to give ample
notice OF the time when the act to ret.uce
the tax shall take effect.
Debate followed, and the amendment
was adopted, twenty eight to sixteen. The
resolution as amended was then adopted.
1t reads:
Resolred, That it is the sense of the
senate that whenever the internal revenue
tax on tobacco, snuff or cigars is reduced
or removed, unless ample previous notice
of the time when the act is to take effect
be given, proportionhte rebate of taxes
paid on stocks on hand should be allowed.
The bill to extend the bonded period on
whisky was then taken up.
Mr.. Morrill, offered an amendment pro-
vlding that spirits produced on and after
Jan. l, 1884, shall be withdrawn one year
from the time they are entered or deposited
in the distillery warehouse. Rejected, ayes
81, nays 80.
At p. m. the civil service bill came up
as unfinished business.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that as soon
as this bill was out of the way he would
proceed with the whisky bill.
Mr.. Van Wyck moved to amend section
2 of the civil service bill so as to require
absolutely the apportionment of offices
among the states and territories on the
basis of population. The civil service of
this government, he said, was honest, faith
full and efficient. The only objection made
to it was in respect to the method of ap-
pointment and removal, and this bill left
that method unchanged as to the distribu-
ton of Offices. This amendment would
make it fair to all, and would relieve sena-
tors and representatives from the pressure
of which they complain, just as the law
distributing appointments to West Point
among congressional districts saves them
from importantly on that subject.
The question was on Mr.. Hoar's amend
ment to AIR. Ailison's substitute for The
first section to strike out the words fixing
the term of Office of the commissioners.
Mr.. Allison said he had received a COM
munication commencing this bill to his
favor and stating that ''honest competition
and probation as a condition of entrance to
the service and dismissal for legitimate
cause only are the chief provisions of the
BILL" and he called upon the senator in
charge of the bill (Pendleton) to see
whether he thought one of the chief merits
of his bill was that it would prevent re-
movals except for cause.
Mr.. Pendleton said the bill imposed no
limitation upon the constitutional power of
the president in this respect
| Mr.. Hoar explained that the bill did not
interfere with the existing status of any
officer, or with the constitutional power of
the president to remove, but by taking
away the motive to dismiss good men so
as to give their places to others, it tended
toward security of tenure.
Mr.. Allison-Then the Pendleton bill as
interpreted by its advocates here does not
provide for the dismissal of their success
ors, in six years. Lost, ayes %, nays 81.
Mr.. Salisbury offered an amendment
which was adopted, requiring the commls-
sioners to take oath to perform their duties
impartially and without political bias.
On motion of Mr.. Plumb the salaries of
the commissioners were reduced from
$4,000 to $500.
MI. Logan gave uOtlcO tnab no would
move to make it $4,000.
Mr.. Malone addressed the senate in
prepared speech. He thought the direct
accountability of public officers to the peo-
pie the safest guarantee of the proper
discharge of their duties, and believed the
honorable condition of political parties
would ever serve to stimulate to such per-
Torrance of duties.
Mr.Hawley said the power of removals
was left unit ouched. Those who said the
bill provided for life tenure were merely
arguing: that as but fit men would
be appointed, and as no one could be re-
moved for the purpose of giving his place
to another, removals would not be made
except for good cause.
Mr.. Morgan preferred that the commits
sioners provided for in the bill should be
removable by the president only with the
consent of the senate.
MIR. Hoar withdrew his amendment and
the question was taken on Browns amend
ment making the terms for the first COM
missioners one, two and three years re-
spectlvely, and that of their successors six
years. Lost.
Mr.. Malone assured Mr.. Beck that he