The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-25
XLVII CONGRESS--2d Session.
SENATE.
WAgHrNToN. De,

Mr.. Edmunds objected to the present con-
sideration OF the resolution and it went over.
| At the close of the morning hour the civil
| service bill came up as unfinished business.
Mr.. Pendleton in charge of the bill yielded
| the floor temporarily to Mr.. Plumb to call up
the bill to provide for holding term of the
United States district court at Wichita,
Kansas, which was passed.
The President laid communication from the
chairman of the Washington monument COM
mission transmitting the annual report of
| progress.
| Mr.. Logan moved that when the Senate ad-
| journ to-day it adjourn until Wednesday next,
| but at the suggestion of Mr.. Anthony with
drew the motion temporarily
| Mr.. Plumb gave notice that he would call nm
as early as possible after the holidays the bill
to constitute the bureau of agriculture a
| separate department
The Senate then resumed the consideration
| of the civil service bill.
| The question being on Pugh's amendment
| pr oviding that the present force in the depart
m ents except soldiers, &C., shall be subjected
| to competitive examination like persons out
side and to facilitate such examinations shall
be divided into three classes.
| Mr.. Jones of Florida opposed the amend
ment He favored the bill as it came from the
| committee.
| After some debate Pugh's amendment to
the bill by which it was proposed to subject
| the present clerks in the department to same
| examination as to their qualification proposed
| for new appointees was rejected upon yea
| and nay vote OF % to 49,
| Yeas-Messrs Barrow, Brown. Butler. Cockrell
| Coke Garland George, German, jackson, Jones of
Louisiana, Lamar, Pendleton, Pugh, Slater Vance,
Vest, Voorhees, and Williams.
Nays-Messrs. Aldrich, Alison, Anthony, Bayard
| Blair, Cameron Of Pennsylvania, Cameron Of Wis
| consin, Conger, Chilcott, Davis of Illinois, Ed
munds, Frye, Hawley, Hill, Hoar, Logan. Miller of
California, morrill,, Platt, Plumb, Rollins, Van
| Mr.. Allison offered an amentment of which
| he gave notice the other day, and explained
that it made the bill mandatory upon the Pre-
sident to act under it and also that it secured
publicity to examinations and their results.
Mr.. Butler asked Mr.. Allison to consent to
an amendment permitting persons outside the
departments to compete for all vacancies.
Mr.. Allison declined to do So
Mr.. Bayard said that the introduction of
this new proposition at the end of a two weeks
debate on the committees bill would be the
defeat of civil service reform as recommended
by the commit ee.
tions of Mr.. Allison's amendment SO as to
make il conform to the language of the bill as
amended by the Senate. Agreed to.
Mr.. Brown moved to strike out provision
in the amendment that promotions shall be
from lower grades to higher, and that competi-
tive examinations shall be open to Ill persons
who have served in the department for year,
and said that his object was to throw these ex-
aminationS open to all. Amendment was
agreed to, yeas 30, nays IL.
Mr.. Allson's amendment was then rejected
by vote of Is yeas to % nays.
Mr. Van Wycks amendment pending since
yesterday was agreed to to strike out words as
far as practicable SO as to require that appoint
ment of offices among the states and territories
shall be made absolutely on the basis of popula-
tion.
On motion of Mr.. Morgan, the first section
OF the bill was amended so as to provide that
there shall be three commissioners instead of
five, and that they shall hold no other official
places under the United States
Mr. Voorhees, offered an amendment, of
which he gave notice the other day, providing
that applicants for appointment as commits
sionerS under this act shall be examined by
board of school teachers to ascertain their COM
potency to prescribe rules for the examination
of other candidates for Office.
After debate Mr.. Voorhees, amendment was
rejected.
Mr.. Allison offered an amendment of which
he had given notice, providing that commits
sioners may designate in each State and terri
tories suitable number of persons, not less
than three, in the official service of the United
States. to act as examiners of application for
office.
Mr. Brown proposed an amendment which
Mr.. Allison accepted, requiring that the off,
GERS so designated shall reside in the State or
territories in which they are to act as examin-
ers, and Mr.. Morgan offered as an additional
vice or recommendation by any Senator or
Representative, of any applicant for an ap-
pointment in the civil service shall be consd-
cred or received, unless previously asked for
in writing by the examiners
Mr. Hawey offered as three additional sec
tions his bill TO prevent the United States Off
GERS and employees from soliciting or receiving
from each other assessments or contributions
for political purposes.
In the discussion Mr.. Butler asked Mr.. Hoar
if hQ fhou0 had fhn IN nrO
|. hibit the giving of money by an employe OF
the government for political purpose.
Mr.. Hoar said for corrupt political purpose.
Mr.. Butler asked him how the employees
could know that it was for such purpose.
Mr.. Hoar-To buy a shotgun to shoot ne
groes would be such purpose
Mr.. Butler-Or to buy votes and disfranchise
10000 people, as it is said they have done in
Massachusetts,
Mr.. Hoar- What does the Senator mean by
that?
Mr.. Butler-I mean that it is stated that
they disfranchised 10000 men in the State of
Massachusetts. / proposed polite inquiry to
the Senator and when he injects into his reply
piece of venom propose TO answer him in
the same manner. He undertook to thrust at
me very unworthy suggestion, and when he
proposed to discuss his shotgun policy with
me, am prepared to meet him.
Mr.. Hoar-I made no allusion whatever to
the Senator in any form, shape or manner; 1
alluded to one manner OF using political con-
tributions and if any personal application has
been made of that remark
Mr.. Butler-Ahem! Mr.. President
Mr.. Hoar interrupted, claiming that he had
the floor, but the presiding officer swarded it to
Mr. Butler, who again said be had asked a
question in politeness and good temper, to
which Mr.. Hoar had reDlied in an extremely
offensive manner and that when he (Butler)
made personal application of the remark, he
intended to say by inuendo what he perhaps
dare not say directly, and that he was afraid of
being held to any personal responsibility, for
he (Butler) had no idea of having any such
personal issue with him,
Hoar-I made no personal allusion whatever
TO the Senator from South Carolina. 1 alluded
to one form of political crime in this country
without any thought of an individual applica-
ton to any Senator. wish to say to Senator
from South Carolina that never hint or insin-
uate anything to anybody. If my public duty
requires me to state any opinion, whether cred
liable or otherwise, of the character or history
OF that Senator or any other L shall do it in
terms, the clearness and distinctness of which
will leave him in no doubt as to my meaning.
| (Slight applause in the gallery.)
The President gave warning that If the DEM
onstrations were repeated the galleries would
be closed.
Vest-I hope not, Mr.. President; this is only
ripple on the surface of this debate that we
had this evening. tLausht.r.f aEowy Mr..
| President, that this storm of war has passed
| propose to submit a few feeble remarks on the
lesal aSpecb VI Tue queSIlOn. kINenoWeu Ap-
| pfause.
At the conclusion of Mr. Vests remarks Mr.
| Voorhees, suggested that it was now within
half an hour of Sunday morning, and as it was
obvious that the bill could not pass tonight, he
moved to adjourn. At Mr.. Pendleton's sug-
| gestion he withdrew his motion temporarily in
order that an understanding might be had as to
| the disposition of the bill next week, and at
| 11.35 the Senate adjourned until Wednesday
| with the unanimous agreement that the bill
shall be taken up after the morning business,
to be debated under the ten minntes' rule nd
disposed of on that day.
HOUSE.
In the absence of the Speaker, the House
was called to order by Mr.. Page of California
as Speaker pro tenn.
After the approval of the journal, Mr..
White of Kentucky made point of order that
the journal could not be approved in the abb
seuce of quorum, but the Speaker pro tenn.
held that the point was made too late.
Mr.. Peelle of Indianasmoved that the House
adjourn, pending which the Speaker pro tenn
submitted five requests for leave of absence
but they were objected to amid much noise
and confusion
The House refused to adiourn-yeas So, nays