Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-13
Senate.

motion of Mr.. Hoar a resolution was
adopted directing the postmaster general to
transmit as soon as possible the last report
on the administration of the postoffice in
New York city. Also resolution directing
the secretary of the treasury to transmit
the report Of Edward O'Grimes On the adj
ministration of the custom house, naval
Office and surveyors Office in New York.
At the close of the morning hour Mr..
Beck proposed to call up his resolution for
an investigation of political assessments,
but in the absence of Mr.. Edmunds, whose
resolution to refer to the committee on
Judiciary was pending, he agreed it should
be laid aside temporarily. The senate
then proceeded to consider bills as on the
calendar.
Previous to going to the calendar the
president submitted a memorial of the
board of trade of Chicago in favor of the
Lowell bankruptcy bill.
Mr.. Cameron. of Pennsylvania, present
ed petitions in favor of the increase OF
pensions to one armed and one-legged SOL
diers.
Bills were introduced as follows:
BIZ Mr.. Ferry, granting pensions to
Stewart Herbert and to Mrs. Revere, the
latter widow Of Briggar Revere. Re-
ferred.
By Mr.. Miller, of California, a bill for
the payment CT certain Indian war bonds
off California. Referred.
By Mr.. Beck, to prohibit officers and
employees OF the United States from con-
tributing money for political purposes.
Referred.
Mr.. Vest offered resolution, which was
agreed to, instructing the committee On
territories to inquire and report what leg
islation is necessary to protect public
property and enforce the Laws in the Ye]-
1oTatone park and pyeser7e game there.
Also whether the area of the park should
be extended, and if Sc to what extent
Several bills Of a private nature were
passed and debate ensued on the bill pro-
posing to equalize the pay of chaplains in
the navy with that of army chaplains.
MIR. Plumb inquired of Mr.. Vance if it
would salt him as well to equalize pay by
reducing the army chaplains to the navy
standard.
Mr.. Vance replied in the negative, as
serting that he did not want to see the
praying force of this country reduced, but
thought it ought to be increased.
Laughter
Finally the bill was laid aside to take
up the Perdleton civil service measure.
The amendments reported from the com.
mittee on civil service reform were agreed
to, and Mr.. Pendleton proceeded to ad-
dress the senate.
Mr.. Pendleton said the question of civil
service had been submitted to the people
in the recent election, and they had spoken
in no low or uncertain tone. The expendi-
Of 4lo
year were $402. 100000, nearly So per head
for every man, woman and child in the
United States-more money, probably,
than was appropriated during the first
forty years of the ex stence of the govern
ment. 1t Was the method of administra-
ton By the Republicans that made it pcs
sible for Democrats and other citizens who
placed their country higher than their
party to elect Democratic state
ticket in Ohio, and sixteen of twenty -one
members OF congress. He said sixteen,
because although only thirteen of them
had received their certificates, the other
three would certainly be seated by the next
house if certificates were not given them
in the meantime. The civil service has
welded the whole of it's employees into a
great political machine an army whose
efforts have, at least twice within short
period CT our history, robbed the people of
the results Of the presidential election.
The underlying idea of the bill was
that officers Of the government are trusts for
the people; that the performance of duties
Is to be IN the interest OF the people; that
there is no excuse for the existence OF Of
flee Or payment of salary except it be nee
essary for the welfare of the people; that
every surperfiuons Office should be cut of;
and every incom potent othceholder dis
missed; that the employment of two where
one will suffice, is robbery, and that if sal
aries are so high as to justify the levying
of forcea contributions of 2 to 10 per cent.
they are too high, and ought to
be reduced. The bill was designed as
method of applying to candidates for
public employment the Jeffersonian
tests, fidelity, honesty, capacity. 1t dealt
only with the departments in Washington
and custom houses and other public offices
employing more than fifty persons. The
number of such Offices did not exceed
thirty five, and the whole number of en-
ployes to whom the bill would apply would
not be more than 10000. The bill did not
touch at all the question of removals.
Some gentlemen were disposed to
wait until after the presidential
election before passing the bill to reform
the civil service in the hope that change
of administration would give a share %
the Offices to Democrats. But the Demo
cratic party might not elect the new presi-
dent, and he believed would not unless its
representatives in congress did two things:
First, respond to the demands of the people
upon the party in its present condition of
probation, and second, disarm the great
body of officials who, as great disciplined
army, 60 forth to peryert and control the
elections. In conclusion, Mr.. Pendleton
said he believed the passage of this meas
ure would hasten the day of the Demo-
cratic triumph, but even if he thought
otherwise he would still urge it, because
much as he loved the Democratic party he
loved his country more.
Mr.. Allison replied briefly to Mr.. Pendle-
toms remarks about the appropriations
made last session. Whatever else might
be said of the appropriations of the last
session. they were recommended
by members of the COM
mittee of both parties with substantial
unanimity, and it was not fair for Senator
Pendleton to attempt to make party capt.
tai by charging the Republicans alone
with the responsibility. The Democrats