Morning journal and courier., 1882-12-13
Forty-Seventh Congress.
WASHINGTON, Dec, 1:

WASHINGTON, Dec. F.
 sENATE.-Mr. Beck introduced bill prohi biting employees of the United States from contributing mo. ey for political purposes.
 MT. Hoar introduced resolutions calling for reports house officials and the surveyors and appraisers and surveyors in the offices in New York; adopted tee on Territories to inquire what sgisatton if is to protect the property of the United In park and whether it's should be extended and contracts made to lease any portion of privileges stages therein adopted resolution was also adopt ed directing the Secretary to furnish estimates Of the work necessary for improving the Potomac flats during the next fiscal year.
 MT. Pendleton made elaborate speech in favor of ihe general propositions of the measure, remarking that the result of the last elections showed that the people were anxious for reform of the of this government. Ha said the civil service now was inefficient, expensive extravagant and in many instances corrupt Those evils were apparent that even the blind must ana the deaf must hear them He quoted largely from the report of the commitee civil service and retrenchnent in support of his position and decl red tn at intelligent handling of this question would secure better service at great reduction of public expenditure He attacked the system of political assessments. It denoralzed those trbuted understood that they paying to retain their places. It was the improper and extravagant lican disasters at the last elections This result not Democratic triumph solely. It was aided by of all parties upon whom the love of country sat heavier than the love of party.
 MT. Allison said many of the abuses enumerated by ecutive administration. defended the action of the Appropriations committee and said it unfair to charge the Republicans with extravAsyance espe cal of the fact that the parties evenly divided in the Senate Twenty three Democrats vot- ed for the river and harbor bill and only three against it.
 MT. Sherman deprecated bringing politics into this discussion. His colleagues would find when the vote tah that the Republicans ready to wei any reform in public service the Democrats. The result the election ip Ohio owing to pop ular objection to the Prohibition movement. He believed the civil service ought to be reformed, that plan of appointments by some system of examina- tion should be adopted. The power of removal ought to be most guarded and there should be some provision for fixing the term of office of government employ
 Mr. Hawley hoped that the Senate would keep off the field of political debate ard conine themselves to the simple question of civil service reform He thought the bill contained excellent provisions which would improve the whole public service of the country
 Several amendments prohibiting political assess tenn were introduced and ordered printed. The Sen ate went into executive session at 4:10 D. and ad- journed at 4:50 D. m.
 HoUsE.-Three appropriation bills were reported to the House from committees, the agricultural, the postof1ice and the military academy bills
 MT. Randall offered resolution calling on the President for information to the amount of money rivers and harbors since the founda ton Of the government the amount by years and the sum for each river and also what improv to navigation this has been, and whether any has been used for rivers not navigable.
 The House then took the bill for the erection of
 building for the Congressi onal library, which had been made the special order for to-day. The discus sion of the bill consumed the entire afternoon The bill amended that the building shall cost but P 000 OO0 after long discussion recommited to the com ottce by considerable majority. MT Robe od to reconsider tho vote recommending the bill and Mr. Randall moved to lay that motion the table, Pending the vots that motion the House at o'clock a0lOurDod,