New-York tribune., 1882-02-14
XLVIITH CONGRESS--1sT SESSION
REGULAR REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.

REGULAR REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
| SENATOR'S DAWES AND PENDLETON ON CIVIL SER
| VICE REFoRM--BILLs PAssED-FURrHER DISCUS
SION OF THE REAPPORTIONMENT BILL IN THE
| HOUSEHOLDS INTRODUCED.
In the Senate to-day a resolution was adopt
ed, offered by Mr. VOORHEES, Dem.. IndJ, directing an
inquiry to be made by the Committee on Library into
the alleged contract between the committee and Henry
d. Saunders for the execution OF q bust In marble OF
Count Pulaski and for the carrying Of the contract into
| effect, II the same be proved
The Senate under the Anthony rule took up and con-
nued the consideration OF bills the calendar unob-
jected to until 1870 The following Senate bills were
passed To provide for the OF the lands Of the Miami
Indians in Kansas to amend article 1O3 OF the Rules
and Articles of war Imposing limitation OF two years
from the date Of enlistment against prosecutions for de-
sertiOn 20 promote the efficiency OF the Navy makng
drunkenness ncapacity arising from misconduct and
not contracted In the line duty, sufficient reason to
prevent an officer of the Navy being placed the re-
tired s and allowing him, upon discharge b. the Pres
dent, one years pay.
Tho Pension Arrears resolution came up as unfinished
bu mess. but was laid aside temporarily.
Mr.. DAWES REP. Mass), by special assignment, then
addressed the Senate In favor OF Civll service REFORM
his remarks being made upon the reference Of his bill
providing for entrance into and promotion IN the CYi
Service of the Government by competitive examination,
which taken up to enable him to be heard upon H.
IL said the pers to institutions from The cOmpi-
cations OF every Presidential election were In part or
nrnyisions for 9ppointmcnts TO Office The collections
ana 9t on te oGo sce ha1 n evil bad
assumed its present proportions every Chief Magistrate
had cried for dvcrance. and more than one was be
loved have lost his life from this cause The spectacle
of the President OF great Nation feeding Ike keeper
titude which daily gathers around the dispenser Of
patronage was humnating to the
Phe Executive must be lifted ont Of this current be
carried away with ii. The malign influence of this
political domination in appointments also bore oner-
onsy upon the Congressman consuming bis time
exhausing his strength absorbing his mind and impair
ing his mental and physical forces as legislator IN ne
ending struggle for place The belief that the
public service was charitable institution, furnishing
employment to the needy and nome 10 those adlI was
another element which appealed to Democrats and Re
publicans alike.
After enareing upon the spols system and the lesser
evils Mr. Dawes argued that these 10 be destroyed
only by direct responsibility of an appointing power
closer contact He insanced "a illustrating the good
results OF such system the operations OF the census
Bnreau under General Walker by whom all me nenoers
of the force selected and directed; and the
management of he NewY0rk Post Office, where, since
1873. the appointment and retention OF an emplOye is
depencnt solely the character OF his performance
of his task No power intervencs between the head OF
tnat office and those who do his bidding and as conse-
qncuce, everything moves with the perfection OF clock
work whc no poll ca power can dlrodge the appolntee
The remedy he (Mr Dawes suggested could not be ap
piled the Civil Service il at present constituted Com
YET proposed this end. It hal already been tried in
than one branch of the service ana II was now
proposed make it, in limited compulsory in all
1t wOld eliminate arilsan'nlp ana lnc0mpeehcl rom
Official appointments. This the purpose of tue bills
on the subject introduced by Mr. PENDLETON and him
self his own being intended to anagOniZe the other
but merely change Of its methods and TO widen
its scope.
Mr. PENDLETON Dem. Ohio said that he had listened
atteutiVely to the remarks OF Mr. Dawes, AM he et
uraiilied being able 70 say that in movement couI-
maudin this did, the highest aspirations OF our
clizcus the only difference between that Senator
and himself the deta Is or putting INTO
operut The provisions which each considered essential
competitive examinations. He rose, not 70 enter
discussion with the Senator upon MS cr clsns
upon his tPcnllrtOn bill, but 10 correct m erroneous
Interpretation of IT, His answer to the objection thdt
there was of getting rid OF the COhnis sOhers
af or apo umcu except BY impeachment was that the
II YES ed in the President the power Of removal As
10 Inc failure provide for the confirmation OF the Com
mis-io4crs by the senate, an amendment supplying
tlc ON s5ion could be offered when the bill came up.
Wi h respect to the ali CATION that the provision
empowering the appointment of c.Ssiiry assistants
by the Commissioners conferred upon then
extraordinary powers MT PendetOn said his bill covered
ONLY ,ucl appointments were ordinarily incident TO
tribunals 80 created 49, go,
The subject disposed Of by the reference Of the bill
o the Commi. Civil service.
Among additional bills introduced were the follow
ing: by Mr. VANCE Dem, y. c. for the relief OF OH
GERS The retired list OF the Army and Navy. II en-
powers the President t. detail such retired officers rs
may ap ~ to aim 70" empl ymrnt in the Indian and
Pension bureaus, Le>Avng Service other branches OF
civil service; such officers t. receive wh perform
ng hi, duty the fun pay and allowance 0t their rank
and no more by MIR. PLUMB tRep, kanJ To regulate |
pr mo ions tie Army aud to increase It's efficiency.
The senate 3:lO p III. went into executive session,
and $40 p. III. adjourned until lOmOlrOw'