Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-28


The civil service BILL as It passed the Senate last
evening, embO1ies the judgment OF that body as
TO the enactments necessary 10 rid the public
Vice OF the evils that have crept into It, and to
protect IT In future from the greed OF the poti-
clans. The original bill has been amended and
improved In several important point. The way
70 promotion to the higher as well as the lower
grades Of service has been opened to applicants
who demonstrate their fitness by competitive ex-
animation. The bill cont .fns a section winch may
puzzle the commission somewhat II 1T shall ever
be called upon to determine the point. provides
that no person who uses Intoxicating liquors in ex
cess shall be appoiLted TO public Office OF course,
10 viii rest upon the commission to conStrue the
term Gin excess, and there is such variety of
opinion among men on this point that 1t may nos
be easy task. The bill Is irOn-ciad In its pro-
visions prohibiting the levying Of assessments for
political purposes. IL forbidS members OF Con-
gress, well officers and employees of Con-
gress, and executive, judicial, military and naval
officers and employees OF the government from d.
rectlv or indirectly soliciting receiving, or being
In any manner concerned in soliciting or receiv-
Ing anyHasseSsment or contribution for political
purposes. Under this bill, should it be come
law, political campaign committees must BE-
composed entirely OF civilians. The overwhelming
vote (9 10 - for the bill shows that it Is regarded
as hong stride In the right direction at least The
only negative votes were cast by democrats, whose
chief objection to the Is that it will enable
republicans already in Office to retain their posi-
tons under democratic admin stration. LegiSla-
ton upon this subject is bound TO BE- to some extent
experimental Ii Is a subject that has not engaged
the attention OF COnSre in the past and while
there are senators on both sid IS OF the chamber
who voted for the BILL believing 1t contained some
defects they gave 1t their support for the purpose
OF now securing a foundation, and leaving I'm
pTOyeiaents 10 be made as they may appear neceS-
he t. I'm hot
up In the House at an early day, and there It will
meet an antagonism much stronger than it had to
Encounter In the Senite II must go to the Speak
er's table, and motion u Ike it up for constdera-
ton VIII be opposed by two elements. One element
comprises those republicans who favor the Kasson
bill rather than the Senate bin: the other consist
ofthose democrats who Go not favor my legislation
ot;this character at present This division the Re
publcanS in the House upon the two bills Will give
those democrats who wish defeat this iegisl ton
an advantage they did not enjoy in III Senate.
s >
The outlook for the eytSlation at this session OF
congress providing for and regulating the presi-
DENTAL succession Is anything but encouraging.
While It's Importance seems to be appreciated In
Congress tne pressure OF other business may pre-
vent consideration OF this subject. 1t is Dues
ton that WOull, no doubt. cause considerable
debate and the life OF the session is too short for
that Failure to enact legislation OF this charac-
Shall be convened in special session on the 4th Of
next March to elect president pro te'apOTe. The
imperative Importance of illing the Office Is patent
TO everybody. Under existing law, should Presi-
dent Arthur die, the president of the Senate would
be his successor, and after the latter the execu-
tive Office would fall to the Speaker of the House.
But In the regular course OF Congressional sessions
both the offices of president of the Senate and
Speaker OF the House would be vacant from the
4th OF March next until the first Monday In the
ensuing December. 1t has been suggested that
special session of the Senate couli be avoided By
the assent OF the democrats to elect a repub-
hean president pro tempore at the present
SESSION, but it Is scarcely probable
that this suggestion will be carried out Quite
likely the democrats would assent to 1t, as they
would nave nothing TO lose and something to gain
Dy such an arrangement. The democrats now
hold the Senate offices, OF which special session
would deprive Them as the republicans would no
doubt take advantage OF a special session to re-
organic the Senate. The desire OF party to get
possession OF Offices at the earliest day possible
would no doubt have some influence in the direc-
ton OF making special session preferable to the
IepuDllcanS; but there IS stronger and more tena-
able ground upon which the republicans can reject
any oyertureS, should such be made, from demo-
Gratis for the election of a president pro tenn at
this session 1t is generally understood that Sem
ator Anthony Is the choice OF the republicans for
the vIce-preSifential chair. His present term OF
service Will expire on the 4th OF next March but
ne mas been reelected Tor succeeding term. Still
he could not, II elected president OF the Senate
now, hold that Office longer than his present term
without reelection; so that, In order to make
hiEl, the man OF their choice, vice-president, the
republicans must have special session.
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The citizens committee having carried the in
festlsation or charges against the detectives far
enough TO establish las gross case of criminal
m Hf,cr in, Dffi
pe conceived OF their jurisdiction in this partic-
alar case Is exhausted, and they have RENTED
the furthar prosecution of the work TO the Conn
mission II. By direction OF the board Commits
soner West has been AUTHORIZED to make inyesti-
CATION OF the charges submitted, and that he Will
rightly perform the duty assigned him there can
De no doubt If the charges OF COLLISION with
Thieves can be satisfactorily established the
guilty detectives should not be permitted to es-
cape with the light punishment only OF dismissal
from the force. In connection with other evil
oences OF guilt, the fact so much commented upon
anu Miherto mentioned III THE STAR, that the
eitizens inquiry Suddenly put stop to the opera-
IONS OF the thieves here is a circumstance OF no
light weight 1t is very singular to say the least.
tnat Just at time when, for prudential reasons
the detectives would naturally wish a cessation of
ihieVerJ. In order TO thus quiet as much as posi-,
Die the agitation. the burglars robbers, ana
confidence men took rest from their arduous AMI
successful Iabors.
The committees OF Congress which have the
duty OF preparing tariff legislation In hand are
discovering that after all the reference OF the
tarin question to commission did not afford
congress much relief The difficulty Is not In the
report OF The commission, but in the unwillingness
nf ffRa no.