The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-15
forty.seventh Congress Second Ses.
sion.
WASHINGTON, December IA, 1882.
SENATE.


SENATE.
AT the close OF the morning hour the
Senate resumed the consideration OF the
b,ii to promote the efficiency OF navy chap
iains by increasing their salaries. Reject
ed-yeas, %; nays, "a.
Inc military and agricultural appropria-
tion bllis were referred to appropriate CON-
mittees.
Mr.. Blair presented memorial adopted
by the Convention OF Clergymen held at
ocean Grove, n. j., last summer, in rela-
uon 10 Government aid to education. The
memorial is signed by Bishops Coke ard
simpson and large number OF representa-
tive clergymen.
The Senate took up the bill on the calen-
dar TO provide for the ascertainment OF
claims OF American citizens for French
spoliations. At O'Clock the bill gave way
to unfinished business-the Pendleton civ
il-service-reiorm bill.
Mr.. Hoar addressed the Senate in favor
| OF the bill. He congratulated the country
upon the fact that by fortunate concur
renee Of circumstances both parties were
substantially united in the efforts to reform
the civil service, carefully matured bill
for that purpose, introduced by a distin-
Il
tom, being reported favorably to the Sem
ate by distinguished leader on the other
side (Mr. Iiawley), and the President
Of the United States, not heretofore
very closely identified with this re-
form, promising in advance to give it his
countenance and support. The Senator
from Ohio (Nlr. Pendleton) had east severe
reproaches upon the Republican party in
! f;nn tt.if r,,t.;
proaches were not undeserved, and they
should be met not by recrimination, but by
stating the fact that the system which had
| produced so many evils had begun with
/ the Government. When President Jc1er-
son came into power the prescription Of
| his political friends had been so fierce du-
ring the preceding twelve years that, as he
declared, he did not find one OF them in
office.
| Mr.. Brown admitted that better system
OF administration than we have had for
many years past ought to be inaugurated,
but he did not believe that this bill would
remedy the evil. On the contrary, he be-
lieved il passed it would prove TO be a
sham, and would greatly disappoint popu-
lar expectation. lie had heard the British
civil service commended and held up as a
model for Us, but he did not so REGARD it.
In country where the Executive and
higher branch OF the legislature have a
hereditary right TO Office il was natural and
consistent TO have a civil service with life
tenure, but such a system would be wholly
inconsistent with the principles Of our
Government, and ii it were adopted would
tend TO build up a. distinct and powerful
class, supported out OF the taxes Of the
people; 4 sort OF prntorian guard, who
might come in time to control fhc destinies
OF the nation.
Mr.. Hawlcy said the right Of the EXccu-
tive to remove was lett untouched by tie
bill.
Mr.. Brown: Then what is the use Of tho
bill? Ii il does not touch the power OF
removal. il is the sheerest humbug. Ii tho
peOple demand ciyil-service reform, what
deception we practice upon them when
we offer them this measure, providing no
protection for incumbents against removal
without cause. Again, in its pretence Of
filling offices by competitive examinations
the bill was a cheat, because 1t provided
for Cling only offices Of the lowest grade
in this way. In the higher offices in Tho
departments there were, he believed,
LARGE number Of officials who were unilt
intellectually and morally. for their places
They were not 10 he disturbed; but when
ever one Of the lowest clerkships became va
cant, then competition might come in. L
would not do to open the higher grades o
office TO competitive examination, lest t0I
many Democrats should come in, and there
fore This bill provided that these higher va
cancies should be competed for only by per
sons now in office in the departments re
sncctiyely-that is. by Republicans. Now
said Mr.. Brown, | propose 10 do ilitl
: ploin talking to the Democrats. The Ite
/ nublcans have had the Offices Tor the las
, TWENTY-FIVE years consecutiyely. Later
, an avalanche has swept over the country
carving with il the strongest condemna
tlon of the practices OF that party. II !
! time that II was in the of year, but pruden
+ penublicans see that unless the Democrat
o are Guilty of some great fault on some III
norf9nf question there can be but llttl
doubt that the next President OF this repul
lie will be a Democrat. My fcllow-Dem(
/ crats how do you 60 into that can
=. noign2 Suppose you pat III nomihallo
he Gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Pendletoi
or tho gentleman from Delaware (Mr. la.
ord). or any Of the other distinguished Sei
, tlemen who have been named for place, an
J. co before the Democratic masses ana tc
z. fbem that YOU are handicapped, inasmuC
l. a. all the higher Offices are already dispose
ri "Disposed Of how?" the people WI
ost and Won will answer that the Republ
> con Marty has held the offices for twenl
7, two wears. and, seeing probability OF
D. cbange of administration, has hedged an
nasse1 upon United states ciyll-servl
., lii that the Democrats have helped
:" enact 90 that Democrats cannot be p
,ntn biober offices II we do succeed
70 narrvjnS the election. Ii there Is a vaca
O. ~, in any of the clerkships OF lower graz
IT tIe democrats can compete, but Tor any
Tho biober vacancies that may occur, u
II Pennblicans already in office are TO col
nete with each other, and there is no chan
Tor democrats. What effect do you tnil
,hot announcement will have on the spur
OF and energy with which the Democrats W
ny 'ro into the campaign? You must renel
OF 1or that in free republican governme
lie Tre this men fight for Office as wen as
n r,;ncinle and II you deal with the Den
d, arrats 81 the country in that way you IN!
IL ,ot eynect them to enter the campai
he ,,;th shirt or energy. But II is repi
lat ,hot tho democratic candidate VIII not
p iLc,v IA meet so strong an opposition irt
OF The Republicans in office ii we pass Z
We bill. / have no faith IN their argllmep
in Those Tho, men are mostly strong, Jealous
MS nnblicans, and they believe that Their pa
he hos n sort Of divine right TO control
as n iii Of this country. ! see no reas
why the Democrats should vote Tor TINS
'e- " This time; certainly not without
n amendment TO destroy the aristocracy
as, Renublican ofiice-holders that the bill ?
lit noies 10 establish. Why should any de-
nj pert vote for bill which, while proit
Ia INC TO till offices by competitive exami
ed ton. prevents competition by Democf
ich Tor any Of the offices except the 10"
I've on the listS Our Republican ire