The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-24
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Speech Of Senator Jonas, Of Louisiana,
Showing How the Civil Service Bill
Is a Sham.

Congressional Record.
Mr.. Jonas-Mr. President, l have con-
sumed no time in this debate, but have
waited patiently in hopes to see the bill
60 perfected by amendments that might
| he able to vote for it. 1t has not as
sumed such form; and desire briefly
To give the reasons which compel me to
vote against it. have desired to give it
NV support because l know that senti-
ment prevails throughout thecountry de-
demanding reform in our civil services
and if it had depended on my friend,
the distinguished Senator from Ohio
(Mr. Pendleton,) who has charge OF this
bill, / think it might have been so per
fected as to enable me, and perhaps other
gentlemen on this side of the chamber
who in part agree with me, to vote for
it. He has consistently voted for all
amendments which proposed to liberalize
the bill and make it effective for good,
and not, as l am compelled to believe it
will prove to be, mere pretense and
sham.
The Senator from Ohio voted for the
amend ment offered by the Senator from
Alabama (Mr Pugh). If that amend
ment had prevailed | should have voted
for the bill but it was defeated by the
unanimous vote of the Senator's on the
other side of the chamber.
Those Senator's seem to have taken
possession of this measure in their new
born zeal for reform. They seem to have
: taken it out of the hands of the Senator
from Ohio and its original friends; and
they have voted down every amendment
which has been proposed by or which
has commanded the assent of this side
of the chamber.
Mr.. President, the amendment of the
/ Senator from Alabama proposed to trans
/ fer this experiment to the people who
} are now in Office, instead of reserving it
} for trial in the future upon those who
may be applicants for appointment to
vacancies which may occur in official
positions. If there is anything in the
popular demand for reform, if there is
} anything in the demand which has so
, awakened the apprehensions of Senators
on the other side of the chamber, and
! the party to which they belong, it is a
! demand that the civil service of this
. country shall be changed, shall be re-
) formed, shall be corrected If there is
D nothing wrong in the present civil SER
! vice of the country we require no legis-
| lation; if there is nothing that can be
! effected by legislation, then we can wait
for the reform which will be brought
e about by change of policy and a
8 change of parties in the administration
+ Of the country.
: But we have been led to believe
that the people were rising in indigna-
: ton against this army of officers who
e now fill the places of the country, alleg-
r ing that they have been organized into a
e band, a political machine for the purpose
: of controlling and influencing not only
elections but nominations. They have
y been filled with disgust at the manner in
: which this political machine has been
assessed, and the money raised there
from in a measure to control and carry
u elections and secure nominations. If the
!, people have spoken at all, it is against
the present civil service, against the gov
eminent; and yet when proposition is
= I made to change this civil service or to
i subject its officers to the same examina
. ton which is proposed for future ap
+ pointments to civil Office in the depart
Il ments, it is voted down unanimously by
the Republican party.
! | deal with this bill in good faith, Mr.
Y President; am not voting against it as
: a politician or party man. | believe
that the civil service of this country is
to large extent incompetent, if not cor
\ rupt, and | will favor any measure which
= proposes an examination into the com.
: potency and character of the persons
who fill the positions under it. But
:. this is to be denied to us. All Of the
y people who are in Office are to remain
. They are to constitute privileged class
Z II they are not to be submitted to the
- same competition or the same examina
ton which is proposed for candidates fol-
appointment. Well, sir, | do not be
lieye that the people wish this sort o.
civil service reform.
Mr.. George-Will the Senator from
Louisiana allow me to ask him ques
tion2
Mr.. JOnas-Certainly.
Mr.. George-Suppose this bill is de
" feated, will the present ineumbents O
y these offices be subject to any examina
Il ton?
T. Mr.. Jonas-They will not, nor vii
/: they If this bill is passed. said that
o. want to act in good faith. / know it ha
been said on this side Of the chambe
co that there is nothing in this bill whicI
N prevents the removal Of every one i
office should the Democratic party com,
at into power, deny it, Mr.. President. /
II supported this bill in good faith.
&c would consider that / was constitutin,
le a class of ofice-holders who could not b
affected by political changes, | woul,
ID consider, and do to-day, that by M
t. passage of this bill we are creating N
/ people who now hold the Offices Of TIL
* country into permanent organization
of officers into whose sacred precinct
new blood may intrude only when va
er cancies occur and new candidates ar
&c presented for examination.
Mr., Jones, Of Florida-Is il With
ii the competency Of Congress to take ava
from the Executive the power of remoys
n and appointment?
! Mr. Jnnas-T NV, rc4 41l. ~