The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1883-01-11
AAALY EXAMINER
ABERDEEN
Thursday, January II, 1883.


The following remarks concluded the
debate last week in the Senate, on the so
called ''bill to regulate and improve the
civil service of the United States,'
Mr. JONAS. Mr.. President, l have
nsumed no time in this debate, but
h,v, waited patiently in hopes to see
the bill SO perfected by amendments
that | might be able to vote for 1t. 1t
has not assumed such form;and l desire
briefly to give the reasons which impel
me to vote against it. l have desired to
give it nv support because | know that
a sentiment prevails throughout the
c,httl,ry demanding Il reform III our civil
service; and il it had depended on my
friend the distinguished Senator from
Ohio TMr. PLNDLRToNl who has charge
of this bill, l think it might have been so
perfected 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 hill and make it effective
for good, and not, as l am compelled to
believe it will prove to be, mere PIE
tense and sham.
The Senator from Ohio voted for the
amendment offered by the Senator from
Alabama Mr.. PUGHl. Ii that amend
ment had prevailed l should have voted
for the bill: but it was defeated by the
unanimous vote of the Senators on the
other side of the Chamber
Those Senators 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 commended the assent OF this side OF
the Chamber.
Mr., President, the amendment of the
Senator from Alabama proposed to
transfer this experiment to the people
who nre now in office, instead OF reserv>
ing it for trial in the future upon those
who may he applicants for appointment
to vacancies which may occur III Official
positions. Ii 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
demand that the civil service OF this
country shall be changed, shall be re-
formed, shall be corrected. Ii there is
nothing wrong i'll the present civil SER
vice of the country we require no legls-
ton: if there is nothing that can be
effected by legislation, then we can wait
for the reform which will be brought |
abont by change of policy and a change |
of parties in the administration OF the
country.
But we have been led to believe that
the people were rising in indignation
against this army of officers who now fill
tue places of the country, alleging that
they have been organized into band,
political machine for the purpose of
con rolling and influencing not only cleo
lions but nominations. They have been
filed with disgust at the manner in
which this political machine has been
assessed and the money raised therefrom
in large measure WIS to con rol and
carry elections and secure nominations.
If the people have spoken at all, it is
against the present civil service of the
and yet when a proposition
ia made to change tins civil service or to
subject its officers TO the same eXamina-
.ion which is proposed for future APP,
to civil Office in the Depart
'nents, it is voted down unanimously by
The Republican party.
deal with this bill in good faith, Mr..
President; am not voting against it as
> politician or 4 party man. L believe
that the civil service of this country Is
10 a lurge extent incompetent, if not
,orrupt, and will favor any measure
which proposes an examination into the
and character of the persons
Who fill the positions under it. But this
S to be denied to us. All of the people
who are in office are to remain. They
ire to constitute privileged class if they
ire not to be submitted to the same
or the same examination
which is proposed for candidates for
Well, sir, I do not believe
hat the people wish this sort of civil
service reform.
Mr., GEORGE Will the Senator from
Louisiana allow me to ask him ques-
ion?
Mr.. JONAS. Certainly.
Mr.. GEORGE. Suppose this bill is
lefeated, will the present incumbents of
5hese Offices be subject to any examina-
ion?
MIR. JONAS. They will not, nor will
hey if this bill is passed. l said that
wanted to act in good faith. I know
Il has been said on this side of the Cham
ser that there is nothing i'll this bill
which prevents the removal of every one
IN office should the Democratic party
come into power. deny it, Mr. Presi-
lent. If / supported this bill in good
faith, | would consider that | was con
a class of office-holders who
could dot be effected by political changes,
would consider, and do to-day, that
,y the passage of this bill we are Great
ing the people who now hold the offices
Of this country into a permanent organ
zation of officers into whose sacred pre-
cncts new blood may intrude only when
occur and new candidates are
presented for examination.
MIR. JONES, of Florida. Is it within
The competency OF Congress to take away
from the Executive the power of removal
and appointment
MFR. JONAS. | am not talking of the
Executive power over removals or APP
this bill has been carefully
guarded in that respect; this bill does
not touch the Executive prerogatory.
It only concerns the clerks and employees
in the Departments of the Government,
and in custom houses and post offices of
The country where over fifty persons are
employed. Having, as have, i'll the
city in which l reside, custom house
which constitutes n great house of refuge
into which all the political outcasts of
past political campaigns have been
and rewarded for their various
3utrages upon the people, | am unwilling
70 perpetuate it to such uses; l am un-
VIKING to say that its inmates shall not
be Subjected to an examination as to
and integrity when we propose
20 pass bill to examine all candidates
who are tobe admitted to their fraternity.
am unwilling to perpetnate this Office
holding class, and l say it in good filth,
md say to the Senators on the other
vide who believe as do, and not as my
friends around me, that if this bill passes
n my opinion it will do away with the
,owers al semoval, on the part of chiefs
If Departments and heads of bureaus, of
heir subordinates and clerks should
new administration or a new party
,ome in.