Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-07
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
THE HOUSE At WORK.
REPORT OH THE CIVIL SERVICE Law.
The House..

Mr. O'Nein (Pa.) presented the petition OF J. A.
Mower Post, Grand Army of the Potomac, for the
ESTABLISHMENT OF national soldiers home at some
point in the Gulf states. Referred.
MI Curtin tPa.l, from the committee on foreign
AFFAIRS reported back q resolution calling ON the
Secretary OF state for information as to the man
ner or expenditure OF the money appropriated to de-
ray the expenses OF the French and American
on melton OF Mr.. Culberson (TeXas) q bill was
passed amending the act to determine the jursdic-
Ilon OF L. 3 circuit courts and to regulate the
moval OF causes from state to federal conrts
Inc oil Increases the minimum Jurisdiction OF
circuit courts from $500 to 1900; takes away from
tnoSe courts jurisdiction OF in favor of as
slgheeS OF proiSsory notes and bills OF exchange,
ana also OF suits OF civil nature arising between
corporation and the citizen OF any state In which
the corporation may have been carrying ON DuSi-
ness at the time the cause OF action accrued and
deSurlcts 10 the defendant the right to remove a
CAUSE from tne state TO the federal court.
THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
Mr.. Hoblltzell (Md.), from the committee on re-
form In the civil service, reported adversely bills
10 repeal the civil service act, and they were laid
on the table. The report accompanying the bills
says: The committee have diligently Investigated
the workings OF the commission appointed to exc
cute the law, and heartily recommend it
for the Intelligent and efficient administration
OF the important branch of executive power.
since the foundation OF our government the general
public mind, interested in an honest intelligent
ana economical administration OF public affairs,
has been deeply concerned with the development
OF tS mere political phases growing out OF the dis
trbution OF patronage in the selection OF proper
persons TO MI the official positions designated by
law 10 conduct its varied operations. Earn
est efforts have been made, from time
10 time, by our leading statesmen and
puplic1stS to confne within the bounds of patriot
ism and loyalty all party action in this direction
ana 10 reduce to minimum the corrupt exercise
OF OF TINS power by whatever party organization for
tne tlme being shall control the several executive
oranches or the government, and at the same time
10 secure the maximum of honest and faithful ser
vice In the discharge of the sacred duties imposed
a
exercise e;t or this power OF official designa-
of d'n tnGaz have placed the leaders Of all parties
OF a mere partisan system, fluctuating with
the success or defeat OF party, growing out OF
Grave complaints have been Justly made against
nearly every administration of the government by
reason or these practices of the several political
parties in the distribution OF official patronage,
until they have grown to be designated as the
SpOlS system, and the Offices trust and respons-
Dlllty adjudged to be the ripened fruits OF party
success, rendering these appointments TO Office the
subject OF factional contest, introducing the prn-
clples OF intrigue and corruption to govern and
control their selection. instead of the efficiency
honesty ana good behavior OF the public OFF,
Since the organization of the civil service COM
mission great good has been accomplished In many
directions, and better feeling pervades the domi-
nant public sentiment the subject of reform in
the civil service Inspiring the nope that at no dis
tant day, the benefits or similar laws NAV extend
throughout the several states, and by harmony
ana hOlnoSeneousnesS. OF sentiment and action
ness OF political contests and the scandal or our
free institutions, shall be forever eliminated and
deStroyed-State and national. Your committee. en-
urely satisfied with the thorough conscientious and
non-partiSan WOrk OF the civil service commission
are Justified in the belief that its continuance viii
aid, 10 large degree, In eradicating the prevalent
evils OF the civil service of the government remove
just complaint, and restore public confidence In the
WORK performed by the subordinate officials, and
can see no wisdom in the proposed repeal of the
law Your committee unanimously recommend an
adverse report.
Afr
affairs, reported bill authorizing the retirement OF
Alfred rleasanton, with the rank OF colonel House
On motion OF Mr.. Singleton MISSY, a bill was
passed authorizing the National Academy OF Science
TO receive and hold trust funds the promotion Of
science.
LAND GRANT FORFEITURE.
The House then proceeded to the consideration
OF the bill FORGETTING the unearned Atlantic and Pa
citc grants.
After brief explanation by Mr.. Cobb Ind) the
Dill was passed.
THE GENERAL DEFICIENCY BILL.
Mr.. Randall (Pa.), from the committee on appro-
pratons, reported the general deficiency bill, and
IL was referred to the committee Of the whole
THE HOMESTEAD LAWS.
MI Cobb then called up the bill repeating the
pre-emption and timber culture and amending the
homestead laws.
Mr.. Holman Gnd) offered an amendment, which
was adopted repeating the act providing for the
sale OF desert lands In certain States and terri
tories
Capitol Topics.
The Senate was not in session to-day
Mr. MERRICK TO BE EXAMINED.
MI Merrlck, who represented the government in
the star route prosecution, has been subpenaed to
appear before the Springer committee next Tues
day.
CoNGRATULATING SENATOR LOGAN
senator Logan went TO the Capitol al II o'clock
10 attend meeting OF the appropriations commit
Tee ON the consular and diplomatic bill. He was
warmly congratulated by all the me mberS OF the
committee OF both parties.