The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-06-20
WASHINGTON.
ADVERSE REPORT ON BILLS TO REPEAL
THE CIVIL SERVICE ACT.


THE CIVIL SERVICE ACT.
. The adverse report made by the commit
tee OH civil service reform upon the bills to
repeal the civil-service act says the commit
tee has diligently investigated the workings
of the commission appointed to execute the
law, and heartily recommend it for its in
telligent and efficient administration of an
important branch of the executive. The re-
port then sets forth and reviews what is
known as the "SpoilS" system of appoint
ments, and continues as follows: 'Since
the organization of the civil-service COM
mission great good has been accomplished
in many directions, and better feeling per-
vades the dominant public sentiment on the
subject Of reform in the civil service, in
spring the hope that at no distant day the
benefits of similar laws may extend through
out the several states, and by harmony and
homogeneOusness of sentiment and action
much of that which now contributes to the
bitterness Of political contests and the scan.
dial of our free institutions shall be forever
eliminated and destroyed, State and Nation
al. Your committee are entirely satisfied
with the thorough conSclentiousneSs and
non-partisan work of the civil-service COM
mission, and are justified in the belief that
its continuance will aid to large degree in
Graduating the prevalent evils of the civil
service of the government, remove just COM
plant, and restore public confidence in the
work performed by these subordinate
officials and we can see no wisdom in the
proposed repeal of the law. Your commit
tee unanimously recommend an adverse re-
port
GOTHAM BANKERS SCARED.
Congressman Broadhead, of Missouri,
thinks that the rottenness recently devel-
oped in the New York banks makes it the
Gaty of congress to send a special commit
tee to New York to make thorough investi-
CATION of the condition of all of the banks
there with the aid OF expert bank. eXamin-
ers, and to ascertain whether they have vio-
lated the national banking act in any re-
spect. Col. Broadhead's resolution directed
to this end was introduced in the house,
and would probably have passed immedi-
ately but for the intervention of Mr.. Hew-
lit, of New York, single objection being
sufficient to prevent immediate action upon
1t. The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on banking and currency, where Mr..
Hewitt hopes it will be pigeOn-holed. He
is very much Disguised with this attempt to
ventiiate the banks. He says the very pres
ence of a congressional committee in New
York for the purpose contemplated by Col.
BrOadhead's resolution would create great
excitement and cause a run on all the banks,
however sound their condition might be.
The mere introduction of the resolution
caused q scare in New York and kilograms
from bankers and brokers were. received
here inquiring whether 1t was likely 70
pass. Assurances were sent that 1t would
at least rest for some time in the committee
room. Mr.. Hewitt was curious to know
why Mr.. Broadhead thought an Immediate
examination of the New York banks ought
to be made by congressional committee,
and privately asked his reason. Mr. Brood
head said he proposed the investigation in
response to appeals from New 1csk bnsl.
ness men, and exhibited the letters WHICH
he had received. Upon examination OF
them Mr.. Hewitt was convinced that Mr..
Broadhead had been imposed upon. None
of the writer's were persons of Importance
in business circles, and enc of the letters
purported to be signed by a person who Mr.
Hewitt says has been dead four years. Mr..
Broadhead was astonished at this infOrmar
ton, and will probably let the resolution
drop. New York representatives say tho
Missouri congressman has been unconscious
ly used by the bears to bear stocks, and the
resolution did in fact make stocks go down
point or two before assurances from Wash
ington revived the feeling on Change.
IIENNEPIN CANAL.
The principal point Of attack upon the
river and harbor appropriation bill Is the
item of 100000 for the Hennepin canal
project Mr.. Jones, of Wisconsin, objected
10 entering upon work of such magnitude