New-York tribune., 1886-05-02
PLAIN TALK IN THE HOUSE.
BERATING THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.

MR.. TAULBEE, or KENTUCKY, LOSES HIS TEMPER
AND HIS DIGNITY.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-Mr. Findlay, OF Mary
land. FROM tho Committee Civil Service Reform sub
mitted report the resolution offered by Mr. Taubse,
OF Kentucky. directing the Secretary OF the Treasury
TO inform the House by what authority the
practice Of permitting employees in his
department to appoint substitutes Ia allowed
Mr. Taubee moved that the resolution be adopted The
practice abuse Of public power and an abuse OF
the Civil Service law Thataw was piece ofhypocrisy
1t had been conceived In sin and brought forth IN in
iquty It had been conceived IN the mind OF MT Eaton
who had aferward made money out OF it than any
other man. catspaw had been made out OF Senator
PendleoD. for whom previous to his connection with
this law he Mr Taubee) had had the greatest afmira
tion but who. through his connection with that oh
noXous law had been reegated to that obscnrty which
no man would envy him. But while 1t was "A bad law.
the Government was committed to IT, and while It could
not be repealed 1t should he respected aud lived up TO-
MI Mi,lard. OF New York-Docs the gentleman hold
that President and the Secretary of the Treasury
have not enforced the law
Mr. Taulbce-I believe that the President and Sec
retary earnestly trying to ENFORCE it, but that the
lieutenants under thomthe chiefs OF bureaus, whose
misconduct is nagrant and plain to tho eyes of all
have handicapped. msled and imposed upon them as
to make II absolutely impossible for them to give
faithful execution to the law.
Mr.. Cannon, OF Illinois Is there anything I'm the civil
Service law that prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury
the President from removing the chief clerks, ap-
pontment clerks aud every head Of bureau in that
department.
Mr.. Iaulbee-I will that there s not; but that
when the Democrats possession OF tue Executive
Branch of the Government the President announced hts
policy that while the Civil Service law should he car
ried its letter it's spirit should apply 10 all Offices
The President may have differed with sOme Of the most
Jealous leaders OF the Democratic party on that point
lsyItl, fau nfinna ha "a
carried 1t carried it out fully that any OF his
Republican predecessors carried It out when their pred
ecsssoIs belonged t? the same poSa faIta;
Mr.. Taubee-I haven't tine 10 answer any more fool
questions.
Mr. Csnnon-You arc satisfied that these abuses arise
from the heads OF bureaus II this be true Is the Pres
dent incompetent or knavish In refusing to remove
themi
Mr. Taulbee-Nether. The President has been occu
pied for the last three or four months In trying TO hod
character wrongfuy because he exercises the dscre-
ton the Constitution confers upon him.
Mr. Cannon repeated his question and again inquired
why the President did remove the heads OF bureaus
and perform bis duty under his oath or Office.
Mr Iauibee-ln GOOD falth and III all seriousness III
the gentleman desires to be understood as being in
Mr.. Cannon tinterruptngl-I am in earnest,
Mr.. Taubee-Well you stand isolated from yonr
party for the howl Of the RepnOica ms and the contro
very between the President and the Senate based on
the claim OF the Republican party that he has indis-
| crminately removed men from office
AR. Cannon-As understand the controversy the gem
tleman refers TO- 1t controversy between tue senate
do thing please portion OF his party
aud then around and do another to please gentle
men like my friend from Kentucky.
Mr.. Taulbee-Are you III good health
Mr.. Cannon-I thiuk something must be the matter
with you. leave 1t to the country to say whether
the gentleman IL sick or am
Mr.. TaulbeeI do not wish to be UNDERSTOOD as max
ing assault upon the President or the Secretary OF
the Treasury. because they have enough to
contend with In the controversy with the SEN
ate, hut the abuses ought to be corrected.
do propose to shut eyes to violations or law
The Democratic party with its doctrines and platforms
and practices stands far above the Republican party
the above the deep cayerns OF the ocean, but
my party does and abuses grow up In Democratic
Administrations will call attention to them. wish to
express my admiration for the Republican party on ac
count of the tenacty with which 1t hangs together tho
certainty with which 1t provides for its adherens and
prOmptness with which IL turns De ocrats out OF once
when 1t has the power. .
Mr. Fndlay advocated the rejection OF the resolution
in favor OF disseminate substitution,
but because could conceive OF Instances when re-
fsa permit permanent empoye In time or sickness
TO employ a substitute would work great hardship.
Speaking generally the Civil Service law he favored
its enforcement both III letter and spirit lie woud Ike
to see every rogue turned out Of Office and he wohd
like the Administration put ts strong heel on the
necks of instead Of elevating them to hlgh
places. lie moved to lay the resolution on the taDie
The vote this motion so Gloss that some excite
and manifested as the clerk proceeded
call the roll conclusion or the call several
made thus reversing the result number
of times As finally announced. the vote stood-ycas,
ia nays 113 so the resolution was tabled