The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-07-03
THE CIYIL SERVICE.
Enn pRRAFE N THE sENAEn
Yesterday over the appointment of nm
Additional Clerk to the Commission.
The Views of Prominent Democrats
and Republicans for Publication.

; The views OF Fromlneht Democrats
and Republicans for Publication.
WASHINGTON, D, o., July Ain thu
Senate to-day an amendment to the Legis
lative Appropriation bill for an additionR
clerk for the Civil Service Commission
was opposed by Mr.. Vance, who remarked
that II the Commission was unable to dc
any more business it would be 80 much
the better,
Mr., Salisbury looked upon the Civil
Service Commission from beginning to end
as a useless piece Of machinery, II he
had his way he would repeal the law.
Mr., Voorhees, said that he had never
been for the law, sleeping or waking, but
while 1t was law he would treat 1t fairly
and give It a fair chance. II there was
any good in 1t he hoped good would come
out Of 1t, The fact would be made mani
fest in due time and the people would pass
upon 1t,
'Mr. Ingalls, did not wonder at Mr.. Voor-
hees being in favor Of the Civil Service
law as administered by the Democratic
party, and he quoted from o statement OF
the Commissioner Of Pensions that out OF
n men appointed by him under the Civil
Service rule 72 were Democrats and the
the other five were OF unknown politics,
He had no doubt that II the clerical force
OF the Commission had been sufficient the
politics Of the other five would have been
found out and the men would have been
Democrats.
Mr.. Voorhees, defended the Commits.
aioner Of Pensions and commended the
practice Of the two great parties In putting
their own adherents into Office. Still he
would no more cut down the force OF the
Civil Service commission or deny 1t the
means ofgiving the system fair trial than
he WOuld vote 10 cut otf the supplies from
an army in the field, even il he did not
approve the policy Of the war. The COM
mission was discharging Its duty and no
was for upholding 1t in q liberal and pro.
per spirit.
MI. Harrison said that II the Civil Ser.
vice Commission needed any additional
clerical help he was willing to give 1t.
MUST TOTE PAIR.
II 1t should be found, however, that the
Office was in some way administered so as
to give it a partisan turn, 80 that while
things were put promiscuously and fairly
into the mill nothing but Democratic re.
suit came out, 1t would be time enough
then TO arraign the Commission and hold
It to o just responsibility.
Mr. HaWIaV nafH thuk kho {nkapo6ku ~
the country demanded o resoute and per-
sistent attempt to reach improvements In
the public service, Alter three years
trial he believed that the law was stronger
now in the public respect than 1t was
when 1t was passed. II was 10 be expect.
ed that such 0 law would be imperieCtly
executed. The whole movement was ex.
perimental.
Mr.. Vance asked Mr.. Hawley whether
the law had materially improved the class
and character OF the Government EN-.
ployes.
Mr.. Hawley believed that the law had
been benefit to the public service.
Mr.. Teller declared that while he was at
the head Of the Interior Department the
appointments made under the Civil Ser
vice law were made utterly irrespective OF
politics. OF the l5O Special Examiners
appointed by him there was not one whose
politics was discussed or known by him or
the heads Of bureaus.
Mr.. Voorhees, disClaimed any idea ofim-
pugning the uniform impartiality OF the
Senator while he was Secretary Of the In.
terror.
ITS VITALITY TAKEN OUT.
Mr., Dawes thought the vitality Of the
Civil Service law was taken out Of 1t when
Congress refused to enact, that the sO-
lection should be made from the three
highest on the list certified by the Com
mission. But the law was on the statute
book and under 1t there was q great ad.
vance in the condition Of things. 1t de-
served the ardent and sincere support OF
every one who believed In the possibility
Of improving the Civil Service and amend.
ments would ultimately come To make 1t
more stringent and perfect,
Mr.. Gall said he did not propose to ar
raign the law as being In the direction OF
the aristoCracy and privileged classes, or as
being clear denial Of the responsibilities
OF the President and hi0 heads OF depart
ments to the people. He should take oc.
casion before the close OF the session to
present his opinion on that subject; all
he wanted TO state now was that no person
in Florida, whether Democrat or Republi.
can, had been able to obtain office under
the Civil Service law.
The discussion ceased and the amend
ment was adopted, 80 to II.