Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-20
SP0ILS FOR THE VICTORS.
A MOVE TO LOOSEN CIVIL SER
VICE THUDIB-SCREWS.

The House Committee Puts an ImpOr-
tant Rider on the Legislative, Execu-
tive. and Judicial Appropriation Bill
A disappointed Aspirant Brings
Charges Against appointment Clerk
Higgins.
WASHINGTON, May 19.-The majority
NJ the House Committee on Appropria-
tons have inserted in the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill,
which will be reported to the House to-
morrow Immediately alter the regular
annual appropriation for the expenses of
the Civil Service Commission, a prOvis0
making the expenditure OF the appropri-
alton conditional upon two important
changes in the rules of the Civil Service
Commission. One of the changes thus
proposed is to remove the maximum limit
OF age which excludes persons over 40
Years old from the examinations for adj
mission to the classified customs service
or the classified departmental service,
and persons over 30 years old from
the examinations for admission to the
classified postal service-hOnorably dis
charged soldiers and sailors being eX-
cepted. This rule, il is claimed, works
peculiar hardship IN the South. The
other change proposed requires the Civil
Service Commission to certify the whole
list of elgibles to the official asking for
clerk, instead of the four highest on the
list as now provided for by the commits
sion's rules. IL is believed that this pro-
vso would be deemed obnoxious to
point of order in the House as new legis-
iation, which is forbidden by the new
rules, but If the House ever gets chance
to vote upon it, it will probably be adopt
ed. The present Civil Service Commits
sioners, like their predecessors, will OPP
pose the proposed changes.
WHAT Is APPROPRIATED.
The bill as agreed upon by the COM
mittee, and as it Will be reported to the
House bv Mr.. Holman tomorrow, appro-
PIRATES 0,55S, 119, being 1913. 4S5 less than
the Appropriation for the current fiscal
year and $S48,5 66 less than the estimates.
The appropriation for the Civil
Service Commission remains I'M
changed, that is $21, 400. There
was no contest in the committee
over the last clause or the clause follow
ing later in regard to pension examiners,
but it is understood that the Republican
members of the committee will oppose
them on the floor of the House. The pro-
vision OF last years bill making an APP
preparation for 100 special examiners In
the Pension Office is re-enacted with an
amendment providing that they shall be
appointed by the Secretary of the In
terror, on recommendation of the
Commissioner of Pensions. Under the
existing law they are subject to civil SER
vice rules.
The committee disclaim any intention
of interfering with the civil service law
in making the changes above noted, while
admitting that they would, it adopted,
require changes in the rules laid down by
the Commissioner. 1t makes no provision
for the pay of clerks to Senators and
makes total reduction OF 225 in the force
Of employees in the government service at
the present time. The appropriation for
the collection of Internal revenue is de-
creased 100000. There are a number of
other changes Of minor character in the
bill, including reductions in the salaries
Of 4 number Of sub-Freasurers, and in
those of United States Judges in Louisiana
and California.
MR.. GOODIES NOMINATION.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary
will report the nomination OF Solicitor
General GOOde to the Senate without
recommendation. A motion to report it
favorably was lost in committee by a tie
vote, although Mr.. Evarts voted with the
Democrats in the affirmative. The
friends of Mr.. Goode say that the charges
against him we're completely disproved
before the Judiciary Committee, that Mr..
Evarts voted for him in committee for that
reason, and that not only Mr.. Evarts but
enough other Republicans to give him a
majority will vote for his confirmation in
the Senate for the same reason.
THE PENSION GRAB.
The Blair pension crab got through the
Senate to-day. 1t was amended to-day so
as TO fix the minimum of rates at 81
month aud of services at three months.
No one can tell how much money it would
take out OF the Treasury if it should ever
become a law, Senator Blair bin sci f
does not pretend To say. He talks airily
about the probable cost Of somewhere
between S25, 100000 and $1,000 900 year.
AS Senator Ingalls, saws IL would be
easier 70 estimate the number OF children
that Will be born next year. But the bill
Will not become a law. Even if oy COM
binatiOn of circumstances IL should pass
the House, the President Will veto it.
CHARGES AGAINST HIGG ms.
William Armstrong, a disappointed ap-
picant for the position of Photographer
Of the Treasury Department, to day filed
Charges with Assistant Secretary Smith
against Appointment Clerk Higgins to
The effect that he could have purchased
The office from Mr. Higgins for $1,000.
Mr.. Higgins puts in a general denial, and
also says that he THINKS some one has bee n
playing joke on Armstrong.
FEARS FOR THE NIPsIC.
Fears are entertained for the safety OF
the United States steamship Nipsic,
which left Montevideo March !, last and
has not been head from since.