Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-06-18
OUR WASHINGTON CORES
PONDENCE,

EON DEN C.E.
THE GREAT CIVIL SERVICE DEBATE-STALwART
DEMOCRACY COMES TO THE FRONT AND ASSERTS
ITsELF--THE PRESIDENT AND HIS BRIDE GIVE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF ADJOURNMENT.
Especial Correspondence of the STAUNToN VIM
DICATORl
WASHINGTON, June 16-The most lively and
interesting debate of the session has occupied
the house during three days. The theme was the
ever fruitful one of civil service reform. It
came up on certain amendments to the legis-
latlve and executive appropriation bill by
which it was sought to SO amend the regula-
tons governing the civil service as to facili-
tate the now slow and tedious process of
turning the rascals out" A clause was in
corporated in the bill by Mr.. Holman, of In
diana, providing that the appropriation for
the civil service commission should not be
available until the rules were so changed that
when vacancy occurs, instead of four names
being certified from which person may be
selected for appointment, as is the present
rule, the entire list of eligibles from the State
entitled to the appointment shall be sent to
the appointing officer This was done for the
avowed purpose of giving full opportunity for
the selection of Democrats. At present, if
the four names certified, happen to be those
of Republicans, there is no alternative, one
of them must be appointed. Another clause
sought to abrogate the rule excluding from
appointment under civil service rules a II per-
sons'over IS years of age.
Mr.. Morrison of Illinois, made the point of
order that ..all these propositions shou Id be
ruled out as new legislation and are not p ermis-
sible as riders on an appropriation bill. 1t
was on this that the debate was had To say
that it was ''red-hot' but feebly express es the
nature of the contest. During Thursday, Fri
day, and Saturday nothing else was th ought
of, and the House was wrought up to a pitch
of excitement not often reached Frequently
half dozen members were trying at the same
time to make themselves heard, shouting at
the top of their voices, while $50 others were
applauding and f'nagging," and riIouting
in various ways to the confusion which at
times reigned supreme. There were we're
MANY PEPPERY PERSONAL DIALOGUES,
the most pungent being between Mr.. Findlay
land. Mr.. Findley is strong-- advocate of
civil service reform, and upholds the law
and the President at all times and places and
against all corners. He is small in STATURE but
well stocked with ''sand." Mr.. Compton is a
large man, with a large gray shock upon his
l..
stand on end when he gets excited, giving
him most formidable appearance. He be-
ieves that the Spells, with big S belong to
the Victors, with V foot long. He would
throw the present civil service system to the
dogs if he could. He does not hide his light
under bushel, but proclaims his opinions
from the housetops and upon the corners of
the streets The friction between these gen
tlemen was occasioned by the matter of APP
pointments in Maryland, and particularly in
the Baltimore postofice, where Mr.. Veazey
has managed to make clean sweep. During
the colloquy Mr.. Findley and Mr.. Compton
stood near each other In the aisle, swinging
their clenched fists after the manner of spar
ring match, while there was literally Bedlam
of wild uproar.
A good many Democratic members came
out squarely against the present system and
urged radical amendments in the rules govern
Ing the Commission and the making of ap-
pointments Not few were bold enough to
declare themselves in favor of abolishing the
whole business. Nothing came of the debate,
as the Chairman Mr.. Blount of Georgia-the
House being in committee of the whole-sus-
tanned Mr.. Morrison's point of order, and all
the clauses and amendments proposing to
change the system were ruled out. The thor
ough discussion of the question did. however,
show the existence of general and earnest
feeling among the Democrats in favor of es-
sential notifications of the t'reform" system.
PROSPECTS OF ADJOURNMENT.
The arrival of the seersucker and palm-leaf
fan stage of the weather, has turned the minds
of the Congressman seriously to the question
of adjournment. Business is sadly behind,
particularly in the House. Few expect to get
through before the latter part of July. If the
tariff bill does not come up for debate, prob
ably two weeks of time will be saved. The OPP
ponents Of the measure propose to make their
fight at the outset, upon theSconsideration of
the bill at all. If they defeat Mr. Morrison
when he calls up the. bill that will, no doubt,
be the end of it for this Congress.
PERSONAL NoTEs.
Representative Barbour hasiwritten a letter
to his constituents Withdrawing his name
from competition for denomination. This is
not, however, construed as a declination if
unanimously renominated. y.
Hon. John W. Daniel has just returned
from trip east with the Knights Templar of
Richmond. ARGUS.
CLEANED FROM THE MAILS.
The Lynchburg 'virginian" nnounces the
death, near Kansas City, Mo-, June 18th, of
Mrs. Elizabeth E. Hughins, formerly of that
city She was a sister of Rev. Dr. G. B.
Stricken of Atlanta, and of Miss V. M. Strick-
Ter of the Augusta Female Seminary Faculty
of Staunton.
Mr.. William Christian of Richmond and his
wife, formerly Miss Julia jackson, daughter
of Stonewall jackson, have gone to st. Paul,
Mimi, which will be their future home. Mrs.
Gen. jackson will still continue TO live in
Richmond.
Gov. Lee, of Virginia, made his first visit to