The Portland daily press., 1888-09-04
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The Partisan Activity of Government
Employees Discussed.

WASHINGTON, Sept. BIN the Senate to-
day long partisan debate occurred on the
question of the partisan activity of govern
ment employees.
Senator Plumb, for the Republicans, and
Senator Vest, for the Democrats, were the
principal debaters. The former charged the
Democrats with pretending to holiness and
still using the departments for political pur-
poses. Senator Vest, in his reply, claimed
that the Democrats had retained in Office the
old, moss grown, radical officials who had
been assessed year after year to furnish cam
paign funds for the Republican party, and
that, If Cleveland were defeated, paans
would 90 out from the throats of these Office
holders such as never had been heard except
from the throats Of great army in the hour
Of ultimate victory.
Senator Hoar sent to the clerks desk and
had read letter received by him from Charles
Arpln, OF Quebec, suggesting that, if certain
hay claims held by the Canadians against
the government of the United States were
allowed and paid at this time, the Republican
party could be assured of the support of Cam
ada, the claimants being willing to make good
the allowance. Senator Hoar remarked that
such letters, he had no doubt, were occasion
ally received by Senators from men as ignor-
dnt dS tiey we're DdSe, Dub Tie man VINO nau
written this letter had been candidate for
the Canadian Parliament and was a man of
considerable intelligence and good address.
1t seemed, therefore, that the communication
should be put on the files of the Senate, so
that, when the claims it referred to were
presented, they might be attended with the
history of this attempt at corruption.
1t was so ordered after the remark of Sem
at0r Riddleber, alluding to articles in Eng.
lish papers as to Canada having British IRON
clads behind her, "that we have men behind
our guns, and no slaves"
The Senate then took up the bill for the
admission of the State of Washington, but
laid 1t aside to consider the House bill for
the absolute exclusion of Chinese immigra-
tion. After long debate, in which many
Senators took part, the bill went over until
tomorrow and the Senate adjourned.
In the House.
In the House, today, the Speaker stated
that the regular order of business was the
motion of Mr.. Townsend to suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill relative to the
detail of army and navy officers to educa-
tional institutions. On this motion, no quo
rum voted. A call of the House developed
quorum which Immediately disappeared
when the vote was taken again.
Mr. Forney, of Alabama, interrupted the
proceedings by calling up the conference re-
port on the sundry civil appropriation bill,
but the House refused to consider it.
After an hour or more spent in securing a
quorum, Mr.. Townsend's motion was agreed
to.148 to 16. A motion to suspend thelrules and
put the Oklahoma bill on its passage failed,
however, for lack of a quorum, and at 5
O'Clock the House adjourned.
Maine Postal Notes.
The following changes have been an
nounced in the postal star service in Mainet
Route 92. Bemis to Indian Rock. From Sep
tember 6, 1888, omit supply of Haines Landing
from this route withouC change of distance.
Route SO. Rangeley to Indian Rock. From
September 6. 1888, embrace Hane's Landing,
between Rangeley and Indian Rock, without
change of distance.