Omaha daily bee., 1888-12-19
House.

WASHINGTON, Dec. lS.-ln the mouse TO-
day Mr.. Springer of Illinois stated that he
would not call up the territorial bills to-day.
There would be a meeting Of the com mittee
on territories tomorrow, and it would be
determined when the house measure would
be considered.
The house then went into committee of the
whole and proceeded to the consideration of
legislative appropriations.
MIR. Henderson of Iowa moved to increase
the clerical force of the civil service commi
tee, and the amendment was opposed by Mr..
Randall A debate then ensued on the mat
ter of the civil service. MIR. Henderson said
that the spirit of the law had not bean car
ried out in good faith by the present admin
istration.
MIR. Mcmillan of Tennessee challenged this
statement.
Mr.. Henderson replied that he was thor.
oughly satisfied, and believed that every
other member of the house is, that in the Sc
lection Of clerks under The civil service law
politics have absolutely dominated. He is well
satisfied that republicans who passed theeX-
animation with a higher record than that of
some democrats who have been selected
utterly failed to secure recognition. when
we find stated under the oath of a bureau
chief, and boosted Of, that-91 per cent of the
appointments in this Office are democrats"
he said, I'VE know that some Singula man.
ipnlation is going on.o
MIR. Cummings of New York moved to
strike out the whole clause relating to the
civil service commission. He believed the
commission to be undemocratic, and ne knew
that ii the rules of the commission were ap-
piled to members of the house not five.
eighths of them would ever reach its floor
again.
Mr.. Spinola of New York favored the
motion as one with. which seveu-eighths of
the people of the country sympathlzed. He
knew that three-fourths Of the republicans
are sincerely inwardly opposed to the civil
service law, and the democratic side of the
house, if it could be pollcd sincerely. would
be unanimous, because it would be acting in
accordance with the request of an over
whelminG majority of the people. The demo
Gratis are going to obey the order of Novem-
Der like thorough Americans and democrats.
Mr.. Henderson asked if the democratic
party did not pledge itself IN favor of the
civil service law.
Mr.. Spinola-It is and was in favor of an
honest civil service law. ! will explain that
from a democratic standpoint. 1t is the civil
service law of Jefferson. When an applicant
appeared he was asked SIS he honest? Is he
capable? Is he a friend of the constitution! '
That means of the democratic party.
Mr.. Buchanan of New Jersey-Did the
gentleman's clarion voice ring in be-
half of those principles in 1854
Mr.. ~Spinola-Never in my life; and, what
is more, that ancient and powerful organiza-
ton that sent me here time after time, by
resolution. denounced this law, and, until 1t
changes 1fOlI. L, Us u HuilDlc -mcIlDBF u
Tammany hall, shall stand here and oppose
this legislation.
Mr.. Heuderson's amendment was finally
rejected--27 to GO.
The debate was continued at length by
Messrs. Brown of Indiana, and Springer of
Illinois. The latter took occasion 10 say
that if President Harrison administered the
civil service law in the same spirit IN which
it has been administered by Cleveland, the
people would have no reason to complain.
Continuing, he said that if It were not for
that cumbersome and obsolete board known as
the electoral college the democrats would
now be rejoicing in "A great national victory.
On the principle which his party submitted
at the last election, there was u large major
ity of people on the popular vote, who de
cided in favor of the platform of the demo-
cratic party.
The Lodge of Massachusetts said that in
view of the opportunity which the democrats
possessed for increasing Cleveland's majority
in the southern states, they must feel like
Lord Give and wonder at their modera-
ton in giving him only 100, 900 majority.
The motion of Mr.. Cummings TO strike out
the civil service section was finally rejected
-25 to 13S-and the reading of the bill was
concluded. The then arose and
the bill was passed.
MIR. Tillman, of South Carolina, reported
the military academy bill, and it was placed
on the calendar.
Adjourned.