The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-03-20
MIR. HALE's RESOLUTION.

MIR. HALE'S RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Hale called up the resolution offered by
him, on the 18th of December, for the appoint
ment of a special committee to examine fully
into present condition of the civil service, in
in all branches of the government.
Mr.. Cockrell offered an amendment, to ex-
tend the inquiry to instances of pernicious
partizan activity OF republican officials, since
the executive order of President Hayes, of
june, 1878, particularly in the presidential
elections of 1880 and 1854.
Mr.. Hale said that personally heShad no OBJ
lection to the investigation proposed in the
amendment, but he wished it to be distinct
from his own proposition which was to make o
clear and distinct investigation of what was
gong on today. He could not, therefore con-
sent to the amendment. He was not, how
ever, opposed to the investigation. He de-
sired it, but it should go on distinctly by itself
Mr.. Hoar could not see the propriety of an
amendment proposing to investigate the past
The practical question was that of the present
observance or violation of the law. Mr.. Hoar
asked Mr.. Cocl5rell if by his amendment he
wished to plead an ''offset."
Mr.. Cockrell replied that there was no need
OF an offset. But even if the insinuations in
the original resolution were true, they had
been thousandfold more than counterbal-
anced by the preceding administration.
Mr.. Dawes-Is it a justification which the
senator from Missouri wishes to plead? The
justification is that somebody else was just as
bad as this reform administration.
Mr.. Cockrcll-We don't want any iustifca-
ton. The present administration speaks for
itself and can take care of itself before the
people. We simply want the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth and that is
not what is desired upon the opposite side.
Mr.. Dawes-The senator is resisting just ex-
actly that thing. He is not willing to stand
on merits, but desires to 90 after something
else which may better things where merits
will fail. If the administration is DESTROYS of
standing on its own merits the best way is to
ascertain what its merits are and not what the
merits of somebody else have been
Mr.. Cockrcll-It is the fear of the result that
excites the opposition. ] anticipated as much
All that we ask is that the country may see
the administrations side by side and draw its
conclusions from comparison.
The amendment was defeated by q straight
party vote-yeas "a, nays %; and the original
resolution was adopted.
The bill went over without action, and the
senate proceeded to the consideration Of Mr..
Beck's bill to provide for the retirement of
United States legal tender and national bank
notes of small denominations and the issue of
coin certificates in lieu of gold certificates.
Mr.. Beck addressed the senate in regard to IT,
Mr.. Beck delivered at great length care
fully prepared speech, deYoting his attention
principally TO Mr. Sherman. After critcizing
several OF Mr. Sherman's reports and susgcs-
tions while secretary Of the treasury, Mr.
Beck said
"That is one of the reasons why said that
while the senator from Ohio might DO prcsi-
dent Of the United States, his conduct in rela-
tion to the act of 1873 and his great financial
abilities Exercised, as they have always BEEN
In tho interest of the money power will not be
record of which he will be proud when he
comes before the people. Notwithstanding all
his pretences about silver, lie asserted that IN
the banks of England, France, Germany and
Austro-l1ungary, silver was now in excess Of
gold that silver was there at par
With gold, and that II was