The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27
CIVIL SERVICE
Congressman on the Reform Law.
Enloe and whitthorne, of Tonnes
see, Express Their Views.
The Former Expresses His Admira-
ton OF the President.
The Latter Indicates the Temper Of
Tennessee Democrats.
Mr.. McComas' Amendment Increasing
the Clerical Force OF the Civil
Service Commission
Passes.

NAfHlNNION, may -D.-lnc HOUSE went
into committee of the whole (Mr Blount of
Georgia, in the chair on the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill.
The pending amendment offered by Mr..
McComas, of Maryland, increasing the cler-
ical force of the civil service commission,
was advocated by Mr.. Tracey, of New York,
who said that the increase would enable the
President TO extend the classified list.
Mr.. Whitthorne, of Tennessee, thought
with 20, 900 licenUates waiting for admission
TO the civil service. there was no necessity
for having that number multiplied. The ef-
feet Of the multiplication would be TO de-
bauch the young men and women Of the
country by Withdrawing them from business
pursuits and putting them on the anxious
seat as applicants for Office He was glad
that he had voted against the civil service
law. He had believed then, as he believed
now, that IL was anti-republican and anti
democratic In its tendencies. lie believed that
II would grow 10 be a sore on the body polite
full OF mischief and danger 10 the theory on
which the government was founded. Stand
ing, rs he did, rs one Of the complninants
against the administration for not turning
Republicans out and putting Democrats In,
President 90 the pledges made In his letter,
and his course In the execution OF what he
found 10 be the law OF the land. lie knew
In his own personal experience that when he
had applied 10 the President for the removal
OF officials because they were Republicans,
the President had stood immoyablc. In his
own State Of Tennessee there had not been
one single removal OF n presidential APP
pointee. The President had waited until
the officials term had expired.
Mr.. Hopkins, OF lllinois--Was any charge
Of inefciency brought against any Of them2
Mr.. Whitthorne---I take II for granted that
ineiliciency is the Rcpublicanism Of the
otiice-holder. l.aughter.l | am perfectly
frank, for | believe that at the ballot box
the people OF the United States are soyer-
eigns, and there they preserved the charac.
ter Of our institutions, and any body, civil
service commission or not. that stands be-
tween them and their judgment Is working
contrary 10 the theory OF our institutions.
| Applause ON the Democratic side.l
Mr.. Hopkins-I thank you for your frank
ness.
Mr.. whitthorne-I am frank; and II you
ever come into power land God forbid thai
you do) hope you Will act ON the prlnciPl,
| | have stated.
Mr. Enloe, Of Tennessee, stated that HI
was not enamored with the civil service law
| hut he asserted that It's administration by
| the Democratic party was much more SINGER,
| than had been It's administration by the Re
| publican party. lie cited instances Of Oh,
| violation OF the law by Republicans In 1850
| when he was interrupted by Mr.. McCOma'
| with the question whether he wanted q
| stop those violations In 1880 on 1883. Laugh
| teri Mr.. Enloe replied that II they were IA
be stopped all the country must look tC
the Democratic party to stop them.
Mr.. Williams, Of Ohio, said that the re-
marks OF gentlemen on the other side r.
minded him Of the pot calling the kettle
black.
Mr.. Butler, Of Tennessee. said that th'
Democratic party in Tennessee had a metho
which beat Jay Hubbell all hollow. III
sent 20 the clerks desk aud had read lette
from J. II. NJ. Davis, secretary OF the Han
cock county Democratic committee. q
United States Commissioner Williams n
Xenophon, Tenn, asking him what steps ID
intended 20 take In the next campaign ans
saying: 'The party II willing 10 give 4
gain strength, but otherwise say bushes
will be withheld" lAnghter.l
Mr.. whitthorne-i know nothing abou
the truth Of the allegations. do not kno'
the parties; but | am gratlhed for one tina
the thing Is working. llaughterl
The amendment was then agreed to-s
20 "A.
While the vote was In progress Mr.. sp
nola, Of New York, entered the chnmbc
and inquired what the pending questio
was On being Informed by the chair tia
the vote was on the amendment incrcasin
the force Of the civil service commission, b
passed between the tcllcrs with the remark
II want 20 be recorded In the ncgatiy
against that relic nj federalism"
The amendment provides for ono add
tional clerk Of class ,. one Of class ? and on
at 81, COO and increases the appropriation f
/, necessary travelling expenses from 400
5000.
Pending further action the committee ro'
| aud tho Houso ndiourned