The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-08
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Some Of the Topics Which are At
tracing Attention There.
A Civil Service Discussion and a
Parable ExplaIned-Mr. sassett's
Long Service Recoanized-consu
General Sewall Asked to Resign.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Tin the Senate Mr..
Cockrell, from the committeen on military
affairs, reported a substitute for the House
bill to remove the charge of desertion from
soldiers Of the late war and Of the Mexican
War, where such soldiers afterwards served
faithfully until the expiration of their term
of enlistment. He explained that it was q
general law intended to cover all classes of
worthy and deserving soldiers, while not
breaking down the distinction between de-
serters and true soldiers. Itwas continu-
ance of similar acts of 1882, 1884 and 1881, and
1t was an unanimous report.
Mr.. Hawley complimented Mr.. Cockrell,
IAN ex-Confederate officer" for his labori-
Gus action in regard to the bill, which he
Mr.. Hawleyl said was entirely satisfactory
to the military committee. The substitute
was agieed to, the bill passed, and a confer
ence committee was ordered, Senators Haw-
ley. Manderson and Cockrell being appoint
ed conferees on the part of the Senate.
The conference report on the bill to incor-
pOrate the Maritime Canal Company of
Nicaragua was presented by Mr.. Sherman
and agreed to. The bill how goes to the
President for his approval.
The bill to establish life saving station at
or near the mouth of st. George river, Maine.
was passed
Mr.. Sherman offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, for the appointment of
committee of three Senators to make the
necessary arrangements for the Inauguration
Of the President-elect on March 4th. The
bill to further suspend the operation of the
Revised Statutes in relation to the Guano
Islands for five years from the 18th of April,
1883. WAS -passed, The, bill to provide for
writs OF error or appeals to the Supreme
Court of the United States in all cases in-
vOlving the question of jurisdiction In the
courts below, was passed.
Senators Davis and Daniel were appointed
on the board of the Military Academy. The
House amendment to the Senate bill relating
to the cutting of timber on Indian lands was
concurred in.
The Senate resumed consideration of the
legislative appropriation bill, the pending
question being on the amendment to give an
additional clerk for class 3 to the civil SER
vice commission. Mr.. Chandler denied that
anything in the action of the last administra-
tion justified the action of the present ad-
ministration in placing 5000 postal clerks I'M
der the supposed protection of civil service
rules, since the November election. He
hoped one of the first acts Of the new ad-
ministration would be to get rid of the dis
reputable and incompetent postal clerks ap-
pointed since March, 1885.
Mr.. Cockrell argued that difference In
numbers did not affect the principle.
Mr.. Hawley described the magnitude of
the work of the civil service commissioners
as a reason for increasing the clerical force,
and quoted the civil service paragraph Of
the Republican National Convention for the
edifcation of those who believed 1t right, for
the amusement OF those who looked on with
incredulity at the whole system. The pro.
fessions of the party were not mere pre-
election professions, but were made In Obe-
dience to an enlightened public sentiment.
Mr. Allison expressed the belief that the
the statute books, should be fairly carried
out He contended its extension to the pos
tai mail clerks last December was not an ex-
tension by the commission. 1t was practi-
cally not commission since October, when
one of its members was confirmed as COM
missioner of Indian affairs, and another paid
no attention to it, The new administration
should be allowed to make rules for the ex-
tension Of the law to postal mail clerks.
Mr.. Teller defended the last administra-
tion and the fidelity with which it executed
the civil service law.
Mr. German argued that II no civil service
commission existed now, 1t was the fault OF
the Republican majority of the Senate,
which would not allow the officers to be
filed, but acted on the principle that when
there was to be change of administration
the wheels OF government must be stopped.
Mr.. Hoar approved the extension by Piesi-
dent Cleveland of the civil service law to
postal mail clerks. Unfit persons holding
Offices could be removed. The process In the
past OF turning men out and putting men in
was a scandal aud shame to Republican
administration and had become intolerable
to the majority of the Republican party of
his own state: Civil service reform like all
reforms In this country, had the most con-
genial soil in the Republican party. He read
the parable OF the "sower who went forth to
sow Seeds" The seeds which fell by the
wayside and were devoured by the fowls of
air were Democratic seeds. The seeds that
withered because of no root were the Mug
wump Seeds Those which brought forth
fruit were Republican Seeds
Alter further discussion, the salary of the
chief clerk of the department of justice was
increased from 5000 to $500. Mr.. Gormau
moved to increase the salary of the assistant
doorkeeper OF the Senate $500 so long as the
position was held by the present occupant,
who had been in the service of the Senate
for 5S years. Mr. Hoar suggested that the
name Of Bassett be mentioned In the amend
meDt "t0 embalm the name of an excellent
and hOnOred public servant in the annals of
the Senate" The amendment was modified
accordingly, ana agreed to. The bill went
over until tomorrow, and the Senate ad-
journed at 6.10.
The Senate committee on military affairs
today ordered favorable report upon the
nroposition to present Mrs. Irene Rucker
Sheridan $4,000 in token of the couptry's
anoreeiation of the services rendered by her
husband, General Sheridan. This is TO be
urged In lieu Of pension,