The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-23
TALKING ON REFORM.
The House Engages in a Par
tiSan Debate.
CAMPAIGN SPEECHES REVIVED.
Democrats Accuse the Majority Of Ex-
travagance. but Are Silenced-
Civil Service Reform.

House. Mr.. Gambler OF Massachusetts,
moved that the House concur in the Senate
amendments TO the World fair bin. This
being agreed to, the bill is finally passed
and will be sent 10 the president
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the legislative appropriation
Dill. Mr.. Butterworth, IN brief explana-
ton OF the bill. said that in some of the
bureaus and departments there was sub
stantiaiiy civil pension list Ii consisted
OF number OF old persons who had faith
JULY served the government in the past.
but who were able no longer 10 perform
their duties. They were carried on the
rolls, but were OF no service 10 the govern
ment. The committee on appropriations
had allowed an increase in the clerical
force of the civil service commission sub
stantiallv as requested by the commission.
Mr.. Dockery criticised the bill Is pro-
vided for the appointment OF lsi new CHI
GERS at a cost of $i6l, ,5oo Referring TO the
civil pension list. he said that in the de-
partments were employed 3a7 persons. who
were wholly or partially inefficient. bat
who drew salaries amounting to $3.50 90.
He believed that ii there was new blood in
the departments, $500 clerks could be dis
Mr.. Alien OF Mississippi quoted from q
speech delivered by Mr.. Cannon and used
as campaign document, declaring that
the Republican party was devoted TO the
country, and would, il il came into power,
administer economically and greatly re-
duce expenditures. He then quoted from
the civil service planks of the Republican
party and from President Harrison letter
of acceptance, but the Republican party
had gone back on its promises and he
wanted to call the attention OF the country
to the civil service pretensions OF the ad-
ministration. Mr.. Alien recalled story
as showing Republican opinion OF the
administration. 1t was to the effect that
meeting Republican and asking him what
he thought OF it. he answered:
wanny runs the sunday school,
Levi runs the bar.
Bahy runs tbs White house,
Aud damn ii, here we are
Mr.. Bland addressed himself to the dis
cussion of the monetary question. He
had never regarded this question as party
one, but from the fact of the Republicans
holding caucus after caucus, it would seem
that they were going to make it one. Let
the bill be brought in as any other business
bill would be brought in. not under the
gag law of caucus. He then proceeded
to speak in favor of unlimited coinage of
suver and characterized the Window bill
as demonetizing bill.
Mr.. Cannon replied to Mr.. Dockery's
criticism. In view OF the record of the
last administration and the last congress it
seemed as If the gentleman had swallowed
q camel and were now straining at gnat.
BY the Forty-ninth congress there were
created $50 Offices with an aggregate ex-
penditure of 81, l,i6i.oo0. The increase in
salaries made by the pending bill was only
5000, while the increase in salaries made
in the Fiftieth congress was 81 .2o0,o00.
Mr.. Williams of Illinois criticised the Re-
publicans in the House for not bringing in
a bill for the settlement of the silver ques-
ton, and thus relieving the oppressed peo-
pie of the country.
Mr. Grosvenor said the anxiety mani
tested on the Democratic side in regard to
the popularity and success of the admins
tration was the best sign that the Republi-
can side ought 10 be satisfied with the ad-
ministration. Speaking of the civil service
system, he said he could not believe the
law and its administration WAS approved
by one-fifth of the members of the House
of congress. He was told that there were
on the eligible list enough young men and
women TO fill all places for twenty-five
wears to come. ye. the young men and
women of his district were cajoled and
urged 10 spend their time and money in
being examined, when the men who Issued
the invitations knew the chance was that
not one in 900 would get position.
Mr.. Lodge defended the civil service law.
and resented its being characterized as a
humbug and fraud.
Without finishing the bill. the committee
rose and the House adjourned.