Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-04-25
WAR on CIVIL SERVICE.
A Strong Effort Made to Cripple the
Commission.


WASm1NGroN. April 24.-The clause
of the legislative appropriation bill APP
propriating salaries TO the Civil Service
Commission provoked long debate in
the House to-day. The opponents of
the civil service law attacked the APP
preparation. Mr. Spinola, of New York,
denounced the law rs an infamous
Swindle. Their were not ten men on the
floor who favored civil service reform.
IL was as complete humbug as was
ever established.
Mr. Perkins, of Kansas, offered an
amendment eXempting eX-s0ldiers from
the provisions Of the civil service law.
| lie had not much sympathy with the
present law and methods and manner
of it's execution. Members ought To be
| frank 10 themselves and to their con-
stituents. He did not believe there
were a dozen men ON the floor who were
iu sympathy with the law, and he knew
that the people of the country
generally were not i'm sympathy
with it. As long as President Cleveland
profesSed 10 stand by the law he had
mo- support In his own political party.
Never until he took of the mask did he
rally the support OF his party. He
Mr.. Pcrkinsl believed that the weak
ness of the present administration was
that it prOfesSed TO stand by that law.
If there should be- Democratic success
i'm the next election. il would be because
the administration did not stand by the
working Republicans rather than by
its professions OF civil service reform.
Applause. The amendment was ruled
out.
ANOTHER VICIOUS ATTACK.
Biggs. of California, denounced their
civil service law contending that an ad-
ministration should have its friends in
Office. The law was conceived in sin
and brought forth in iniquity. Pendle-
ton was its father, George VIM. Curtis
was its grahny and Dorman b. Eaton
was its nurse and clout washer.
Mr.. Lehlbback, OF New York; Mr.. Nc
Comas. of Maryland, and Mr.. Cutcheon,
OF Michigan. opposed the motion OF Mr..
Houk. Mr.. Cheadle. of Indiana, was OPP
posed to the whole theory ofcivil service
reform. Mr.. GroSyener said he was as
much in favor OF 4 reform in the civil
service as any other gentleman. His op-
position was to the construction, organ
ization and operation of the present
civil service law.
Mr.. Greenhalge, Of Massachusetts,
made a vigorous speech in favor OF civil
service reform.
Mr.. Coleman, OF Louisiana, was OPP
messed TO civil service reform, and he
felt justified in striking it whenever ana
wherever he could.
HENDERSON TO THE DEFENSE.
Mr.. Henderson. of Iowa, said that
civil service reform had come to stay,
and the political party that deserted 1t
would not stay I'm power and ought not
II was not true that this administration
had not enforced the law.
BENJAMIN Harrison, with his
integrity that no party could
dislodge with courage that never
welded I'm any battle had enforced the
law. and was enforcing it, ''and that
what what is the matter with the boys
II he had failed to enforce 1t there
would not be so much kicking on the
back seats Continuing, Mr.. Henderson
said the law was reflex Of the best puo-
lie sentiment and no party dare repeal
il. Mr.. Butterworth, Of Ohio, com
mended all that Mr.. Henderson SAID
The motion to strike out the approprla-
tion was lost by vote Of 81 to l2O.