The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-25
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
A Lively Discussion Of the
Commission.
IT IS SUSTAINED 6Y A VOTE.
The Reform 10 vIgorossiy Attacked and
Ably fsnded-The Federal
Eleotton Btll.
IT IS SUSTAINED BY a VOTE.

wAsHrSsrox CTR, April AIN the House,
the . ns.e bill vas passed creating the Customs
collection District Of Arizona
The House then went into committee OF the
whole en- the legislative appropriation bill
When the clause appropriasine salaries for the
csvil service commission wss reached MT.
Cummings OF New York maze point Of order
that twas not proper IN the bill - the ccmmis-
sion was neither legislative, executive nor
judicial. After some debate the point cf order
was oyerruied
Molten by Mr.. Dorsey OF Nebrsska. to reduce
the number OF commissioners from three TO one
was overruie1, ~ was also one by Mr.. Perkins
OF Kansas, exemptile ex soldiers from the pro-
visions OF the civil 81 Fyise Law.
Nj. Houk OF Tennessee moved to strike ont
the entire cianse- He desired that the govern
ment should be run on business principles; he
desired TO see merit recognized. but be did not
believe in this 9th wheel TO the wagon.
Furthermore. the commission was under indict-
ment ana no appropriation should be made
until the committee charged with the iuvestiga-
ton had made a report
MI Moore OF New York announced himself -
. civil service reformer without qualification.
Mr.. Biggs Of California denounced the civil
service law. Ii was, he said, conceived In sin
and broasih forth in iniquiiy. FendIeton was
lis father, George William Curtis its granny
and Dorman Eaton It's nurse.
Messrs. Lehibach Of New York. McComas of
Maryland, and Cutcneon OF Michigan opposed
Mr.. Houk's motion. Mr. Cheade of Indiana op-
posed the whole theory of civil service reform.
MT. 0roEyenor OF Ohio was opposed to the con.
strucion and operation OF the present law,
while be favored reform.
Mr.. Hopkins of Illinois saii Mr.. Houk was out
OF joint with the sentiment OF his party a. ex-
pr ssed in Its platform.
Nj. Dunneii OF Minnesota said that under the
civil service law intelligent men did not enter
the service. 1t was the GUIDES that were going
in under the present system.
Mr.. Hill of Illinois characterized the motion
~ an effort to do by indirection what neither
great political party had the desiye or courage
TO do openly.
orous speech in favor OF civil seS1ice reform.
Mr.. Coleman OF Georgia opposed II.
Mr.. Henderson of Iowa said civil service re-
form had come 10 STAY and the political party
that deserted it would not stay In power and
ought not. 1T is not true that this administra-
ton has not enforced the law. Pr. sident Har-
rison 10 enforcing it aud that's what's the mat
ter with the boys"
Mr.. Mckinley of Ohio earnestly opposed the
motion TO strike out II the Republican party
was pledged to one single thing more than
another IL was The maintenance Of the civil SER
vice law 1t was not only according to the ten
cts OF the Republican party. but according TO
the best sentiment OF he Republican party
throughout the United States 1t was suse ined
by the best sentiment OF the whole country, Re-
pubiicans and Democrats alike. The Republi-
can party must take no backward step.
Mr.. ButterWorth endorsed every word his col
league had said. Nothing smacked of mouasch-
zeal sentiments 50 much Is the spoiis system.
Tne motion TO strike out was lost by 81 to 10.
and, pending further action, the committee rose
snd the house adjourned.