New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-14
WORKING AGAINST THE COMMISSION.


THE HOUSE VOTES TO REDUCE THE CLERICAL
FORCE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BUREAU.
Washington. Feb 10 CSpecial.-The debate on CNn
Service reform that began the House yesterday anu
which might perhaps lie styled uncivil debate cur
minated to-day only ore Democrat TO-DAY hiteu ms
voice I'm favor Of the Civil service Commission pu
every Democratic Representative present voted WIN
him Most Of them had learned before the Cleveiihu
reform Administration ended that the Civil service
law and regulations offered only feeble barriers against
their desires and they were ready to act az II
lusonsts7 for the occasion. There are not a uohc"
men among them who have not openly derded t'o
Civil Service law and tried in every way to circum
vent IL: or who did not denounce Dir. CleVela"u
feeble and spasmodlc efforts to enforce it. prom
mont and influential Democratic Representative TO-DAY
said 70 a Tribune CORES pOndent: "Oh, You musthe
cbde rs We really believe in Civil Service reform
when your party is in power It's like putting
curb on a colt; it can do no harm"
This Democrat was right. The experience ana op'
seryaton Of four years showed most concluSivey tae
bo civil, sor,,ice law offers few obstacles which Demo
cratic officials cannot srrmoun and it is asserted l"
be q notorious fact that good many persons WIN
were appointed to place in Washington os'ehs'pN
under that law but really In violation OF H. nave nco'
continued in Office, not 10 much because I'll Vn'"
efficiency as because Of the fact that the Republican
hcads of departments and bureaus are shy OF dohe
ANYTHING which might be criticised as Woiauoh Vi
the spirit OF Civil Service reform.
This much AT least may be fairly said IN DehaH Oh
the Republicans who within the last TWO uaNS h.No
apparently opposed the Civil Service COMMISSION tna'
they want as pure and efficient pubnc service d.
other men do and whether the criticisms which ule'
have uttered against the owl service 'oii"S9''" "'
inst or not they are honest
81 far AZ the debate to-day concerned the
friend, Of the Commission had the best Of 1t, ana
while there may be some question a. to the cHeot VI
the provision adopted the advantage apparently rests
with them. careful construction probably VIII w
a disappointment 90 their opponents. Inc oeoa'o "''
interesting and attracted an unusual amount Oh "V
tcnton considering the debate Of its occurrence "eh
the Uouse of Representatives IS wont TO he iathe'
mpatent of mere oratOry Several good tpecches
were made on both sides, among which may DO nv"
toned those of Messrs Lodge, Buttcrworth ana NC
Comas in favor OF the Commission, ana tn"'c Va
Messrs Grosvenor Cannon and others. opposing u'
provision in the bill, and Mr. Dingleys amehdihc"''
which was framed TO the same end.
When the Legislative Appropriation bill came UP TO-
day Mr. McComas OF Maryland, offered an amehu'
ment appropnating for the clerical forces III ue Wv"
Service Commission the amount provided for III 'Ao
current Appropriation act
Mr.. Grosvenor. Of Ohio, raised point OF orue'
against the amendment, which was sustained by inc
Chair. and on Mr. Euttcrworths appeal the decision
Was sustained-lO9 10 SO.
Mr. Cannon then moved an amendment pr'Nluins
for a secretary and a stenogapher at Tl'"" ca'''
This he said would comply with the terms OF 'no
organic law. -
MIR. Buttcrworth said that Mr.. Cannon knew ta'
these points OF order intended TO strange 'ho
C,ru e,rvice Commission He knew perfectly well
that te Authorization lii reducing the force oil
the Commission Onefonrth.
Mr. Butterworth accused Mr. cannon I" noon'
sistency and said that year ago he Nr' Oahho''
recognizing the fact that unless there was an ioc'o
u, farce in the Commission the service must be par
ada no
the prctcnce Of observing the rules OF the ioo' ~
struck down the Civil service Commission
Mr. Caunon-YOu are mailing false accusations
against your colleagues. .
Mr. Butterworth-I am holding up the rentleman's
record before his face and propose to hang up "
tween Orion and Pleiades 20 that everybody can f' IT,
(Laughterl -
W. Cannon-Mr Butterworth and other gentlemen
rot satisfied with the law. wanted to give the Com
mission q force Of clerks and examiners hhder u'
direction AGA appointment Of the Commission ihdo
pendent Of The Departments, Independent OF every
body In hi, opinion this was not a wise thin4 70 40
and he felt certain IL would not be done lie WAS not
In love with the civil Service law bu' nc u'u i''
wish 10 cmharrass it, enforcement
Mr. r,ro,venor Of Ohio. said he was not opposed I"
Civil Service reform contemplated In the 'h''"go
convention but be would have The heads OF The De
par,ments select the men TO 60 before an EXAMINING
board.
lie did not bel eve that there an Intelligent man
in the House or senate WHO spoke Of the work OF
distributing patronage anything but an annoyance
and an embarrassment. But some gentlemen Thought
that IL sounded little better 10 take ground against
civil scryice reform. for fear Of being called MISS
Nancvs and dudes. lie thought hc knew what was inc
reason for the attacks Of Mr. Grosvcn0r. lie hih
complan>d that the Commission was Aggressive ana
that was the trouble II would not lie struck without
striking back He then quoted from speeches MAGE
by Mr. Groevenor and from his testimony before tho
Civil service Committee Mr.. Grosvenor had said III
the House that he wanted TO repeal the civil service
layr before the committee he had said that he dd ot
want 10 repeal the law and had never 'hd so ~
| suoech the gentleman had said that no one IN lnc
cassjcd service had been appointed from MS dsif1cI
the Commission had shown that there were clgIl. PIT
sons 90 apuontcd The Civil service law was being
admin crcd without regard 70 parry ana tlcrc WIZ
| mo ntber honest % administer IT,
\ Mr. Dnglcy. OF Maine. moved 10 amend MI. ,eal.
mons amendment by inserting provision approphahH
3G 400 To- enable The COmml sion 20 execute the pr"
vislons Of the civil Service act. The amendments "ee
egrocd TO- and Mr. CannOns amendment ~ amended
adopted - an - a.. tto,so
| The first question was the amendment providing
for clerks - members not chairncn 0i committee.
! fle amendment dcfcatcd-ycaS az, nays lao. Inc
/ bin then passed.