The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-23
THE CIYIL-- ERyICE LAW.
Mr.. Cars RESOLUTION Adoptsd-Proposed
Issue of Bonds Discu sed.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 22-The
usual grist Of petitions and memorials
against "tinkering with the tariff was
poured into the Senate hopper this morn
ing.
A renonstrance from the knights Of
Labor against the issue of government
bonds was also presented by Mr. Hoar.
The resolution offered last Thursday by
Mr. Call instructing the Committee on
Civil Service TO examine into the condi-
ton of the civil service law and the eX-
pediency of its retrenchment or increase,
was laid before the Senate, and an amend
ment was offered TO 10 by Air. Berry, di-
recting the committee 10 report also the
number Of persons employed in the cassi-
lied service from each State and Territory,
and, as far as possible, the political party
to which they belong
Mr.. Berry remarked that the law had
been called non-partisan, but he believed
that il was a regular party machine
which was used 10 keep Republicans In
Office. IL was alleged, he said that Ave
out of every six persons employed in the
classified service belonged 10 the Republi-
can party, and that was unfair and un-
just. He did not know whether the law
could be repealed or not, but he believed
that ii should be modified and its opera
tiOns restricted.
Dir. Cockrell asked whether the respOn-
sibility for the retention of Republicans
in office was IN the law or IN the
Executive.
Mr.. Berry said he aid not know where
the responsibility lay, but he did know
that the civil service law and rules were
not carried out in a non-partisan way
and that some of the most extreme RepuD-
licans were holding office under a Demo-
cratic administration. He believed a Demo-
cratic President ought 10 be surrounded Dy
political friends. and not by those VINO
were continually doing what they could to
make his administration a failure.
Mr. Wolcott moved 10 strike out OF
Mr. Berry's amendment the part that re-
quires the Politics Of employees to be la-
ported. Who. he asked could tell their
politics? There were men who six months
ago entertained certain political views.
ana who had since changed those views
radically. The best test OF the fitness Of
the civil service commission was that the
members OF each political PARTY found
the most fault with II when their ogl
party was In power. He agreed with Mr.
Berry that the President should be sur
rounded by his political friends but il was
not always the fault Of mis- political
friends that he was not so surrounded.
daughter.
Mr.. Cockrell suggested that the dates
Of appointment should be reported as
such dates would indicate very clearly
the political party to which the ap-
pointees belonged, and Mr.. WoloOtt adopt
ed the suggestion. After further dis
cussion Mr.. Wolcott's amendment was
agreed 10. Mr. Berry's amendment so
amended was agreed 10. and the resolu-
tion was adopted.
The credentials Of Senator Martin
Oem.. Na.) for the term begin
ming March Z, 1896 were presented and
placed on iile
The resolution offered last Thursday
by Mr.. PETER on the subject OF the
notice Of the issue Of bonds declaring
that the Secretary OF the Treasury had no
lawful authority for issuing or selling
such bonds, was laid before the Senate
and discussed for nearly three hours.
MIR. PETER held' the floor most Of the
time. yielding however. TO other senators
TO interpOse remarks. one Of the most
pregnant Of these remarks was made by
the Populist senator from Nebraska, Mr..
Allen. and had reference to the PROPOSE
tion on the part Of the knights OF Labor
TO apply to the courts for an injunc-
tion TO prevent the issue Of bonds
Mr.. Allen suggested that the courts
might decline 10 interfere with the Execu-
tive branch of the government and that
the best way would be TO allow the
bonds 10 be issued and then 10 enion
their payment. The resolution Went over
without action until tomorrow. when
II is 10 be further discussed by MIR.
Stewart
Then there was a short Executive ses-
sion and afterwards. at 4:sO 7. NJ, the
Senate adjourned until tomorrow.