Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-21
ONLY THE HOUSE
But One Branch of the National
Legislature in Session.
DISMISSED RAILWAY MAIL CLERKS
The Bill for Their Restoration Up
for Discussion.
OTHER BUSINESS TRANSACTED

There was very slim attendance Of men,
bers when the Speaker called the House to
order today.
Mr.. Bowers (Cal) demanded the regular
order, which was the resolution proposing
an amendment to the Constitution providing
that Senators shall be elected by the direct
vote of the people.
Although two-thirds vote is required for
measures amending the Constitution, the
pending resolution was passed 1877 to 49-13
votes to spare.
The announcement Of the result was re-
ceived with democratic applause.
The House disagreed to the Senate amend
ments on the Indian appropriation bill. and
Messrs. Holman. Allen and Wilson wash
inetoD were appointed conferees.
To Refnstate Railway Mail Clerks.
The bill to repay to West Virginia the d.
rect tax levied by the act Of August 5. 1861,
had the right Of way. but this right was
transferred to some day next week, and the
bill for the reinstatement of clerks dis
missed from the railway mail service be-
tween March Is and May 1. 1889, was taken
up. Under the special order adopted for
this bill. the previous question was to be Or
dered at o'clock.
The bill provided that the Postmaster
General may reinstate without examination
or certifcation by the civil service commits
sion any person who was dismissed from
the railway mail service between March Is
andi May 1. 1Ss0.or who was dismissed from
the service after the last-named date upon
any order made prior thereto.
Mr. Bynum 0nd) spoke in favor OF the
bill.
Mr.. Reeds Views.
Mr.. Reed of Maine contended that the
railway mail service had been benefited
by the reinstatement of the old republican
employees who had been displaced by the
democrats appointed by Mr. Cleveland. The
order of Mr.. Cleveland placing these new
appointees under the civil service commits
sion rev days b The expiration OF
his term was actua .!y by n par.isan
desire to keep the in-,-.lng administration
from restoring the men unjustly dismissed
Mr.. Bynum inquired whether there was
any difference between Mr. Cleveland's ac-
ton in placing the railway mail service un-
de- the civil service toward the close Of his
term. and the action of Mr.. Harrison in
placing the letter carriers under the civil
service just before Mr.. Cleveland's second
term began.
Mr.. Reed replied that he knew nothing OF
this but If 1t was so, II was nothing more
or less than following in Cleveland's foot
steps.
Praise for Civil Service Commission
Incidentally. Mr.. Reed paid a high com.
pliment to Commissioners Thompson and
Roosevelt Of the civil service bureau.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Ohio) also opposed the bill
and eulogized the civil service method OF
making appointments. Mr.. Pendleton
CIV. Va) asked Mr.. Grosvenor whether he
thought he could pass the civil service ex-
animation.
Il think 1 could" replied Mr. Grosvenor
IF the gentleman from West Virginia ask
ed the questions" Republican laughter.
Mr.. Everett (Mass) opposed the measure
While the dismissal Of r. NJ. S. employees
by President Cleveland was undoubtedly a
wrong, ii is impossible to right enc wrong
by committing another. The whole thing
was legacy from the dying spoils system.
While the bill under considera ton pro-
vided that the r. NJ. S. employees dis
missed by President Harrison should be
reinstated only when a vacancy occurred
he feared that vacancies would be made.
A Retnliatory Measure.
Mr. Hepburn Qowa) also opposed the bill,
partly because II looked like a retaliatory
measure. "A few days ago the President
attempted to usurp the legislative powers
of Congress-" he said. land now this seems
to be an attempt on our part to usurp the
Presidents appointing powers