The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-18
CIyIL-sEBYICE REFORM.
Mr.. Calls Resolution Precipitates Deba's
in she Senate-Federal Els ction Laws.

y
in she senate-Federal Els ction Laws.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 17.-onIy
three Democratic and a dozen Republi-
can senators were in their seats this
morning when the journal was read.
After the presentation Of the usual num-
Der Of remonstrances against the Wilson
tariff bill, private bin for the refunding
of q small amount wrongfully collected
for internal revenue tax, in 1865, engaged
attention for nearly half an hour, and
was finally placed on the calendar.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr..
Call, for an examination into the condi-
tion OF the civil service of the United
States, and as 20 the expediency Of its re-
trenchment or its increase, was laid
before the Senate, and Mr.. Berry express
ed his hostility to any further extension
Of the civil service, characterizing the
whole business as great humbug. lie
was told by Mr. Call that the resolution
had nothing whatever TO do with party
politics. 1t was simply as TO the ques-
ton Of the apportionment Of civil EN-
ployes among the States in proportion to
population.
Mr.. HOar said that whatever might be
the difficulties in the way OF q com
plete application Of the principles of civil
| service reform, he did not see how any
body could desire to continue the sys-
tenn which had prevailed since the time
| OF Andrew jackson. If not before, OF using
the Offices of the United States TO brioe
the people 20 activity Ia the service Of
political parties He did not think any
applause could be got anywhere for such
talk as that OF the senator from Arkan-
sas. except from ofiice-holders or Office
! seekers.
/ Air. Alien asked Mr.. Hoar whether the
civn service law, as now administered
had not a tendency to throw upon the
/ country a distinct class of osiice-holders
/ entirely apart from their merit.
Mr.. Hoar said that ne did not think
| so. Such a move for political activity
as the obtaining Of public offices was
| degrading and debasDg. He did not think
/ it a good thing when the present admins
tration came into power, TO have all
the foreign consulships suddenly end
| promptly changed. The newspaper eX-
] rression OF footing the consulships'
was hardly an extravagant statement.
| He etated that a scandal had grown up
! under Republican administrations in the
| nast and that Mr. Cleveland. although
4 he had in many respects failed 10 come
! mn 10 his own profess'0 0ns, had, on the
| whole set an example better than that
| sci bv the early Republicar presidents
| he did not think il good thing that
every foreign consulship and ministry
| should be changed at every change or
! sdn.irietfatfOn. The blame for the recent
| changes in the consulships had been at
| tempted to be placed on a well-known
| gentleman Of his own state, josiah
| Quincy. That was an unjust proceeding
| Mr.. Quincy was made "A scapegoat.
| THE general subject Of civil service was
/ taken up by several senators, ana was
| still under discussion When the hloilhhs
| hour expired at !. NJ.
federal Election Laws.
Tie resolution went over without ac-
| ton. and the House Dill 70 fep'ai the
! Federal election laws was taken up -
| the unfinished business
Mr. Chandler offered an amendment. AZ
| an additional section, giving party cahdl.
| dates for Congress the right 10 appoin'
| a watcher at the polls IN each Pio0i"0''
and argued in favor OF H. - ,,.,,o
Mr.. German declared the posiuoI' ot 49,
| Democratic side to be that there shouiu p'
| no Federal Supervision OF elections WHAT
J ever "Those OF us" ne said, "who are III
/ favor OF repeating the Federal eiectioH
| laws are content to leave the entire super
vision of elections TO the people ana 70
the laws OF the state. II they are not
competent 10 do it. then popular govern
| mont rs a failure" Mr. Chandler resumed
ana continued his argument. lie was asked
by MIR. Allen, .(Pop., Neb) if It was not a
notorious fact tina; in the cities where the
Federal election laws were enforced the
denutv Supervisors were thugs and were
apnoinfed on account of their notorionsly
bad and desperate character.
MIR. Chandler replied in the negative
and said that Mr.. Allen had sot ho'd Oh
some Democratic lie which had been eN'
nlodcd for nineteen years. UAaughter).
| ..What then" Mr.. Allen asked, is tbe
character OF those persons?'
] "Excenent as a whole" Mr.. Chandler
replied "as good as the character ol
election officers generally
"The impression created on my mind,
AR Allen said, has been that these
Federal election laws have been used to
perpetuate IN power the party In power
when the election is held"
Mr. Palmer laid il down as his theory
that the people In every state, township,
and election district, had the right them
selves TO control and regulate, and con-
| duct their own elections. The people
| were peaceful; they were intelligent; thsy
1oved liberty: they loved law and order,
| AVID they appreciated the value Of free
government Hence there was no occa-
sion for invoking the Federal power
! In response TO Mr.. Gray's question, as
"a when a final vote on this bill could be
taken. Mr.. Chandler said he was unwil-
linp TO 90 on with the debate in The abb
sence OF the senior senator from New
York tho cause OF whose absence the
Democrats probably knew. When he re-
b,rned. Mr.. Chandler said he would pro-
ceeS with the debate. and let II come 10
a vote at the earliest possible moment.
Mr. Gray evidently abandoned his idea
! OF getfing an answer to his question as
10 when vote could be expected; ana
without pressing II further. at 4:o5, the
Senate, upon his motion. went into ex.
eeutiye session. and at 5:5 ADJOURNED
urtil to.moTroW.