The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-18
IN TIE NENIIE.
Interesting Talk About CIvii Service Re-
form-The Election Law Repeal BIn.

fOrm-lhe fleCbou LAW hcprnt DILL.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE appearance OF
tho Senate chamber to-day while the journal
was being read would have led any stranger
visiting tho Capitol to suppose that the Demo-
cratic Senators were in a very small minority.
for there we're only three OF them in their
seats. while more than a score Of Republican
Senators were present.
After the presentation OF the usual number
OF circumstances against the Wilson Tariff
bill, the resolution offered yesterday by Mr.
Call Dem. Fla. for an examination into the
condition OF tho civil service OF the United
States, and as TO the rxpedieney OF its
trenchment or it's Increase was laid before the
Senate. and Mr.. Berry tDem., ArkJ expressed
his hostility to any further extension OF the
civil service characteriZing the whole business
rs a great humbug. He was told by Mr.. Call
TINT the resolution had nothing whatever to
do with party politics. 1t was simply as to the
question OF the apportionment Of civil en-
ployees among the States In proportion to
population.
Mr. Hoar rep. MassJ said that whatever
might be the difficulties in the way OF COM
plete application OF the principles OF civil ser
vice reform. he did not see how any body could
desire to continue the system which has pre-
vailed since the time OF Andrew Jackson. IL
not before. OF using the Offices OF tho United
States to bride the people to activity in the
service OF political parties. lie did not think
that any applause could be got anywhere for
such talk as that Of the Senator from Arkan-
sas. except from offlceholders or ofIlce
seekers
Mr.. Allen Pop NebN asked Mr.. Hoar
whether the Civil Service law as now admin
istered. had not a tendency to throw upon tho
country a distinct class OF onlceholders en-
tlrely apart from their merit
Mr.. Hoar said that he did not think so.
Such a motive for political activity as the OBJ
tanning OF public offices was degrading and
debasinG. He did not think it a good thing.
when tho present Admin istratlon came into
power. to have all the foreign consulships
suddenly and promptly changed. The news
paper expression OF "looting" the consulships
was hardly an extravaRant statement. lie
said that the scandal had grown up under
Republican administration In the past. aud
that Mr.. Cleyeland-although he had In many
respects failed to come up TO his own pro-
iessions-had, on the whole. set an example
better than that Set " the early Re-
publican Presidents. He hid not think
1t good thing that ever foreign con-
sulship and Ministry should be changed
at every change Of administration. The
blame OF the recent changes IN the consul
Sims had been attempted TO be placed on a
rel-known gentleman OF his own State Mr..
Josiah Quincy. That was an unjust proceed
ing. Mr. Quincy was made a seapeGoat."
Mr.. Quincy was not President OF the United
States, in whom the appointing power was
lodged by the Constitution and laws, lie was
not tho constitutional adviser OF the President
In the state Department. II the President had
dismissed the representative Of a foreign
country OWING TO some dipinmnfatic liulcnltI.
we'll he criticised Tor that act as Mr.. quincy
be criticised for the changes In consulshiDS
The Tesn2nsiIiity right or " wrong Was WIN
Mr. quincy was an introduction in modern
times Of the old fashion. when boy king was
Who should be whipped when the boy king did
Mr., Allen TOP, Neb.l favored the broaden
ing Of the Inquiry so as to extend II to the point
not in power; but as il was likely TO come into
power in lS6ifthe present condition Of Affairs
deed Il the civil service statute was wiped ont.
SO that his rarty could have clear Held
Mr. tiaIiiuger Rep. y. H. declared himself
opposed, absolutely and utterly to the civil
service law a. 1t exists and was ready o. vote
had got into the service could be degraded in
the service could tie promoted aFnilrariy Or
the Civil Service commission. nor Congress.
nor the President had the power TO stop that
Mr. Torkins tIiep Cal dissented from the
views OF Mr. Berry AMI Nr, tralllnger aud could
ment should not loo conducted on recognized
business principles lie believed that the Civil
work IL there was one tact Ia President
Clsyelanl's Administration that deserved tho
commentator 90 the people. Il was the fact
that lie was in favor Of a wise and Just civil
service reform.
Sir. Lodge Rep Mass spoke in favor %
civil service reform. and said. In reply 10 Mr..
Gallinger's objection. that neither promotions
Reductions nor dsmissals came within the
scope ~ the laws. and that was the reason why
they bTistled with Injustice.
Mr.. White Dem, al expressed himself in
favor Of the resolution. He was disposed 10
think that the Civil Service law was very good
in theory, but a little indispO-ed In practice
lie would not vote for its repeal because lie
thought IL step IN the right direction lie
thought that the present Administration was
carrying II out more strictly than IL had been
carried out before although not in extreme
strictness-
Mr.. COckrell Dom. Mo- made = long state
meat as 10 the way in which the law had been