Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-22
I'm CONGRESS TODAY.
The Civil Service Law Discussed In
the Senate.
SUGAR SCHEDULE UP IN TEE HOUSE
Several Amendments Offered by
Different Members.
THE LOUISIANA INTEREST.

THE LOUISIANA INTEREST.
Mr.. Aldrich OR. ~ presented petitions
from wooden manufacturers, clothing deal
ers and others interested in the woolen bus
mess demonstrating against the proposed
reduction of duties on wooden manufac-
lures. together with a copy Of resolutions
on the same subject adopted at a mass meet
ing held in New York city on the 10th in
slant. He said that those industries gave
employment to 10000 people and to $780,
900 Of capital
A like remonstrance was presented by
Mr. Hoar CMass) from the Home Market
Club of Boston. with a protest from work.
ing men expressing Indignation at the sug-
gestion that their signatures to such peti-
tions were Influenced by their employers
A remonstrance from the knights OF
Labor against the issue Of government
bonds was also presented by Mr.. Hoar.
The Flag On the Capitol.
Mr., Sherman (Ohio) presented several
petitions from posts Of the Grand Army OF
the Republic on the subject of the nag over
the Capitol at Washington. He said that
there appeared to be a misapprehension on
the subject which he wished to correct
1t seemed to be supposed that there was
some unreasonable discrimination made
against the flag; but he was informed that
the same flag was now floating over the
Capitol as had foated over 1t since the
formation Of our government. There was
one over the House. one over the senate
and one over the Supreme Court when
these bodies were In session. A bill hao
been introduced in the last Congress TO
have the flag floating every day over the
east and west fronts Of the Capitol. but
that bill had failed to pass. and no appro-
priaticn had been made for the purpose
AS 1t seemed to be a matter OF sentiment.
and as the flag was kept foating over all
the other public buildings of Washington
from morning till night. he hoped that an
appropriation would be made at the pres
ent session to carry out the same general
plan.
MIR. Hale (Me)-A member OF the COM
mittee on appropriations promised that that
committee would see that this thing was
provided for at the present session.
Government Printing Oaice Site.
Mr.. Vest (Mo) reported from the COM
mittee on public buildings and grounds
a bill to purchase a site for a government
printing office. and to provide for the erec-
ton Of building. and gave notice that on
account Of the exigency which existed he
would endeavor to call 1t up for action
whenever he could do SO. In the morning
hour.
A bill to codify and arrange the laws re-
lating to pensions was introduced by Mr.
Palmer QllD and referred to the committee
on pensions.
A resolution calling on the civil service
commission for a statement as to cases in
which 1t is alleged that the civil service
law or regulations have been violated by
or of bureaus since March 4, 1889, was Of
| fered by MIR. Lodge (Mass.) and on objec-
| ton by Mr.. Berry ArkD went over till to-
morrow.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Hoar
(Mass.) and agreed to- calling on the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury for information as to
| the need Of a light ship and of additional
safeguards for the approach of vessels to
Boston harbor.
The Civil Service Law.
| The resolution offered last Thursday by
| Mr.. Call F'la.). 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 1t by Mr.. Berry ARK }
directing the committee to report also the
| number Of persons employed in the classi-
ned service from each state and territory,
and Gas far as possible) the political party
| to which they belong.
Mr.. Berry remarked that the law had
been called non-parisan; but he believed
that 1t was a regular party machine, which
was used to keep republicans in office. 1t
was alleged, he said. that flve out Of every
SIX persons employed In the classified ser
vice belonged to the republican party, and
that was unfair and unjust. He did not
| know whether the law could be repealed or
not; but he believed that it should be modi-
ned and Its opera ton restricted.
Mr.. Cockreli (Mo) asked whether the
| responsibility for the retention Of republi-
| cans IN once was IN the law or in the
| executive.
Mr.. Berry said that he did not know
where the responsibility lay, but he did
| know that the civil service law and rules
We're not carried out in a non-partisan way
and that some Of the most extreme repubii-
| cans were holding office under a demo-
| cratic administration. He believed that q
| democratic President ought to be surround
| ed by political friends and not by those
who were continually doing what they
| could to make his administration a failure
| A Case Of Politics.
| Mr.. Wolcott Col) moved to strike out
of Mr.. Berry's amendement the part that
| requires the politics of employees to be re-
ported. Who, he asked, could tell their
politics. There were men who six months
ago. entertained certain political views and
who had since changed those views radi-
| cally. The best test Of the fitness Of the
civil service commission was that the mem
bers of each political party found the most
fault with IL when their own party was in
power He agreed with Mr.. Berry that the
PRESIDENT should be surrounded by his DO
! Htical friends. but it was not always the
fault of his political friends that he was
not so surrounded. Qaughter)
Mr.. Cockrei tMo) suggested that the
| dates of appointment should be reported
as such dates would indicate very clearly
the political party to which the appointees
belonged and Mr. Wolcott adopted the
| suggestion.
After further discussion. Mr. woIcotts
| amendment was agreed to. Mr.. Berry q
| amendment SO amended was agreed to,
and the resolution was adopted.
The credentials of Senator Martin (Va)
| Tor the term beginning March, 1885, were
presented and placed on file.
| Mr. Teller Coli gave notice that he
would ask the Senate on Wednesday next
70 take up the McGarrahan bill.
| Mr. PETER On the bond Issue
The resolution offered last Thursday by
Mr.. PETER (Kan.) on the subject Of the no.
tice for the issue of bonds. declaring that
the Secretary Of the Treasury had no law
full authority for issuing or selling such
bonds. was laid before the Senate, and Mr..
PETER spoke upon 1t. He proposed, he
said. to call attention to a few fundamen-
tai propositions, and to review the state of
4 the law. If 1t we're true that the Secre-
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