New-York tribune., 1896-12-23

ANENpMkNT LOST 49, PASSAGE or THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION BILL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIRvHEl
Washington Dec. 22.-When the House Of Rep.
r'sentatives adjourned yesterday most of It's
bers fondly believed that the consideration OF the
Legislative Appropriation bill would he finished
and the measure passed in time for them to take
the early afternoon trains and start for their
homes 10 enjoy the Christmas festivities. They
reckoned without their host. They forgot that the
annual attack on the Civil Service law due
to-day. and that the usual charges ana counter
charges would consume considerable time bu,
they were forcbly and unpleasantly reminded Of
it soon after the sitting began, when an amend
men: was offered by Mr.. Baker. OF ow-Hamp-
shire. This amendment. which was the subject
of "A three hours debate. was Of the most sweep
ing and radical nature. as the text OF It. which
follows will show:
The head of each OF the several executive de-
appoint 10 any subordinate position. which from
any cause may become vacant in his Department.
any person now or formerly employed In the Civil
Service of the Government. who, in his opinion
was reduced In salary discharged from the
service for causes not affecting his her ei-
cheney or moral character. and such prior service
Civil Service certificate OF eligibility. anything
In any statute. rule or regulation TO the contrary
Notwithstanding.
The amendment was inspired by the perform
ances OF tho Administration in dismisslng from
the service or reducing in grade = many Rcpub-
lican employees possible and hllins their places
with Democrats. and then extending the Civil Ser
vice regulations so as TO protect the latter. and
Its adoption was advocated hy it's author in al ex-
ceedingly vigorous speech. in which the acts Of
tho Administration were bitterly denounced. 1t
was evident that Mr.. Baker. who formerly n
clerk in the Treasury Department. had devoted "A
good deal OF time TO an investigation OF his sub
ject, and he submitted array OF facts which.
although incomplete. according TO his own state
la L.i,. f.i,.r
reformers who have had profound and implicit
faith in President Clevcland's sincerity and zeal
bitter foe OF the spoils system and true
blue" reformer
CHAIRMAN BROSIUS AROUSED
Mr.. Bakers attack aroused Chairman Brosius
OF the Committee on Reform in the civil Service.
who was evidently no; surprised 10y unprcpared
for II. He regarded the amendment calcu-
lated and designed to emascula;e the civil Service
law. well assault upon the merit system.
and he delivered earnest speech in opposition
TO It. His defence OF the merit system was the
strongest that has been heard In the House OF Rep
resentatlves for many day. and his speech. which
contained many eloquent passages. was replctc
with opposite facts and striking illustrations.
which showed that he had devoted much and deep
study to his subject He drew the fire OF at least
half score OF the Democrats who have proatcd
by tho ADMINISTRATORS curious theory Of clyil Ser
vice reform and It's equally curious administration
OF the Cv Service. and he got the better OF all OF
them. Questions from McMn. McCrcary. Cox.
Terry ana hal; dozen others were answered so
clearly. promptly 80 completely ana with such
patient good iuro iha; .ven the most obiuse man
among them must have confessed TO himself that
the Pennsy lvanlan had the better Of him. But Sir.
Erosus did not try TO hide or gloss over the sins
OF the Administration against Civ Service reform.
a curious feature OF the proceedings was the
Offering and advocacy BY Mr.. Settle OF North Caro-
u IN ffrike
from the bill all appropriations for the civil Ser
Vice Commission. The d' feat of this amendment
10y overwhelming ma 'riiy. despite the resent
ment aroused by tho mai-adfninisirat!on OF the
Clv Service law and the Wholesale prescription Of
employees who Republicans. was exceedingly
gratifying Mr. Bakers amendment went out on
point OF order.
THE DEBATE ~ DETAIL.
Tho House on motion OF Mr. Bingham Hep..
PENN. went into Committee OF the Whole. Mr..
Hepburn Rep.. Iowa. the chair. for further con-
sidcration Of the Legislative. Executive and Ju-
diclal Appropriation BILL tho appropriation for the
Civil Service Commission being the pending ques-
tlcn. Mr.. Gibson Kep.. Tenn spoke against the
present law and Mr.. Baker diep. y. liD followed
in a speech on a proposed amendment authorizing
heads OF departments TO reappolnt. without exam
nation employees who may have been discharged
for causes not affecting their moral characters or
efficiency The present law. he said, was not
reform: 1t had been passed under misreprescnta-
ton and executed in deceit, Il had never been hon
est sincere
Mr. Brosius (Rep. PENN. chairman Of the Com
mlitee ON civil Service Reform and Reirencnment.
replied 10 the criticisms made by the preceding
speakers and his defence Of. tho merit system
aroused d number Of the members, the usual am
mated coloquy attending civiI Service discussion
for IA short time raging on the moor. re siii tle
criticisms made on the law mad their origin IN the
fact that the merit system hdd not yti peen -. ~
of the remnant spols system sun rcfnhinins
An Investigate made al the closc OF me iast session
rad shown that OF the y 90 offices under the classi-
fed service only thirtytnrce OF the ncunDenis were
reported to be below the average standard OF cill-
(Rep., III. Mr.. Brosus said that he would nor re-
tain any part OF the Cvil Service under the sIoils
system. believing 1t TO be intrinscay nrr: i'au
ious inoqIitablc and absolutely Sernicuiar. ,,
While commenting the action oil President 'i''Ne-
vice Mr. Brosus denounced In unncasurcd ' rms me
preliminary action Of the Administration leading up
Mr. McNIiIin (Dem.. Tenn alluded to the suspension
by President hSrrsS as,sd 5v rcient ai M ceye
Land placing the Railway Mail S.rVice under tne
ClyI! Service law: and he asked Mr. Brosius u ne
yr Rrosis responded that he did in that instance
fo: the order resulted In great ana conspicuous I'M
nj issued that order the Railway Mall Service was
chsQs s 9SnS tSe no inf The
age OF errors was one to 40" Plsc"s hana"n' hn
rcstoring old and Efficient clerks the average 9I
crrors decreased until 1t reached the remarkaDie
ao,,re Of ono To 10000 pieces handled
9rhe commitfce rose Informally and the House re-
~, a message from the Senate transmitting the
I-oon, D"dciency bill. with a sEh, amendment.
This was arre.d 10 by the House. and the Dill now
goes % the President. ,,. -, -.
Rcsunng The sitting Of the Committee o' the
VII Mr richardson Dem. Tenn replied 10
lo''' ~ s,at.mcn:s made b. Mr.. Brosius. assert
inr ba, he changes in the Railway Nal Service
mnder President Harrison were unparalleled and un-
uIce' ,r,od THE object OF this debate he said. was
pain. n was 10 mako way or 10 prepare the country
PFr an Executivc order or proclamation by the
LOT LOT H., e. n he inauguraied On March T. by which
clerls appointed under this Admlnlstration ana sup.
bo dsm,sscd and their places filed by political an
tagonists. g., .,,,o-.od tho ct,ii ser
M ~ " nd ra,J that in his opinion tho most
rnic;cws nrT thing in tho matter Of appointments was
" raassionaj influence Tho proposition to throw
SonRi @ on, ~ employment here in Washingon. with
mh, III, d.nendIng on him simply 10 give his place