The morning times., 1896-12-22
FUN WITH CIVIL SERVICE
Library Bill Drew Out a Sharp
Debate.
QUIGG PLAN WAS DEFEATED
Long Drawn Out Talk in the House.
Removals Shall BE for Cause
Librarian Topped Off Sharp
Filings Between Members.

The House played football with civil
service yesterday. 1t adopted an amend
ment to the library schedule of the legis-
lative appropriation hill, saying appoint
nlents should he for fitness ana removals
for cause and then refused to draw its
employees from the civil service list.
Mr.. William a Stone said the President
might put the hbrary under civil service
rules, whereas the commission holds that
he has already done SO. When Mr.. Quigg 5
substitute, transferring the control OF
the library from the librarian to the
Library Committee had hccn defeated and
the librarian salary reduced To $4,000,
the civil service paragraphs of the bill
came up Of their own right ana MIR. Evans
gave the system a kick. The amusement
will be continued when the discussion is
resumed today.
1t was nearly 2 o'clock when the immi-
grafton bill was sent 10 conference and
the committee OF the whole resumed con-
>ideratipn Of Mr.. Quigg's substitute of
Saturday.
Mr.. Quigg offered an amendment TO his
substitute. IL was that after the force
was organized in the new building, re-
nlovals should he for cause and after full
inquiry. He asked unanimous consent for
its incorporation in has proposal, but oh
lection was made.
TRIBUTE TO SPOFFoRD.
Gen Bingham then began his answer TO
Mr.. Quigg'S speech on Saturday evening
He turned aside to pay a formal tribute
to the present librarian. He said:
lit was through his persistency, his
knowledge Of tie libraries of the world,
of the needs of a library, of copyright
laws, tiat the rule was adopted which
gives TO the library today two volumes OF
every book printed i'll this country.
Taking up the eiJemN of the Appropriations
Committees bill he said the pay OF the
librarian was increased To So 900 be-
cause of increased responsibilities. The
committee, AZ was proper. did not propose
TO change existing law. II left the ap-
poimtment Of librarian in the hands OF the
President and the President could remove
him on days notice + the public good
demanded it. There was no ground for
a change OF the law; no reason to make
the appointment 10y the President subject
to the approval of the Senate.
The office Of librarian, lie claimed, was
a life position toy practice. Patrick Ma
gruder held the place for a number OF
years, George Walker was librarian from
1913 to 1929. when jackson turned hin
out because Ills paper attacked the ad-
ministration. John S Bingham was Ii
brarian from that time till 1861. when
Mr. Stephenson took hold, TO resign in
i S64 because he wanted a higher place.
Mr.. Spofford then took hold and has held
the place ever since.
Appointments under the librarian had
always been made, he said, by the librarian.
1t was usual that thsShould be made under
a specific appropriation. He pointed out
that the library force as proposed by Mr
Spofford was accepted by the Library Com
mittee, except that nine persons were added
by that committee TO make IA catalogue,
requiring about three years. This cata-
logue would not be, however, a subject
catalogue.