The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-08
SESSION OF THE SENATORS.
A NUMBER OF FREE COINAGE Pc
TITIONs PRESENTED.

A Joint Resolution Proposing Re-
strictiOn of the Presidents Veto
POwer-The POstOfIlce ApprOpria-
ton Bill Gives Rise TO Long
~s Debate over the Consolidation of
Offices.
Washington. April I'm the Senate to-
day Mr.. Teller, rep, of Colorado, present
ed resolutions from branches of the
American Federation of Labor in various
states for the free and unlimited coinage
Of silver, without waiting for the aid of
any other nation-one of them declaring
that the members Of the branch would
not assist any candidate who was not in
favor of free coinage, no matter to what
political party he might belong.
Mr.. Butler, pop. of North Carolina, in
troduced a joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution of the
United States, limiting the Presidents
veto power. 1t proposes that a presi-
Dental veto may be. overcome by a ma
jority vote Qnstead Of two-thirds' vote)
in both houses also that all orders, reso-
lutions and votes to which a concurrence
of both houses may be necessary, except
on the question of adjournment, shall DE
presented to the President and shall be
approved by him before they take effect.
1t was referred.
The postofice appropriation bill was
taken up, the pending question being Oh
the proposition as to the compensation
OF clerks at postal stations ana sub-sta-
ions. The proposition involved the ques-
ton Of the consolidation of the fourth class
postotficeS in the vicinity OF large towns
and cities and the substitution for them
h tot fong nd 1,tsar, 81.
noes. There was good deal of politics
IN the proposition, and lively debate
resulted
Mr.. Villas, DEM, of Wisconsin, made
an explanation of the points at issue. He
said that the proposition was a very
simple one. 1t was mere provision
mat the postmaster who should be pay
able out OF the appropriation for the post
masters salaries, might be paid out of
the appropriations for clerks when the
Offices Of such postmasters were. discon-
unued and Incorporated with some other
Office.
Mr.. Villas said the advantages of the
postal consolidation system were so OBJ
ylous that no opposition would have been
maze to it had not the senator from
Maryland (Mr. Gorman) 'uncorked the
9ottie and let out the genius of opposi-
uon TO civil service reform.
And he added, civil service advance
ment in this country owes its success to
me man now at the head of this govern
ment Without his firm steady, unfiinch-
ing and honest devotion to 1t, there would
nave been. in my judgment, for long
period of time, no great and substantial
gain in the development of the cause of
evil service reform"
Mr.. Allen, pop, Of Nebraska, challeng-
ed Mr.. Villas to point out any benefits de-
rived from civil service reform.
IF nothing else had been gained" Mr..
Villas replied, than the decency and
cleanliness of political conduct on a
GAange of administration, that would
have been enough to make civil service
reform great triumph. That Is, how
eyer, but single circumstance of gain.
The relief that has been afforded to SEN
ators and representative is, of itself
second item of great consequence. No
one would propose the repeal of that be-
aetcent system"
MIR Allen said that he had listened to
The senator from Wisconsin in the hope
mat he would point out something that
Aa1 been accomplished under so-called
CiEil service reform; but the senator had
Ohly delivered a Fourth of July GRAFTON
On the beauties, if not the holiness, of
.Fll service reform, without ever under
taxing to point out an instance in which
mad bettered the public service. He went
ua 70 point out the absurdities of many
~ the questions that might be put to
poSlofice applicants by the civil service
tAamlners; and he asked what earthly
osaring such questions had on the fitness
u somebody to run a little fourth-class
lyS-uhlce in a village fifteen or twenty
1o,iies from a large town. The rank ard
~ OF the people. many OF whom had
u9Ae service for the country IN its hour
peru, were TO be set aside, ignored and
itdcucally d!sfranchised by the adoption
'uch silly and nonsensical rules and
E mat means the people were to be
NIiated from their own postoffice.
~ the course of a cOllOquy between
.ators Allen. Hoar, rep, Of Massachu-
r Us and Villas, dem, OF Wisconsin, on
inject Of civil service. Mr.. Hear re-
Iro p Theodore Roosevelt as having
r, lold, courageous. intelligent and
- e'ncicnt administrator OF the civil
wee law. ZINC three Nghn deserved