The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-16
House Proceedings.

Washington, Dec. 14.--In the house to-
day, on motion of Mr.. Lawrence of Mas
sachusetts, January S was set aside for
paying tribute to the late Representa-
tive Wright, his predecessor. Then,
without further preliminary business, the
house went into committee of the whole
aud =; occcdcd to the consideration Of the
legislative, executive and judicial appro-
pIlalIun oil.
Mr.. Bingham (rep.) of Pennsylvania,
in charge of the measure, explained It's
provisions in detail.
Mr. Bingham said he would offer an
amendment to reduce the clerical force
in the pension office by ninety-siy clerks,
involving Il reduction Of $115OOO in sal
aries.
Mr.. Bingham did not discuss the ap-
! preparation providing for the maintenance
of the civil service commission, but
stated that the widest latitude would
| be allowed for debate, even if it should
| run over the holiday recess. He asked,
| however. that the provision of the bill
! relating to the civil service and the de-
! bate thereon should go over until after
| the consideration of the other features
! Of the bill were concluded.
| Mr.. Grosvenor (repl OF Ohio; under
1
service law is being made, expressed the
oninion that the bill should not be pressed
| 20 4 final vote until after the holidays.
Mr. Bingham's request was agreed TO-
and az hour and half was set aside fol
general debate on the rest of the bill.
Mr.. Barrett (rep) of Massachuseti.
took the floor and made some genera
remarks in support of the civil service
law, in the course of which he referred
to the slender minority against the civil
service law when it passed the house IL
1883 The vote stood 155 TO AZ.
Messrs. Cannon (rep.) of Illinois ant
Bingham (rep.) of Pennsylvania rcitera
ted their opposition to the broad eXtcn
sion of the law by executive orders
The latter explained that the law wa;
passed under suspension of the rules
practically without debate and never
contemplated an extension by executive
o,ders that would cover 81 ,0OG nmploye.
Of the government.
Mr.. Moody (rep.) of Massachusetts sait
he was willing to give hearing on Tho
civil service question and he did not pro
nose to give a Judgment in advance.
Mr.. Grosvenor said all he asked was
that the house should honestly consider
the question and give its Judgment.
"The craftsmanship that does not dt
lis own thinking" said he, "the states
maEShlp that only respects Wnat Otner'
say, is the craftsmanship the parrot dis
plays in the course of his morning ablu
tions." Naughterl
Mr.. Dockery (dem) Of Missouri dis
cussed the amazing growth of the ex
pcnditures of the government during the
recent years. The ordinary expenses ot
the government exclusive of the publ,
debt. the last eight years exceeded those
of the preceding years by 81 OOO,OOO,O0t
in round numbers.
In view of this fact. there were only
two ways. he said. to bring the receiDrs
and expenses together. Either taxation
must be increased or the expenses mus
be curtai!ed. If the expenses were I,
be reduced. congress alone could not ac
complish much without the aid of the eX
ecutivc branch of the government. De
spite the presidents appeal in his mes
sage for economy. the executive branches
of the government had submitted 10 con
gress estimates for appropriations ot
$21 100000 in excess of the appropria
tions of the current year.
At this point the house adjourned out
of sympathy for President McK;nley's
aff1iction in the loss of his mother.
II was / :45 when the house adjcurnet
until tomorrow.