The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-24
AIN UNEXPECTED DEBATE ON THE
SUBJECT PRECIPITATED IN
THE SENATE.
CHARACTERIZED AS A FRAUD.
HOAR AND LODGE THE ONLY RE
PUBLICANS TO DEFEND THE
SYSTEM.
CAUsTIC TALK FROM MIR. TURPIE.
Proposition to Elect Senator's by
Direct Vote Plainly Handled by
the Indiana Member.

WASHINGTON, March 23.-The sem
ate was Unexpectedly precipitated into
a civil service debate today. 1t pro-
ceeded for two hours, the civil service
act and the commission being under
fire most of the time. The debate as
sumed added significance, owing to the
recent change of administration and
the attendant demand for offices. Mr..
German, of Maryland, called attention
to the presence in Washington of the
horde of hungry place hunters, and ex-
pressed profound sympathy with his
Republican associates over the restric-
lions of the civil service system.
The discussion came up on a resolu-
ton to investigate federal removals
at South Omaha, Neb. Mr.. Gallinger
(Rep., N. H., characterized the civil
service system as a humbug and de-
clared he would be glad to cast his vote
to blot out the system. There was con-
tinued applause in the galleries at this
statement. Mr.. Allen Pop., Neb.).
called the civil service act a "monu-
mental humbug" and Mr. Wilson (Rep.,
Wash) said it was "humbug, a de-
fusion, a snare and a fraud"
Mr.. Hawley Comm, while defending
the principle Of civil service, said it's
practice had been attended with glar-
ing incompetency. Mr.. Stewart CNev.)
regarded the civil service commission
as an office brokerage establishment"
The Massachusetts senators, Messrs
HOar and Lodge, defended the law. The
resolution directing the civil service
committee to investigate the South
Omaha, Neb., removals was broadened
by an amendment instructing the COM
mittee to inquire into the general oper-
alton Of the law and to report whether
it should be continued, amended or re-
peaIed
During the day Mr.. Berry ark
received a telegram stating that fifty
Mississippi river flood sufferers had
landed at Helena, Ark. He secured the
adoption of joint resolution for the
purchase Of 1000 tents for the use Of
the sufferers.
Mr.. Turpie Qnd) spoke at consider
able length in advocacy of the election
of United States Senators by popular
vote, detailing the uncertainties and
frequent scandals attending the pres
ent method of choosing senators.
TURPIE'S TALK.
After reviewing the historical points.
Mr.. Turpie spoke directly upon the
subject of the three cases now pending
IN the senate. He said:
There is certainly very clear incongruity
between legislative duties and the office Of
choosing senators of the United States. This
disagreement has become greater as the coun-
try has grown older. 1t is now not uncommon
that the legislature Of a state spends the
Hnln e Ofr@v
eject a United States senator, and adjourns
without succeeding in the attempt. This re-
suits in the total neglect, by the members of
the general assembly, of the functions as law
givers of the state. Thus the rights and in
terests local to the people of the state are sub
merged, overwhelmed, and forgotten in the
struggle over the senatorial elections. Be
sides this, the condition of political parties
becomes sometimes so evenly balanced that
a very small number-two or three members
of the legislature, belonging to some middle
or third party in q small minority among the
peoples able to determine the choice Of
senator, or to prevent one being made. The
inability to elect by the legislative body is
becoming more and more frequent. It is not
a physical disability; 1t is rather a political
or functional inability, induced by the too
close equilibrium or dissenting forces, unable
to unite upon choice.
1t is true, as has already been noted that
the federal constitution provides that no state
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in
the senate, but the fact Is that under the
tors by the legislatures, many of the states
have been, from time to time, deprived Of
their equal suffrage in the senate. Washing
ton, wyoming, Montana and Delaware until
a quite recent date were so situated and at
this very time the states Of Oregon and Ken
lucky are deprived of their equal representa-
ton in the senate by reason of the inability
of the legislature to elect All these evils
will disappear by this change in the method
of electing senator's.
Mr.. Turpie then spoke of the usur-
n fINU0 of NV
Huence they eXerted over state legisla-
lures. He continued:
This syndicate of the trusts in its action
bears no relation to the actual business car
rled on by any of its incorporated members,
such as transportation manufactures. Its
aim IS political supremacy by direct con-
troll of the ballot among it's very numerous
employees and agents. This is an instance Of
despotism odious and offensive, so contrary
TO the Unborn freedom of manhood in such
deadly hostility to liberty and Justice as
could only have been invented and enforced
by the shameless inSolence and audacty of the
syndicate of trusts.
The plotters in this tyranny of trusts have
not tried to avail themselves Of the terms
of public law; they have not even a pretense
of authority. They skulk behind secret orders
of the company and hide among the shadows
of the Incorporated waiths and ghosts, who,
unseen and unknown, conduct this insidious
raid against the franchise.
The legislative caucus, he declared, was
peculiarly adapted to the control Of trusts
Jndt
this amendment was in accordance with the
great precedent of progress and advancement
set forth in the preamble of the constitution
Mr.. Turpie closed at $40 p. m. and
the senate went into executive session.
The open session was resumed at 3:20
and the bill was passed to establish the
official survey of certain lands in Neb-
raska west of the Niobrara river.
On motion of Mr.. Hoar, the bankruptcy
bill, which was reported favorably, was
made the unfinished business. thus
| giving it right of way after p. M.
daily.
A resolution by Mr. Chandler was
agreed to, calling on the secretary of
state for information as to the amounts
paid to aliens as indemnity for personal
injury from mobs, and whether efforts
had been made to secure reimburse
ment from the states where the mob
| violence occurred.
Mr.. Pettigrew called up the bill to
amend the act repeating the timber
| culture laws. When some opposition
was manifested, Mr.. Pettigrew said:
! This bill passed the senate and house
! at the last session but it failed to re-
| ceive the presidents signature as he
was too busy fishing" The bill then
| passed. AT 3:45 p. m. the senate adj
| journed.