The San Francisco call., 1897-03-24
SENATORS ON CIVIL sERv1cE.
Humorous Instnnces itrd to ShoU thu
Lasc's Defscts.

Humorous Instnmces ited to Shosc tho
Lasc's Def-cts.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 23.-The
Senate INDUCED to-day in an almost one
sided denunciation OF the civil service law
and its administration. The matter came
up in the shape of resolution offered by
Allen (Pop.) of Nebraska directing the
Committee ON Civil Service to inquire
into the dismissal of some half-dozen en-
ployes Of the Bureau of Animal Industry
in South Omaha, Nebr. His assertion
was that the dismissais were for political
reasons.
Galllnger (R.) of New Hampshire did
not favor the proposed investigation be-
cause it would bring out so many hum
dred other like grievances, aud Hoar R.)
of Massachusetts, objected to it on the
same grounds, saying that such q hercu-
lean task should not be thrown on any
committee at this special session.
The civil service law, as administered,
was characterized by GalIinger IS ''monu-
mental humbug." He favored blotting
ou. the law and returning to condition
of things that would give to every man
and woman an equal right to hold Office
with every other man and woman"
Various instances OF civil service<ex-
aminations were furnished by Senators,
Gailinger mentioning the requirement of
compositors in the Government Printing
Office that they should hop twelve times
on one foot.
Wilson (R.) of Washington said that
civil service examinations had been
ordered in his State Tor q cook in the
penitentiarv and q sawyer on sn Indian
reservation, and even Hawley (R!1 of Con-
necticut, who had been member OF the
House which reported the law originally,
admitted that the commission had fallen
into q state of conspicuous incompe-
tency," giving as an illustration the fact
that when army engineer officer in
charge OF public work on Long Island
Sound had selected competent inspector
In the person of steamboat captain who
knew every rock and sand bar in the
neighborhood the commission selected q
''schoolmaster from Rhode Island"
The only Senator who defended the law
and its administration was Lodge (R. Of
Massachusetts.
The upshot of it all was that Aliens
motion was agreed to without division,
but amended so as.to instruct the Com
mission on Civil Service and Retrenchment
TO inquire and report whether the civil
service law should be continued, amended
or repealed.
The following bills were passed by the
Senate: Directing the Secretary of War to
supply 1000 tents to shelter and relieve
the sufferers from the food in the M,ssis-
sippi River Valley; to establish the off,
ciaI survey of fractional townships in
Nebraska; to amend the act repeating the
tim ber culture laws.
The latter bill was explained by Petit
grew (Silver) Of South Dakota to be the
same as was passed by both houses last
session; but which the President had been
"too busy fishing" to sign.
The Torrey bankruptcy bill. modified,
was reached, and was on motion of
Hoar made, the unfinished business--not
to be called up Immediately, however.
A constitutional amendment to make
the 30th OF April inauguration day was
intrOduce by Hoar.
Turpie o.. of Indiana made an argu-
ment in favor of constitutional amend
ment to make United States Senators
elective by popular vote instead OF by
State Legislatures
At 3:45 P. N. the Senate adjourned until
tomorrow.