The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-17

Xun-E9L1n8teS d departments 80 OVO
o Greater Than Current A%ppropria-
tions-Both Houses Adjourn In Respect
to Memory of Mrs. Mckinley
SENATE.
Washington, December 14.-The SEN
ate was in session just fifteen minutes
today, adjournment being takenruntil
tomorrow out of respect to President
Mckinley who is today in attendance
upon the funeral of his mother. The
motion to adjourn was made by Sen
ator Hoar. "All senator's" said he,
"are aware of the great calamity that
has overtaken the chief magistrate OF
the nation. He is today in attendance
upon the funeral of his mother. Out
of respect to him and as an expression
of our sympathy for him in his affiic-
tion, / move that the senate do now
adjourn"
No business beyond the introduction
of bills and resolutions was transacted.
Among the bills introduced was one
by Senator Klye, of South Dakota, to
change the immigration laws of the
United States. He ave notice that at
the proper time he would offer the bill
as a substitute for that which is now
ndin before n senate.
tn only one feature" said Senator
Kyle.s "does my bill differ materially
from the measure now before the SEN
ate. My bill provides that all immi-
grants shall have their test of educa-
tion made by the Uuited States consuls
at the points nearest to their homes.
1t is a serious hardship for these people
to cross the ocean with the prospect
staring them in the face of failing in
the test at the port of a foreign u
try"
AT 2:15 D. m, the senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The house today after a session OF
about two hours, adjourned out or
sympathy for the president, whose
mother was buried at Canton this af-
ternoon. The time of the session was
devoted to the consideration Of the leg
dslative, executive and judicial appro-
i. priatiOn bill.
Mr.. Bingham, republican, of Pennsyl-
wanna, in charge Of the measure, ex-
blaine it's provisions in detail. He
said he would offer an amendment to
reduce the clerical force in the pension
office by Sc clerks, involving a reduction
of s115, 900 in salaries. This reduction
did not appear in the bill as reported
and must be reckOned in the new
totals.
Mr.. Bingham said that he n his
colleagues on the appropriations COM
mite felt satisfied that a reduction or
from 81, 1000, 900 to 81, 500, 900 could be
made in the salaries of subordinate Of
Ulcers by a process OF wedding, With
out in any way impairing the govern
ment service, and, therefore, every sug-
gestion from heads of departments for
increase of ~alaries had been rejected.
He called attention to the provision OF
the bill curtailing the sick leave allowed
clerks which had been greatly abused.
Investigation had shown that in addl-
ton to the regular thirty day leave, 16
per cent. of the clerks obtained each
year thirty day sick leaves.
Mr.. Bingham did not discuss the ap-
preparations providing fer the MAIN
a of the civil service commission,
but stated that the widest latitude
would be allowed for debate, even if 1t
should run over the holiday recess.
He asked, however, that the provisions
of the bill relating to the civil service
and the debate thereon should go over
until after the consideration of the
other features of the bill were con-
cluded.
His request was agreed and an
hour and a half was set aside for gen.
eral debate on the rest Of the bill.
Mr.. Barrett, republican, of Massachu-
sets, took the floor and made some
general remarks in support of the civil
service law in THE course of which he
referred to the slende minority against
the civil service law when it was
passed the house in 1888. The vote
stood 15 to Az. But three of that mi
nority The said, We're now members of
the house-Messrs. Bland, democrat, OF
Missouri; Mcmillan, democrat, of Ten
nessee, and Steele, republican, Of In
diana. This statement flushed a series
of explanations that gave the anti
civil service members repeated oppor-
tunities to applaud. First Mr.. Steele
said he lac never had occasion to apol-
ogize for that vote. Then Mr.. Brumm,
republican, Of Pennsylvania. called at
tention to the fact that his name as one
of those who voted against the measure
had been overlooked. He was proud,
he said, to be included in the roll Of
honor" Mr.. Marsh, republican, OF
Illinois, also claimed a place in the list
and added that he had never cast a
vote with which he was better satisfied.
Then Messrs. Cannon, republican, of
Illinois and Bingham reiterated their
opposition to the broad extension of the
law by executive orders. The latter ex-
planned that the law was passed under
suspension of the rules, practically
without debate and contemplated
an extension by executive orders that
would cover 1000 government en-
ployees. There was much applause and
laughter during this series OF state
ments and Mr.. Dockery, democrat, OF
Missouri. suggested that the members
of the other side to save time, have
leave to file apologies for voting for
the law.
Mr.. Moody, republican. of Massachu-
setts,- said he was willing to give a
nearing on the civil service question
and he did no propose to give a judg-
ment in advance.
Mr.. Grosvenor commended this state
ment. All he asked was that the house
should honestly consider the question
and give it's careful Judgment.
Mr.. Dockery, democrat, of Illinois.
) discussed the amazing growth Of the
expenditures of the government during
the recent years. The ordinary ex-
penses of the government, exclusive Of