Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-24
SENATE AND HOUSE.
REPUBLICAN DENUNCiATIoN OF
THE CIvIL-sERvICE LAW.
The TARIFF BILL DEBATE.
According TO Mr.. Dockery, 1t Has
Thus Far Been Tame and Unin-
for the Legislators.

WASHINGTON. March 23.-The Senate
INDUCED to-day I'm an almost one-sided
denunciation Of tho civil-servlce law and
it's administration. The matter came up
I'm the shape OF resolution. offered by
Mr.. Allen. directing the Committee on
Civil Service TO inquire into the dis
missal Of some half dozen employees
(microscopists) OF the Bureau Of Animal
Industry, in South Omaha, Neb.
His assertion was that the dismissals
were for political reasons.
Mr.. Galllnger did not favor the pro-
posed investigation, because it would
bring out so many hundred other like
grievances. and Mr.. Hoar objected TO
IL on the same ground. saying that such
n herculean task should not be thrown
on any committee at this special ses-
sion. The civil-service law, as admins
tered. was characterized by Mr.. CALM
ger as "a monumental humbug." He
favored blotting out the law, and re-
turning to a condition Of things that
would give to every man and woman
an equal right 10 hold office with every
other man and woman"
This declaration Of principle was ap-
plauded by the galleries, and the gale
ries were appropriately lectured by the
Vice-President on that breach Of pro-
priety. Various instances Of absurdity
I'm civil-servce examinations were fur
nished by senators-Mr. Gallinger men,
tioning the requirement Of would-be
compositors I'm the government printing
Office that they should hop twelve times
on one foot. Mr.. Wilson saying that civil
service examinations had been ordered
in his State for a cook in the peniten-
tiary, and sawyer on an Indian re-
servation; and even Mr.. Hawley, who
had been q member OF the House Com
mittee. which reported the law original
~. admitting that the law had fallen
into a state OF Conspicuous incompe-
tency," and giving as an Illustration the
fact that when an army engineer Off
Ger. in charge Of a public work on Long
Island Sound. had selected "A competent
inspector, in the person Of steamboat
captain who knew every rock and sand
bar in the neighborhood. the commits
sion sent to him "a schoolmaster from
Rhode Island"
ONE LONE DEFENDER.
The only senator who defended the
law and its administration was Mr..
Lodge. The upshot OF it all was that
Mr.. Aliens motion was agreed TO, without
a division. but amended so as to instruct
the Committee on Civil-Service and Re
trenchment 10 inquire and report whether
the civil-service law should be continued,
amended, or repealed.
Mr.. Turpie OemocraO, Of Indiana,
made an argument in favor Of consti-
tutional amendment TO make United
States senators elective by popular vote.
instead of by State legislatures. lie
summed UP his argument in these words:
"The pending amendment is in strict
accordance with the great precedent OF
progress and advance, as set forth IN
the preamble to the Constitution. Our
purpose is 10 form a more perfect United
States by bringing the National Legisla-
ture i'm complete accordance with the
legislative assemblies Of the States; 10
establish justice. by granting TO the
voters OF the States that equality Of suf-
frage which the present system denies;
TO perpetuate the blessings of liberty TO
ourselves and our posterity by a further
and nobler recognition of the duties and
rights inherent in all citizens, so that the
supremacy Of the people, never gainsaid,
with lips confessed, and with the tongue
dSSeTLCu anu maintained eldll a. lfioN
be and become a vital force. a living
presence, a fact accomplished in the gov
eminent of the republic. This viii give
to our past its full merit; 10 the future,
hope yet more Astounding. For the pres
ent, it would place a fiXed star in the
galaxy of progress, visible I'm all the
ATTITUDES Of liberty throughout the
world"
At the close of Mr.. Turpes remarks
the Senate went into executive session.
After short time the doors were re-
opened, and legislative business was re-
sumed. These three bills were passed by
the Senate:
Directing the Secretary Of War 10 sup
ply a thousand tents 10 shelter and re-
lieve the sufferers from the flood in the
Mississippi river
To establish the official survey Of frac-
tional townships in Nebraska.
TO amend the act repeating the timber
culture laws.
The last-named bill was explained by
Mr.. PettgreW 10 be the same as that
which was passed by both houses last
session, but which the President has
been too busy 20 sign"
The Torrey bankruptcy bill (modified) |
was reported, and was. on motion of Mr.. |
Hoar made the unfinished business, not |
to be called up Immediately. however.
4 House amendment TO make the Goth /
of April Internationally was intro |
duced by Mr.. Hoar.
At $3.50 o'clock the Senate adjourned |
until tomorrow.