The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-13
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

Washington. May 1o.--The civil service
law continues to worry the republicans.
ihey are unable to find any loop-h by
which they can take care OF the boys on
inc outside The investigation now being
| conducted by special committee Of the
| senate mas thus far failed to find anything
| 'hat discredits the law. II has been made
manifest 10 tho committee that ex-prcsi.
aent cleveland acted within the law In ex-
| tchding civil service to take in all positions
mat are not appointed by tho president
| ihere Is no doubt but that a pronounced
sentiment prevails L, both houses OF con-
gross against the law, and II the opponents
of the reform had the courage of their
convictions they would unhesitatingly re-
peal the law. But congressman are like
other individuals and dread to ny in the
race OF public sentiment There is a strong
pIopability that congress Will amend the
clVil service law. but not after the fashion
10 SUIT Inc spoilsmen. The senate commit
tee referred to above have gone far enough
III 'helf Investigations to demonstrate that
uhioss some modification is made in the
cNlStlns law congress will soon be called
upon to provide for a civil pension list OF
course civil pension list would he out OF
s,
nut nevertheless a number of congressman
favor such scheme. The contemplated
amendment to the present law Is TO the
ehect that no one shall hold office for moro
IMAM SIX years at a time and at the ex
piration Of the six years the employee may
De eiislbe to renppoinment at the discre
'lon OF the powers that be II is believed
that the adoption of such an amendment
would cfectually kin the civil pension law.
In view of the fact that congress will
not repeal the civil service law nor pass
an amendment which will exempt the
higher grades OF office from the civil serv-
ice. President Mckinley, am told. is
seriously considering the adysablity of
amending the present rules Of the civil
service commission. which he can do under
existing law and provide for the repstate-
inent of any ono who has held any posi-
ton In the government without "A cOmpetI
tive examination. In other words he will
place all ex Office holders on the same foot
ing with the old soldier This would in no
wise help the fellow who had never been a
government employc but It would be
warmly welcomed by the boys who held
good positions under the Harrison admins
tration They could all go back to their
old berths and the democrats appointed by
Mr. Cleveland would have to walk the
plank just when President Mckinley will
make thit change am unable to say, but
it Is not likely to occur before the passage
OF the Dingley Jones tariff bill
There is the best reason in the world for
believing that the democrats viii carry
the country next year. and unless the I'M
expected happens the house of represent
atives, by an overwhelming majority, will |
be democratic Should this prophecy be
verified, have no hesitanoy in saying that !
tho man who will succeed Thomas Bracket |
Reed as speaker will be no other than the |
brilliant young Texan, the now able leader
Of the minority, Hon. Joseph w. Bailey. |
have closely watched Mr. Bailey since his |
advent into congress six years ago and |
during my twelve years OF experience
around the capitol l must say that no man !
who ever graced the halls OF congress has
risen more rapidly in the estimation OF
all than the distinguished member from
tho Fifth Texas district. 1t has not been
sudden rise. but one OF gradual growth, |
based on a solid foundation. intellectually, |
he Is the peer Of any man in the house,
and when it comes to personal magnetism |
he possesses as much in my humble opin-
ion as the late James G. Blaine. Bailey is
row. who believes in rewarding his friends
and is not adverse to passing his enemies
by. Above all, he Is honest and sincere
While he has been criticised for acquiesc-
ing in the three days Adjournment pro-
gramme OF the republicans he has done SO,
not because he believes In republican poll
cies or anything that has republican flavor !
but because he believes the country was
better off when the republicans were not
legislatng. Time will show that the post
tion taken by Mr.. Bailey In this matter is
correct. and the republicans will soon dis
cover that they have been trapped by the
shrewd leader Of the minority. Mr.. Bailey
has already accomplished what he set ont
10 do and that Is 10 place the majority of
the house on the defensive. He rcminds
mo as a leader Of the late Samuel j. Ran
dali more than any other man In the house, |
and it will he admitted by every fair !
minded man that Randall knew how TO
lead
The present indications are the tariff hill
Will not be ready for conference until the
latter part of July This Will take the
extra session well I'M into August before !
Adjournment Chairman DinGloy can Ill /,
conceal his displeasure over the senate +
amendments. The Twelve hundred and odd
amendments made by the senate finance I
committee can moi he construed otherwise |
than a severe reflection on the competency !
OF tho republican majority of the ways and 4
means committee to frame tariff bill, /
The object OF which was TO raise sufficient |
revenue and at the same time protect the |
trusts and greedy corporations, Instead OF
the DinEloy bill II will he known in history |
as the Dinsley Jones bill This latter fact |
almost causes the chairman OF the ways |
and means committee 10 shed tears Tho |
idea of ningley being linked TO name |
like Jones OK
THE TEXAS PAPERS.