The record-union., 1897-12-16

diate aides as soon as practicable The
measure, he desired it understood, was
purely preliminary in character, and
made no provisions for the great work
of the census which would be provided
for in another measure to be presented
later.
I'll VOTE said Chandler, "to apply
the civil service system to the clerical
force of the Government, but 1 think
that the system has been unwarrant-
ably extended and made to include per-
sons who are not justly entitled to its
protection"
Carter closed the debate by announc-
ing that he would press the measure to
vote as soon after the holiday re-
cess as possible.
The Senate then, on motion of Quay
of Pennsylvania, went into executive
session, and a few minutes afterward,
at 4:3o p. m, adjourned
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The House
spent the day in the consideration of
the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill, and eighty-nine of
the IL pages of the bill were covered.
and only one amendment of Importance
was adopted. 1t reduced the clerical
force at the pension office ninety-five,
involving a reduction in salaries of
S11o,OOO. The civil service question,
as on yesterday, was the chief topic of
discussion to-day, and the proposition
OF Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Vanderlip to retire clerks for age was
made the text of a denunciation by
Moody of Massachusetts and Johnson
OF Indiana, both of whom are defend
ers of the civil service law.
AT the opening of the House to-day
resolution for the holiday recess from
saturday, December 18th, to Wednes-
day, January 9th. offered by Dingley,
from the Committee on Ways and
Means, was adopted.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole, and resumed the con-
sideratiOn Of the legislative. executive
and judicial bill
Livingston Cd of Georgia submitted
some general remarks in opposition to
the civil service law, which he de-
nounced as a humbug
Dearmond Cd of Missouri, under the
latitude allowed in debate on appropri-
alton bills, followed with an impassion-
ed speech reproaching the majority for
not voting upon the Cuban belligerency
resolution passed by the Senate at the
last session. His remarks were given
additional Importance, in view of the
action of the Democratic caucus last
night, declaring for an aggressive sup
port Of the recognition of Cuban bel
Hgerency.
a dor In tJ,a@ H.
in his belief that the American people,
without distinction of party, sympa-
thized with the Cuban cause The
triumph Of tyranny in Cuba, he said.
would prove menace to liberty the
world over, and, in conclusion, amid
round of applause, he appealed to the
majority to give the House an oppor-
tunity of voting on that question.
The debate then drifted back to the
civil service question, and Moody R)
of Massachusetts called attention to
what he termed the "extra ordinary
proposition" advocated by Assistant of
the Treasury Vanderlip, in an interview
published this morning. In that inter
view Moody said Mr.. Vanderlip pro-
posed to establish in the Treasury De-
partment what, in effect, would be a
civil pension list. AS one of those who
believed in the merit system, he
thought Congress ought to meet this
proposition at the Threshold.
''If this system, which we support,
Is to lead to the establishment of
civil pension list" said he, impressively,
then the people ought to wipe it out
Of existence" Great applause) "As
friend Of civil service reform, I say
its worst enemies are not those who are
fighting it openly, like General Gros-
venor. but men like the author of this
proposition, who sits in the Cabinet by
the side of President Mckinley" Gap
plause)
Johnson CR.) Of Indiana declared that
the last census conducted under the
spofls system was notoriously ineffi-
cient, and expressed his regret If this
important work was to be inefficiently
done. He also said he shared Moody's
Indignation over the proposition Of
Mr.. Vanderlip, and said it was par
ticularly unfortunate at this inoppor-
tune time. He thought Mr. Wander
lips superior, Secretary Gage, should
admonish him. His proposition vio-
lated the spirit and letter of the law.
Johnson was besieged with questions
from those clustered about him, but he
held his own, declaring that the Gov
ernment was not conducted for the pur-
pose of providing for men in their old
age. They should do, he said, as others
did, provide for a rainy day.
Quigg (R.) Of New York Pearson R).
Of North Carolina. and others became
involved in the debate.
Finally Bingham. in charge of the
bill, appealed to the House to let this
subject, which had been postponed un-
til after the rest of the bill was COM
pleted go over, and the debate SUBJ
sided
The bill was then read for amendment
under the five-minute rule
Wheeler D) of Alabama offered an
amendment providing that so long as
the gold standard is maintained in this
country the salaries of all officials shall
be scaled - per cent The amend
ment was ruled out on a point of order.
When the paragraph relating to the
pension office was reached Bingham
offered the amendment, of which he
gave notice at the opening of the de-
bate, to reduce the clerical force % per
cent, involving a reduction of salaries
aggregating $4,000.
Dockery said the reduction in the
pension force should be 800 instead of
% per cent. In his opinion, If the dead
wood were cleared out of the office.
the work of the bureau would actually
be expedited.
Todd ODD of Michigan moved an
amendment to the amendment. pro-
viding that reductions should be made
for the several political parties in pro-