The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-24
RFoLK vIRGINIAN WEDNESDAY MARCH "a, 1897. 4:
CIVIL SERVICE ABsURDrTuEs.

CIVIL SERVICE ABSURDrTIES.
This declaration OF principle was np-
plauded by the galleries, and the gal
lerles were appropriately lectured by the
Fice-President on the breach of pro-
priety. Various instances of abSurdity
IN civil service examinations were fur
nlShed by Senators, Mr.. Gallinger men,
tlonlnE the requirement OF would-be
compositols in the Government printing
oilice that they should hop twelve times
on one foot. Mr. Wilson saying that
civil sef'raiie had been or
dered in his State for a cook in the peni-
tertiary and a sawyer on an Indian re-
servation, and even MIR. Hawley, who
had been 8. member Of the House COM
1nittee which reported the law originally,
admitting that the law had fallen into
q state Of conspicuous incompetency,
and giving as an illustration the fact
that when an amy engineer officer in
charge Of q public work on Long Island
Sound had selected q competent inspec-
tor in the person Of steamboat captain,
WHO knew every rock and sand bar in
the neighborhood, the commission sent
to him "a school master from Rhode Is
land" The only Senator who defended
the law and its administration was Mr..
Lodge. .H
The upshot OF it. all was that Mr..
Aliens motion was agreed to without
division, but amended so as to instruct
the Committee on Civil Service and Re
tenchmert to inquire and report wheth-
er the civil service law should be con-
tinued, amended. or repealed.
SENATORS BY POPULAR VOTE. .
CIR. Turpie CDem.), Of Indiana, made
an argument in favor of q constitutional
amendment to make United States Sena-
tors elective by popular vote instead of
by State Legislatures.
He summed up his argument in these
words:
The pending amendment is IN strict
accordance with the great precedent OF
progress and advancement set forth in
'the preamble to the resolution. Our
purpose is to form more perfect Union
by bringing the national legislature in
complete accordance with the legislative
assemblies OF the States; to establish
Justice by granting to the voters of the
States that equality or suffrage which
the present system denies; to perpetuate
the blessings Of liberty to ourselves and
our posteity by q further and nobler
recognition Of duties and rights inherent
In all citizens, so that the supremacy Of
the people, never gainsaid, SO often
with lips confessed. with the tongue as
serted and maintained, shall at last be
and become a vital force, q living pre-
sence. a fact accepted in the Govern
ment Of the republic. This will give to
the past it's full meaning, to the future
IiSPc SSst !iloic 1OT Cnc pres
ent 1t would place q fixed star in the gall
aNy Of progress visible in all the lati-
tudes OF liberty throughout the world.
AT the close of Mr.. Turpie's remarks
the Senate went into executive session.
After q short time the doors were re-
opened and legislative business was re
sumed.
BILLS PASSED.
These bills were passed by the Senate
Directing the Secretary Of War to
supply q thousand tents ito shelter and
relieve the sufferers from the flood in the
Mississippi river.
TO establish the official survey Of
fractional townships In Nebraska.
To amend the act repeating the tim
Der culture laws
The latter bill was held by Mr. Pet
tigreW to he the same as was passed by
both Houses last session, but the
President had been too busy fishing TO
sign"
The Terry bankruptcy bill (modified)
was presented and was, on motion of
Mr.. Hoar, made the unfinished business,
not to be called up Immediately, how
ever.
a constitutional amendment TO make
the 30th Of April Inauguration day was
presented by Mr.. EIoar.
At $40 p. m. the Senate adjourned un-
til Tomorrow.