Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-15
Federal ASSEMBLY.
HOUSE PREMATURELY DISCUSSES
THE CrvrL-sERyrcE LAW.
THE GROWTH OF EXPENDITURES.
This Important Matter brought to
the Front by Mr. Dockery, of Mis-
souri-Adjournmcnfs Out of Re-
spect for the President.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. December H.
two hours, and adjourned out OF sympathy
for President Mckinley, whose mother
was buried at Canton this afternoon.
The time of the session was devoted 10 tho
consideration Of the legislative, executive,
and judicial appropriation bill 1t was
decided to postpone consideration of the
item providing for the maintenance Of
the Ciyil-Service Commission until that
Of the other items of the bill had been
concluded. 1t was apparent, from re-
marks heard to-day, that the entire sub
ject will be exhaustively debated. There
is seemingly no disposition to curtail the
debate and 1t will not be concluded be-
fore the holiday recess. So absorbing Is
the topic, that almost the entire time
to-day, despite the fact that the conside-
ration of the question had been techni-
cally postponed. was consumed in de-
bate upon 1t.
Mr. Bingham Republican,, Of Pennsyl-
yania, In charge Of the measure. ex-
planned its provisions in detail. Mr..
Bingham said he would offer an amend
ment to reduce the clerical force in the
Pension office by ninety-six clerks, In
volving a reduction of $4,000 I'm salaries.
This reduction did not appear In the bill
as reported, and must be reckoned on in
the new item.
Mr.. Bingham said that his colleagues
on the Appropriations Committee thought
Ca. 90
coo could be made in the salaries Of subor-
dinate officials by process Of wedding
out, without in any way impairing the
government service. He called attention
TO the provision Of the bilk curtailing the
sck-leaye allowed clerks. which had been
greatly abused. Investigation had shown
that in addition TO the regular 3O-day
leave 16 per cent. Of the clerks obtained
each year forty days sick leave.
Mr. Bingham did not discuss the appro-
priations providing for the maintenance
of the Civil-Service Commission, but
stated that the widest latitude would be
allowed for debate, even II it should run
over the holiday recess He asIed, now
ever, that the provision of the bill re-
lating to the Civil-Service Commission
and the debate thereon should go over I'M
I'll after the consideration OF the other
request was agreed TO, and an hour and
half was set aside for general debate
on the rest Of the bill.
THE CIvIL-SERvICE LAW.
Mr.. Barrett Republican,, of Massachu-
sets, took the floor and made some gene
raj remarks In support Of the ciyil-ser-
vice law, In the course of which he re-
ferred to the slender minority against
,g,tfl- "a w saCSp1
House In 1888. The vote stood l55 TO AZ.
Three OF that minority, he said, were now
members of the House-Messrs. Bland
| DemocraO, of Missouri; McMillin Demo
craD, of Tennessee, and Steele CRepub-
| lican). Of Indiana. This statement flushed
q series of explanations that gave the
| anti-civil-service members repeated OPP
portunities to applaud First Mr.. Steele
| arose and said he had never had occa-
| sion to apologize for that vote. Then MT.
| Brumm Republcan), Of Pennsylvania,
| called attention 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 place in the
! list. and added that he had never cast a
vote with which he was better satisfied.
Then Messrs. Cannon (Republican), or
| Illinois. and Bingham reiterated their
opposition to the broad extension OF the
| law by executive orders. The latter ex-
pIained that the law was passed under
suspension of the rules, practically With
| out debate, and never contemplated an
extension by executive orders that would
cover 100000 government employees. There
| was much laughter at this statement
and MIR. Dockery DemocraD suggested
that the members of the other side, to
save time should have leave to file their
| apologies for voting for the law
| Mr. Moody Republican), OF Massachu-
setts. said he was willing to give hear.
| ing on tie civil service question. and he
| did not propose to give judgment In
| advance.
| Mr. Grosvenor commended this state
ment. All he asked was that the House
| should honestly consider the question
| and give 1t careful judgment.
| GROWTH OF EXPENDITURES.
| Mr. Dockery DemocraD, Of Missouri
| discussed the amazing growth Of the ex'
| penditures of the government during the
| recent years. The ordinary expenses OF
| the government, exclusive OF the public
debt, in the last eight years, exceeded
| those OF the preceding eight years by
| 81 900, 600 900. in round numbers. in view
| OF this fact, there were only two ways
he said, to bring the receipts and ex-
penses together. Either taxation must b,
| increased, or the expenses must be cur
tailed.
III the expenses were to be reduced
| Congress alone could not accomplish
much without the aid of the Executiv,
branch of the government. Despite tn,
Presidents appeal In his message FOL
| economv the Executive branch of IN,
government had submitted TO Congress:
estimates for appropriations OF s27.O00,O o'
In excess OF the appropriations for th'
current year.
At this point the committee rose. anC
Mr.. Grosvenor Republican). OF Ohio, ad
dressing the Chair, said: Mr.. Speaker
| AS is well known. the funeral exercises
OF the mother OF the Chief Magistrate
| OF the nation are to take place at thii
hour, and. therefore, conforming TO thu
action OF the Senate, and as a token O
our sympathy and respect for the PresI
dent, l move that the House do now ad
iourn."
The motion was unanimously carried
and at 1:i5 the House adjourned until to
morrow.
senate Session short.
The Senate was In session just fifteer
minutes to-day, an adjournment then be
ing taken until tomorrow, out OF re-
spect to President Mckinley, who wal
to-day In attendance upon the funera
or his mother. The motion to adjourn
was made by Mr.. Hoar, Of Massachu
sets. "All senator's" said he. ''are awar,
OF the great calamity that has overtaker
the Chief Magistrate OF the nation. III,
| IL fn-dav I'm aftendanca unon the fnnera