Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-14
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA.
STN


minutes today, adjournment being
taken until tomorrow out of respect t.
President Mckinley, who is to-day il
attendance upon the funeral of his
mother. No business beyond the in
PRODUCTION of bills and resolutions wa!
transacted.
Among the bills introduced was one
by Mr.. Kyle to change the immigration
laws of the United States. His bill
provides that all immigrants shall have
their test of education made by the
United States consuls at the points
nearest to their homes.
At 1915 p. m. the Senate adjourned
HOUSE.
In the House to-day on motion oil
Mr.. Lawrence, Saturday, January s.
was set aside for paying tribute to the
memory of the late Representative
Wright, his predecessor. Then with
out further preliminary business the
House went into committee of the
whole and proceeded to the considera-
ton of the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill.
Mr.. Bingham, in charge Of the no cas-
ure. explained its provisions in detail.
Mr.. Bingham said he would offer an
amendment to reduce the clerical force
in the pension Office by 90 clerks, in
volving reduction of $l15,0 900 in sal
aries. This reduction did not appear
in the bill as reported and must be
reckOned In the new totals.
MIR. Bingham said that he and his
colleagues on the appropriations con-
mittee felt satisfied that reduction oil
from 81, 100000 to $1,500,0OO could be
made in the salaries of subordinate Off
GERS by process of wedding without in
any way impairing the government ser
vice, and therefore every suggestion
from heads of departments for it,
crease of salaries had been rejected.
He called attention to the provision oil
the bill curtailing the sick sick leave
allowed clerks which had been greatly
abused. Investigation had shown that
in addition to the regular 80 days leave
16 per cent. of the clerks obtained each
year 80 days sick leave.
Mr.. Bingham did not discuss the ap-
preparations providing for the mainte
nance of the civil service commission
but stated that the widest latitude
would be allowed for debate, even if it
should run over the holiday recess. He
asked, however, that the provision of
the bill relating to civil service and the
debate thereon should 60 over until az
ter the consideration of the other fea-
lures of the bill were concluded.
Mr.. Grosvenor, under whose direc-
ton the fight on the civil service law
is being made, expressed the opinion
that the bill should not be pressed to a
final vote until after the holidays.
While he did not favor an attack on
the apps o ,, iation in this bill the country
was greatly interested III the subject
and he thought it could be discussed
with profit at this time.
MIR. Biugham's request was agreed to
and an hour and half was set aside for
general debate On the rest of the bill.
Mr.. Barrett took the floor and made
some general remarks in support of the
civil service law, in the course of which
he referred to the slender minority
against the civil service law when it
passed the House in 1883. The vote
stood 155-47. But three of that mi
norily, he said were now members OF the
House -Messrs. Bland, McMillin and
Steele. This statement flushed &c,
ries of explanations that gave the anti
civil service members repeated oppor-
tunities to applaud. First, MIR. Steele
arose and said be had never had occe-
sion to apologize for that vote. Then
Mr.. Brumm called attention to the fact
that his name as one OF those who voted
against the measure had been over
looked. He was proud, he said, to be
included in the "roll of honor
Mr.. Marsh also claimed a place in the
list and aGde1 that be had never cast q
vote with which be was better satisfied
Then Messrs. Cannon and Bingham
reiterated their opposition to the broad
extension of the law by executive
orders. The latter explained that the
law was passed under suspension of the
rules, practically without debate, and
never contemplated an extension by
executive OTuSIS tuuU Wouiu CONCi
81 900 government employees. There
was much applause and laughter dur
ing this series of statements and Mr.
Dockery suggested that the members
of the other side 10 save time have
leave to file their apologies for
voting for the law.
Mr.. Barrett, continuing, insisted that
the law was a republican measure
passed by republican votes and that
the party was irrevocab!y committed
to the policy of civil service reform
The republicans of Massachusetts, he
said, believed in leaving the law and
it's administration TO the republican
President in the White House.
The committee then rose and on
| motion of Nrr. Grosvenor as token o.
sympathy and respect for the President
| the House adjourned.
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