The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-11
WANT SPOILS BAD
BUT REPUBLICANS LAX THE
COuRAGEOF CONVICTION.
Looking to Mckinley TO Violate His
Sacred pIedges--Congress viii be
in Session Until August.

Washington, d. c., May 10.-(Special,
The civil service law continues to wor-
ry the Republicans. They are unable to
find any loop-hole by which they can take
care of the boys on the outside The
investigation now being conducted by Il
special committee of the Senate, of which
Senator pritchard is chairman, has thus
far failed to find anything that dis
credits the law. 1t has been made mani
fest to the committee that cX-President
Cleveland acted within the law in extend
ing civil service to take in all positions
that are not appointed by the President.
There is no doubt but that pronounced
sentiment prevails in both Houses of
Congress against the law and if the op-
ponents of the reform had the courage of
their conviction they would unhesitating-
ly repeal the law. But Congressman are
like other individuals, and dread to fly
in the face of public sentiment There is
n strong probability that Congress will
amend the civil service law, but not af-
ter the fashion to suit the spoismen. The
Senate committee referred to above have
gone far enough in their investigation to
demonstrate that unless some modifca-
ton is made in the existing law, Con
gress will soon be called upon to provide
for a civil pension list. OF course a
civil pension list would be out of place in
Democratic country like ours, but new
ertheless, a number of Congressman ia
vor such a scheme. The contemplated
amendment to such a law is to the effect
that no one shall hold office for more
than six years at time, and at the ex-
plration of the six yeaS, the employe
may be eligible to reappointment at the
discretion Of the powers that be. 1t is
believed that the adoption of such an
amendment would effectually kill 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
service. President Mckinley, I am told.
is seriously considering the ACCESSIBILITY
OF amending the present rules of the
civil Service Commission, which he can
DO under existing law, and provide for
the reinstatement of any one who has
held any position in the government.
without competitive examination. In
other words. he will place all ex-office
holders on the same footing with the old
soldiers. This would in no wise help the
fellow who had never been government
employe. but it would be warmly welcom-
ed by the boys who held good positions
under the Harrison administration. They
could all go back to their old berths and
the Democrats appointed by Mr.. Cleve-
land would have to walk the plank. Just
when President Mckinley will make this
change l am unable to say, but it is not
likely to occur before the passage of the
Dingley-Jones tariff BILL
The present indications are the tariff
bill will not be ready for conference I'M
til the latter part of July. This will take
the extra session well up into August
before adjournment. Chairman Dingley
can ill conceal his displeasure over the
Senate amendments. The twelve hun
dred and odd amendments made by the
Senate Finance committee, cannot be
contrived otherwise than a severe re-
Election on the competency of the Repub.
lican majority Of the Ways and Means
committee to frame tariff bill, the OBJ
Ject of which was to raise sufficient
revenue and at the same time protect the
trusts and greedy corporations. Instead
of the Dingley bill, it will be known in
history as the Dingley-Jones bill. This
latter fact almost causes the chairman
of the Ways and Means committee to
shed tears. The idea of Dingley being
linked to a name like Jones.