Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-24

{ OuG-A MOnumental dl1nlDuS, a
Fraud, a Delusion, Snare, and
Similar TeIms Applied to the
Scheme Senator Turpie, Of In
diana, SpOke at Length for the
Election of Senators by Direct
Vote of the People-Cited Many
Reasons why That Plan Would
be Advantageous.
Washington, March 29.-The Senate
was Unexpectedly precipitated into a
civil service debate to-day 1t pro-
ceeded for two hours, the civil service
act and the commission being under
fire most OF the time The debate as
sumed added significance owing to the
recent change of administration and
the attendant demand for Offices.
Mr.. German, of Maryland, alled at
tention to the presence in Washington
of the horde of hungry place hunters
and expressed profound sympathy with
his Republican associate over the re-
strictions of the civil service system.
The discussion came up on a resolu-
tion to investigate federal removals at
South Omaha, Neb.
Mr.. Galinger. of New Hampshire,
characterized the civil service system
as a humbug and declared he would be
glad to cast his vote 10 blot out the
system. There was continued ap-
plause in the galleries at this state
ment.
Mr.. Allen. OF Nebraska, called the
civil service act a monumental hum
bug" and Mr.. Wilson, (Rep., Wash.),
said it was a "humbug, delusion,
snare and a fraud
Mr.. Hawley, of Connecticut. while
/ defending the principle of civil service,
| said its practice had been attended with
glaring incompetency. Mr.. Stewart. or
/ Nevada. regarded the civil service COM
mission as an Office brokerage estab-
/ lishment
The Massachusetts Senators. Messrs.
Hoar and Lodge. defended the law.
! The resolution directing the civil ser
| vice committee of the Senate TO inves-
! tigate the South Omaha Nebraska, re-
movals was broadened by an amend
ment instructing the committee to in
uuire into the general operation of the
! law and TO report whether 1t should be
I continued. amended or repealed.
| During the day Mr.. Berry. of Arkan-
sas. received a telegram stating that
/ 500 Mississippi river flooG sufferers had
/ landed at Helena. Ark. He secured the
adoption of a Joint resolution for the
purchase of 1000 tents for the use OK
/ the sufferers.
MIR. Turpie. of Indiana. then took the
! floor to speak in favor Of his joint res0-
! luton fer an amendment to the consti-
! tuition providing for the election of
! Senators by direct vote Of the people.
! After reviewing the historical points he
spoke directly upon the subject Of the
cases now pending in the Senate in two
| of which the legislatures failed to elect
| and the Senators were appointed by the
! Governors of the States. 1t is not now
| uncommon, he said. that the legislature
! of a State spends the whole OF its ses-
sion in attempting 20 elect Senator,
and adiourns without succeeding in the
ATTEMPT. thus submerging the rights
and interests local to the people OF the
! State. Under the present method OF
7
! have been deprived from time to time,
! Of their equal suffrage in the Senate
| evils which would disappear by the
| change he advocated. He then spoke
| of what he called the usurpation OF the
| power of trusts and the Influence ne
| said they eXerted over State leglsla-
lures. This is an instance of destotism
so odious and offensive, so contrary 10
the inborn freedom of manhood, IN
such deadly hostility to liberty and JUS
tice. as could only have been invented
and enforced by the shameless inso-
lence and audacity Of the syndicate or
| trusts.
The defeated force bilr had been de-
nounced by the press as infamous. but the
later force bill of The syndicate Of trusts
as ten fold more worthy Of such designa-
ton.
THE oligarchy Of the thirty trusts pro-
fssses intense opposition TO free lumber,
free wool. free coffee. free coinage, but it
abhors with most perfect hate the free
ballot"
The Senator sad he did not include all
corporations Some of them had acted
oiite honorably. but they were not con-
siderable in number.
"The plo.ters in this tyranny Of trusts
have not tried to avail themselves of the
terms Of public law; they have not even
pretsnse Of authority. They skulk Nehind
secret orders of the company and hide
among the shadows of the Incorporated
wraiths and ghosts who. unseen and un-
known. conduct this insidious raid against
the franchise
Mr. Turpie closed at $40 p m. and the
Senate went into executive session.
The open session was resumed at 500.
Mr. Pettigrew called up the bill TO. amend
the act repeating the timber culture laws.
When opposition was manifested Mr..
P5t;igrew said:
This hill passed The Senate and House
at the last session but It failed to receive
the Presidents signature, as ne was too
busy fishing
The bill was then passed.
A. 2.45 p. m. the Senate adjourned
CLEARANCE PAPERS ISSUED.