Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-24


to be the Means Of Changing the
Political Complexion of the Con-
gress to be Elected Two Years
Hence-Grosvenor Would Undo
the Past-Mr. Brosius Has a Final
Wo d.
Washington, February 23.-The
House sent the naval bill, the last of
the appropriation bills, to the Senate
to-day. Mr. Boutelle, chairman of the
naval committee, was in charge of the
measure and displayed such skill in
its handling that its provisions aroused
little opposition and it was passed,
practically without amendment.
The feature of the day was an ex-
ceedingly interesting political debate
on the civil service reform. 1t occurred
during the consideration of a bill to
permit the governors of the territories
10 appoint certain officers of the terri
tories in case Of vacancies without the
which is now required by law.
Mir. Bailey lDem., TeXas), fought the
bin on the ground that the Democrats
and Republicans of Arizona should not
bring their squabbles to Congress. In
the course OF his remarks Mr. Bailey
rendered to the Republicans his SYM
pathy for the troubles of patronage
which would beset them March 4. On
that day, he said, there would be 350,-
GOO Office seekers and 10000 offices.
-Four years ago. said he, you
laughed at our embarrassment now we
laugh at yours You have no more
chance of escaping the wrath OF the
Office seekers at the next Congressional
elections than we had Of escaping the
disapproval of the people for the NAL
administration of the administration
shout to retire from power
Proceeding Mr.. Bailey declared that
every member on the floor realized the
dangers of patronage. There were
from five to ten disappointed applicants
Tor the postOfIices in every town, great
or small In fifty Congressional dis
tricts the majority was less than l,OOO.
Every one of these districts would go
Democratic at the next election. Pat
rOnage was a disadvantage, both at the
primaries and the polls. More anlmos-
tiles have been created between the
executive and legislative branchss OF
the government by patronage. said he,
than all other questions combined II
was O. quarrel over patronage that drove
from the Senate most of the brilliant
men who had been in that body in thir-
ty years.
1t was the heat of zeal for Office which
so Influenced the brain of madman
that he shot down the President.
1T is the apple of discord and we
as partisans should rejoice at every
Office created for you to fill for every
office creates disappointment, which
makes IL more certain that Demo-
cratic majority will succeed the Re
publican majority of the next Con-
gress.
Mr.. Flynn Rep, Okla.0 aroused
many Republicans to applause by de-
claring that if he could have his way
he would wipe out the civil service law
and fiji every Office with Republican
in q hours. .,...,o,
Mr. Grosvenor (Rep.. Ohio) ridiculed
the civil service system and predicated
amid uproarious applause from the he
nublicans that the tide was rising Whlch
wou'd sweep the law out of existence
and give the young men OF this country
a chance. .,.-.-
Mr. Erozius CRep.. Pa denied that 1t was
.,,t,,,onis+i. to young men. on ,he con-
tr,r, be said. the merit system gave the
,.,,,nr mon the right to aspire TO Office
,rftbou; the humiliation of being subSerV-
i.,, ~ poljtics and b5ggars at the feet OF
bosses.
lIr Bailey again secured the floor and
,f..r remarline upon the peculiar rela-
tons existing between the gentleman
cr,,,, ohio CGrosvenor) and the incoming
President. asked sen.enuously II the Dem
,.r,t. were warranted in assuming that
his utteranccs were TO be construed as
notice that the civil service law is to be re-
peal d.
.,Nvhat do YOU think Of the law?' put in
Mr.. steele Gep. lnd.).
.I think IL humbug' replied Mr.. Bal
low a rasponse that won a round OF APP
rrause from both sides of the house.
Nrr Crosvenor Rep., ohio replied to
Mr. Rauev.s intimacon with a frankness
chat AGAIN set The Republicans wild.
eff t1o gentleman from Texas had been
i,-.. q, IN. -r,h Congress said he, The
would know that the first bitter contention
r o,.sr had ON this floor with Wm. McKin-
I.,. y.as ON this subject Of civil service
,oforu ne taking enc side of the question
and tha other When it was over did
NOT think he had lost any confidence IN my
nar.issnship and I had lost none in his
ststesmanship and ultimate good sense.
..1-ltimata is good" shouted Mr.. Bailey,
as the house appauded.
Mr. Grosvenor proceeded 20 characterize
the ciyV service law as conspiracy
which had proved The greatest power Of
the spokesman.
r1s termed il "a law 70 pension incompe-
..,t." and said the people had at last dis
covered that it was a humbug. lie told OF
,r instance where a Democratic Official
with 70 civil service employees under him
,,5 b,as..d that he had been able to get
into Office 20 Democrats.
BE declared tn8- "Pendleton and the
7, -,o,~s+..' had introduced this patent
n-iicine' into our government.
I'm conclusion ne denied that he pretend
s5 IN represent the views of the President
elect He said he verged his individuality
into no administration. He had consii'-
rsrcv 10 represent and when he spoke he
5id so for his constituency. his conscience
aud his God eff I had the power said
bo ~ yvould not ask the sun 10 move. back
,y7rd as Joshua did. but TO go forward.
! would issue an order to permit the right
ir, of the wrongs done in the past