The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-11
FIGHT OvER CIVIL SERVICE
AN ONO REPUBLICAN, BEGINS TEE
ONSLAUGHT IN THE house.

. ne nsnprs 20 the Raw rs an AbomipatioB. and
says the President vas wronH In sayinE
Thst the People Favor 1t-Mr. DinEley
tees q $4,000 900 suvpius In Isos-op.
WASHINGTON. Dec. Reconsideration of the
General Pension Appropriation bill afforded an
opportunity for a four hours debate in the
House to-day. In which several other subjects
wero prominently presented. Mr.. Dlngloy made
an extended statement regarding receipts and
expenditures, in which he assured tho House
that in all probability thero would DO a surplus
a. the result of the fiscal operations OF tho
Treasury In the year 1889, and that tho
revenue legislation now on the statute books
would by tho close OF this fiscal year DO pro-
ducing money enough to meet tho expcndi-
lures OF the Government. Mr.. Richardson
wanted to know when the Dingley bill would
produce all the revenue that was expected from
Il. The author replied, amid the applause OF his
political associates. that he expected tho revc-
nues under that bill to constantly increase with
the growth and prosperity Of the country.
Messrs. Brown OF Ohio and Linney Of North
Carolina, Republicans, violently attacked tho
Civil Service law. and Mr.. johnson OF Indiana
vehemcntly argued that abandonment or DO.
trayal Of civil service reform was disloyalty to
the Republican party. of which It was Il cardinal
principle. Gen. Grosvenor produced q few
figures to demonstrate that tho Republican
party in Congress had always been tho friend Of
liberal pensions, and its presence there in tho
majority had alonc made tho passage Of pension
laws possible. The bill was finally passed with
out q division.
Chairman Hit Of the Committee OF Foreign
Affairs endeavored to pass the bill prohibiting
American citizens from pelagic sealing in tho
North Pacific. Unexpected opposition was
manifested, and tho matter went over until
Monday. to which day the House adjourned.
5 The debate was begun by Mr.. Brown tRep.,
Ohio. He complained that the Commissioned
Of Pensions was unable to appoint an examining
board In his county that would do justice to tho
veterans Of the war Of 1861, because OF tho
Nomination known as tho Civil Service law"
lApplause.l In the name Of 5000 old soldiers
no denounced that law and demanded on their
behalf its repeal or severe modification. He did
not think that the law ought to remain in force
in q single department of the Government, in
Washington or elsewhere. Referring to the as
sertion by Mr.. johnson rep, Ind.) the other
day that civil service reform was q cardinal
principle OF tho Republican party, Mr.. Brown
said that in his State there was a very large
element Of Republicanism which did not regard
It as o cardinal or any other kind of principle of
the party. He believed that President McKin-
ley was mistaken when he said that that law
had met tho approval OF tho people Of tho
United States. Tho people of Ohio" said Mr..
Brown. ARE not in favor of It," He had read
tho civil service plank unanimously adopted by
the Republican State Convention at Toledo last
June. on which platform. he said, in an off yetiP,
the Republicans OF Ohio elected their candidate
for Governor by 80. 900 majority. Subordinate
conventions, ho said. had declared against the
law, and the Republican press OF the State was
Q unit against it.
This statement was challenged by Mr.. John
son CFtep, Ind.l, who said q Cincinnati paper
was in favor OF the law. Whereupon MI. Brown
said that IL the gentleman could produce an ed
itorial from, tho paper in question he would
Elsdly give him tine to read It; . NJ
Brown whether the civil service plank adopted
at Toledo had been opposed by any one Of the
Mr.. rown-I do not know that any one Of
those delegates. or that any delegate from
State opposed it. (Appiause.i Twill 60 further
than Gen. Grosvcnor and say that 90 per cent.
opposed 10 the law. II to stand on the Ohio
platform i disloyai to the party. then l am dis;
those who stand with him can make the best Of
MIR. Bromweil .tRep.. ohiot-I agree with Mr..
ton of the law SO far as II relates to
but When he says that the Republicans Of my
aIss Drin s5e eP pr sSe c f. ih ser Spp,,f iaWl I S Ss the 10
assure this House that he is mistaken. They
believe and l believe that the wrongs
p Dy 6e9 10 of IesTin mI .he p Pre pdGsidenf o afHye ssoSla au ss
righted. and they believe also that the proper
admipiistr"tion e the law can be safely left to
rendered to the Government shall be for its
Mr.. Grosvenor Rep. ohiol then took tho
floor. saying that after the speech Of his col
70 blaze the way in reform OF civil, service CON
ditions. but take his place as a disciple of his
among the Ohio delegation. after listening to
the speeches OF this morning. said Mt: eros.
into which = candidate for a high office in his
State once found himself regarding the tenn
that he was in favor I've Of the Maine law. THIS
got about, and he found himself confronted by
z serious difference Of opinion. To allsy that
opposed to its enforcement. Mr.. .Grosvenor dis
claimed any intention to revive the fires Of sec.
tional antagonism which have happily died out
in this country, and devoted the remainder Of
his speech to a defence OF the Republican party
10 the interest of the soldiers: As a measure of
relief from untoward conditions that exist he
tho enactment of q service pen
Mr.. johnson REP, IndJ briefly nswer Mr..
Browns speech. combining himself to a presenta-
ton OF the proof, from the declarations Of tho
National Republican platforms since 1875, that
the party. The law was passed By a Republican
House, spprpyed by a Republican President:
MT. Hayes had supported it. quoting especially
Mt: Mckinley. who said on the floor OF the
House HAT that civ Gisi 1v ssrrise hi reform ho5 nr had SSmS sL 70
upon his own plea OF guilty. Mr.. johnson said
Mr.. Brown, stood convicted Of disloyalty to a
o+ Mr.. PeaRr rsoH' tReP p, e. y. q tl'R ssFed NJ E'!JE Johnson
II he was in favor OF life tenure in office.
Mr.. yohnson-In civil service. yes. sir. Zap
plause.l l believe the Offices belong to all the
People, and not to the few who undertake to
administer them in the interests of those who
may be able to control a few votes at O primary.
tApplause.l
Mr. Carmack Dem. Tenn pleaded for a pure-
ing of the pension roll by Withdrawing from 1t
those who do not need The payments quarterly
made to them. He would not charge that any
names were on the roll unla wfully, but tho law
which permits this character OF pensioners to
be placed there should be amended.
Mr.. Sims Dem, Tenn expressed his concern
as a taxpayer over tho question OF providing
funds for meeting future pension paynents and
the enactment OF an income tax
law for that purpose. That done" he said,
I'll vote for any pension bill you'll bring up
Mr.. .Dingley REP Mel. Chairman Of the
House, speaking first to the statement frequent
ly made in, the debate that the amount Of tho