The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-03-26
CIVIL SERVICE.
The Senate Wants the Operation Of
the Law Investigated.
SPEECH on SENATORIAL ELECTIONS.
Speeches Made in the House On the TariR
Ella Night sessioH-PetitiOn for
Placing Books on the
Free List,

was unexpectedly precipitated into
civil service debate yesterday, 1t pro
ceeded for two hours, the civil service
act and the commission being under
fire most of the time. The debate
was significant owing to the recent
change Of administration, and the at
tendant demand for offices. The dis
cussion came up on resolution to in-
vestigate federal removals at the South
Omaha, Neb.. Office. The resolution
was broadened by an amendment in
structing the committee to inquire in
to the general operation of the civil
service law, and TO report whether it
should be continued, amended or re-
pealed.
During the day Mr.. Berry, Of Arkan-
sas, received a telegram that 500 Mis-
sissippi river food sufferers had landed
at Helena, Ark. He secured the adop-
ton of a joint resolution for the pur-
chase of ], 900 tents for the use of the
sufferers.
Mr.. Turpie, of Indiana, spoke at con-
siderable length in advocacy Of the
election Of United States senators by
popular vote, detailing the uncertain
ties and frequent scandals attending
the pressnt method of choosing sena-
tors. After reviewing the historical
points, he spoke directly upon the sub
jeet 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 uncommon, he said,
that the legislature of state spends
the whole of its session in attempting
to elect a senator and adjourns without
succeeding in the attempt, thus sub
merging the rights and interests local
to the people of the state. Under the
present method of electing senators
many of the states have been deprived
from time to time of their equal SUI
frage in the, senate, evils which would
disappear by the change he advocated.
he then spoke of what he called the
Usurpation of power by trusts, and the
influence he said they exerted over
state legislatures.
Mr, Turpie closed at $40 p. N. and
the senate went into executive session.
The open session was resumed at 500.
The bill was passed to establish the
official survey of certain lands in Ne
brasla, west of the Niobrara river.
On motion of Mr., Hoar the bank
ruptcy bill, which was reported favor
ably, was made the unfinished bust
ness, thus giving it right of way after
two p. N. daily.
Mr.. Pettigrew called up the bill to
amend the act repeating the timber
culture laws and it was then passed.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-There were
less than so members on the floor when
the house entered on the second day of
the tariff debate at ten o'clock. There
were only a few stragglers in the gal
leries. As the day advanced the mem
bers poured in and the galleries were
crowded Mr.. Gibson, of Tennessee,
was the first speaker He devoted
himself to a general argument in favor
of protection.
Mr.. Doclzery, of Missouri, who fol-
lowed, said; The people Of this coun-
try want more money and less taxes.
This bill does not represent the issue
of the late campaign. The people
would prefer to see Sis, OOO, 900 more
money put into circulation than to see
that amount absorbed by the treas
ury." Mr.. Dockery ridiculed the idea
that the present tariff law was the
monster which had destroyed our in
dnstries and was especially sarcastic
IN his remarks on the absurdity of Civ
ing alleged protection to agricultural
products. Of the S569, 1000, 600 of prod
ucts exported by the United States
last year, he said, S504,OOO, 600 was ag-
ricultural products. In conclusion he
said the policy of protection had driv-
en- our flag from the high seas, impov-
erished the laboring men and multi
piled farm mortgages.
Mr., Newlands, silvcrite, of Nevada,
then took the floor as the spokesman
of his party. Tariff legislation alone,
he asserted, would not give relief, and
contended that the area of distress,
for years confined to the mining belt,
the wheat belt and the cotton belt, had
now extended to the middle and east
ern states, which were suffering from
the loss Of the consuming capacity OF
the western and southern states. The
increase of protection to the factories
wonld not materially add to their
prosperity unless the consuming capa-
city of these regions was restored.
Mr.. Dolliver, of Iowa. made a speech
in favor OF the bill and concluded as
follows: THE Wilson law still stands
and has for three years stood on the
statute books OF the United States
without friend and without a name,
stealing the revenues from the treas
ury, wasting the resources of the gov
eminent, stealing away the earnings OF
American labor, taking from the Amer
lean farms the market places of the
United States and Of the world That
law stands on the statute book to-day
and brings this congress together il
extraordinary session. The American
people in ordinary times look to con.
gress very much as the shipwrecked
mariner looks to Providence IN a storm.
not particularly expecting anything.
but because everything else has been
washed overheard.
A bill TO compel respectful treatment
for the United States flag was intro
duced by Representative Howe, Of New
York. Il provides that any person il
the employ Of the government vic
saall utter words that reject or east
reproaehes On the American flag. there.
By showing 1isloyalty to the Tag and
tie government, from which they de-
rive tbeig livelihood, shall be immedi.
eTelg dismissed zFeHa tae service.