New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-15
CIVIL SERVICE FIGHT.
OPENING GUNS OF A LONG BATTLE IN
THE HOUSE.

IsHED UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
SYMPATHY FOR THE PRESIDENT
Washington. Dec. A-The House to-day after a
session OF about two hours adjourned out OF sym
pathy for the President. whose mother buried
In Canton this afternoon. The time was devoted 10
consideration OF the Legislative Executive and Ju-
dicial Appropriation bill. 1t was decided TO post
pone the consideration Of the item providing for the
maintenance of the Civil Service Commission until
after the other features OF the bill had been con-
cluded. 1t apparent from the remarks made to-
day that the entire subject will be exhaustvey de-
hated. There IS seemingly no disposition 10 curtaH
the discussion. and 1t probably will not be finished
before the holiday So absorbing Is the topic
that almost the entire time to-day. despite tho fact
that tho consideration Of tho question had been
technically postponed was consumed in debate on It,
On motion OF Mr. Lawrence CRep.. Mass.). Satur-
day January 8, set aside for paying tribute 10
the memory OF the late Representative Wright, his
predecessor. Then. without further preliminary
business tho House went into committee or the
whole and proceeded to the consideration OF the
Legislative. Executive and Judicial Appropriation
bill. Mr.. Bingham Rep.. PENN. in charge OF tho
measure. explained It's provisions in detail
Mr.. Bingham said he would offer amendment
to reduce the clerical force in the Pension ONCE by
ninety-six. involving a reduction OF $4,000 in sala
ries. This reduction did appear in the bill as
reported and must be reckoned In the totals
NJ Bingham said that he and his colleagues on
tho Appropriations Committee fct satisfied that
reduction of from 100000 to N,5oocoo could be
made in the salaries OF subordinate officers by Il
process OF wedding without in any way impairing
the Government service. and therefore every sug-
geson from heads OF Departments for Increases OF
salaries had been rejected He called attention to
the provision OF the bill curtaing the sick leave
allowed to clerks. which had been greatly abused.
Investigation had shown tina; in addition 10 the reg
uar thirty leave. Is per cent of the clerks OBJ
tained each year thirty days sick leave. Mr. Bin6-
ham did not discuss the appropriation providing for
the maintenance OF the Civil Service Commission.
but stated that the widest latitude would be allowed
for debate. even II It should run over the holiday
He asked. however. that the provision OF
the bill relating to the Civil Service Commission
and the debate thereon should go over until after
consideration OF the other features OF the bill.
Mr.. Grosvenor Qeep.. ohio expressed the opinion
that the bill should not be pressed TO a final vote
until after the holidays While he did not favor an
attack on the appropriation In this bill the country
was greatly interested in the subject, and he
thought 1t could be discussed with profit al THIS
tins
Mr. Binghams request was agreed TO- ana an
hour and half set aside for general debate
on the rest Of the bill.
Mr.. Barrett Rep.. Mass) made some genera! re-
marks In support OF the Cvil Service law, In the
course Of which he referred to the slender minor
!ty against tho law when II passed the House In
minority ne said were now members Of the House
-Messrs. Bland Dem. Mo-. McMlhn Dem''
Tenn and Steele Rep.. Ind.
This statement started series Of explanations
that gave the anti-Civil Service members repeated
opportunities TO applaud. First. Mr. steele said he
had never had occasion TO apologize for that vote
Then Mr.. Brumm CRep.. PENN called attention to
the fact tha. his name as one OF those who voted
against the measure had been over looked. ~" Was
BTGgd' he said to be included !" '"e ''' %
MI Marsh REP NJ also claimed plaC. in the
list. and added that he had never cast a vote Win
which h4 batter satisfied.
Mcssrs. Cannon Rep. III and Bingham r"itet-
law hy Executive orders The latter explained that
the Law passed under suspension Of The ruirs,
an extension by Executive orders that would cover
500 Government employee There Was mg'h hp-
pAus- and laughter during the series ~ state
ments and Mr. Cookery Dem. Mo- suggested thAt
leave 10 file iheir apologies FOR voting for the Law
Mr. Barrett continuing insisted that IN" law was
- - .,,.yoSstiy committed Ia
s shs policy 5oSe ' Of Gir ssT3ice Reform Rcpub
tho law and It's administration to the Republican
Mr. Moody Rep. Mass eaid he was willing TO
give q hearing on the Ciyil Service question. ana
he AID not propose to give u Judgment In advance.
ne asked was that the House should honestly con-
slider tho question and giyo II its careful judgment
ing" said he. the sta'esmarship that only re-
spe-rts what others say. Is the statesmansh.p tho
parrot displays In the course OF his morning "hIu-
lions" G.aughtcrJ
Mr. Dockery discussed the amazing growth "t
the expenditures Of the Government In recent year,
The ordinary eXTenses Of the Government. "N'lu-
Give Of the public debt. In the last eight years eN-
ceeded those OF the preceding eight years
by .O00GoO IN round numbers. he sad
In View OF this fact. there were only two
ways 10 bring the receipts ana expenses
together Either taxation must be increased or tho
expenses must be curtaied II the expenses were
20 be reduced, Congress alone could not accomplish
much without the aid Of tho Executive branch OF
the Government. Despite the Presidents appeal In
his Message for economy. the executive branches
OF the Government had submitted 90 Congress es-
Inmates for appropriations OF 81 90 oO0 In Of
the appruprtn tionR for the current Year
At this point the committee arose, and Mr.. eros
vcnor said: MIR Speaker: AZ II well known, the
funeral exercises OF the mother OF the chief MaGis-
trate OF the Nation to take place at this hour,
and. therefore. conforming TO the action OF the
senate and q token Of our sympathy and re-
spect for the President. move that the House do
adjourn"
Tho motion unanimously carried. and at 1:45