The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-15
CIVIL SERVICE CONFLICT.
HOUSE TO DEBATE THE SUBJECT
EXHAUSTIVELY.

consideration of the Item in the Leg
isIative, Executive and judicial
ADpropriation Bill to Be POstpOn-
ed Until After the Conclusion of
the Debate on the other Features
of the BfII-rhe Widest Latitude to
He Allowed the Discussion.
Washington, Dec 1.-THE House to-day
iourned out of sympathy for the President
whose mother was buried at Canton this
afternoon.
The time of the session was devoted to
the consideration of the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill. 1t
was decided to postpone the consideration
OF the item providing for the maintenance
OF the civil service commission until after
the features of the bill had been conclud-
ed. 1t was apparent from the remarks
made to-day that the entire subject will
be extensively debated.
on motion of Mr.. Lawrence, rep, of
Massachusetts, Saturday, Jan 8, was set
aside for paying tribute to the memory of
the late Representative Wright, his prede-
Cessor.
Then, without further preliminary bust
ness, the House went into committee of
the whole and proceeded to the considera>
zion of the legislative, executive and lu-
dicial appropriation bill. Mr.. Bingham,
rep, of Pennsylvania, in charge of the
measure, explained its provisions In detail.
Mr.. Bingham said he would offer an
amendment to reduce the clerical force in
me pension office by IS clerks, involving
reduction of $1l5,OOO in salaries
Mr.. Bingham did not discuss the appro-
2riations providing for the maintenance of
tie civil service commission, but stated
that the widest latitude would be allowed
fq debate, even if it should run over the
hdiday recess. He asked, however, that
TN provision of the bill relating to the civ
il service and the debate thereon, should
go over until after the consideration of
otter features of the bill were concluded.
tr. Grosvenor, rep, of Ohio, under
W ose direction the fight on the civil ser
vie law is being made, expressed the
ONION that the bill should not be pressed
toa final vote until after the holidays.
IT, Bingham's request was agreed to,
ard an hour and a half was set aside for
Rneral debate on the rest of the bill.
Mr. Barrett rep, of Massachusetts. took
ne floor and made some general remarks
support of the civil service law, in the
curse of which he referred to the slender
minority against the civil service Jaw
7hen it passed the House in 1888 The
pte stood 155-47
Nessrs. Cannon, rep, of Illinois, and
Bingham, rep, of Pennsylvania reiterat-
O. their opposition to the broad extern
ssn of the laws by executive orders. The
liter explained that the law was passed
uI3er suspension of the rules practically
without debate and never contemplated
q extension by executive orders that
wuld cover $1,000 government employees.
Mr. Moody, rep of Massachusetts, said
was willing to give a hearing on the
evil service question and he did not pro-
pse 70 give judgment i'm advance.
4r. sGrosvenOr said all he asked was
tat the House should honestly consid-
e the. question and give it its careful
gdgment. 1.-The craftsmanship that does
Mt do its own thinking" said he, the
craftsmanship that only respects what
ohers say, is the craftsmanship the par
re displays in the course of his morning
aautions. NaughteD.
IT. Dockery, dem, of Missouri discuss
ecthe amazing growth of the expenditures
c the government during recent years
9he ordinary expenditures, exclusive of
t.e pubic debt, the last eight years ex-
c,ededi those of the preceding eight years
b4 $1,000, Geo. COO in round numbers. In view
otthis fact there Were only two ways. he
sad, to bring the receipts and expenses
Dgether. Either taxation must be in
creased or the expenses must be curtaied
i the expenses were to be reduced con-
aess alone could not accomplish much
without the aid of the executive branch
o the government. Despite the Presidents
appeal. in his message for economy, the
executive branches of the government had
submitted to congress estimates for ap-
pJopriations of $27,00O,0O0 in excess of the
appropriations for the current year.
AT this point at 1:45 o'clock, the House
adjourned out of sympathy for President
3cKinley's affection in the loss Of his
mother.