The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-16
Proposition of Assistant Secre-
tary YanderIip
To Retire Pension Clerks for
Age on Salary
AROUSES MEMBERS
Republican Friends of Civil
Service in the House
Vigorously DenOunce the Sug-
gestion and the SuggestOr.

Washington, Dec. 1s-The house spent
yesterday In the consideration of the leg
islative. executive and judicial appropria-
ton bill EdRhty-nine of the 122 pages
of the bill were covered, and only one
amendment of Importance was adopted
1t reduced the clerical force at the pen
sion office S. involving a reduction in sal
aries of $1,000.
The civil service question was the chief
topic of discussion and the proposition
OF Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Vanderlip to retire clerks for age was made
the text for denunciation by Mr. Moody
CAdass) and Mr.. Johnson Qnd), both Of
whom are defenders of the civil service
law.
Mr.. De Almond Dem, Mo-, under the
latitude allowed in the debate on appro-
priation bills made an impassioned speech
reproaching the majority for not voting
upon the Cuban belligerency resolution
passed by the senate at the last session.
His remarks were given added Importance
in view of the action of the Democratic
caucus, declaring for an aggressive sup
rort of the recognition of Cuban belliger-
ency He declared that he could not be
mistaken in his belief that the American
people, without distinction of party, sym
pathized with the Cuban cause. The tri-
umph Of tyranny in Cuba, he said, would
prove a menace to liberty the world over
and in conclusion, amid a round or ap-
7lause. he appealed to the majority to
give the house an opportunity of voting
on that resolution.
The debate then drifted to the civil
service question, and Mr.. Moody (Rep.,
AIass.) called attention to what he termed
the extraordinary proposition advocat-
ed by Assistant Secretary of the Treas
tirv Vanderlip in a published interview IN
that interview, MIR. Moody said, Mr. Van
derlip proposed to establish in the treas
1lrv department what, in effect, would be
a civil pension list. AS one of those who
believed in the merit system, ne thought
congress ought to meet this proposition
at the threshold eff this system, which
we support, is to lead to the establishment
of a civil pension list" said he Impress
tveiy. then the people ought to wipe it
out of existence Great applause.) As
a friend of civil service reform" said he
81 say its worst enemies are not those
who are fighting it openly, like General
Grosvenor. but the men like the author
of this proposition, who sits in the cabi-
net by the side of President Mckinley.
(Applause)
BIr. Johnson (Rep., Ind) declared that
the last census conducted under the spolls
system was notoriously inefficient and eX-
was to be ineffciently done. He also said
he shared Mr. MoOdy's Indignation over
the proposition of Mr.. Vanderlip, and
said it was particularly unfortunate at
this time. He thought Mr.. Vanderlips
superior, Secretary Gage, should admon-
ish him His proposition violated the
spirit and letter of the law. Mr. john
son was besieged by questions from those
clustered about him. but he held his own
declaring that the government was not
conducted for the purpose of providing Tor
men in their old age. They should do'
he said, as others did-provide for a rainy
day.
Mr.. Ouigg CRep., n. ", Mr.. Pearson
(Rep.. n. c. and others became involved
in the debate. Finally Mr.. Bingham IN
charge Of the bill. appealed to the house
TO let this subject, which had been post
poned until after the rest of the bill was
completed, go over and the debate sub
sided. The bill was then read for amend@
ment under the five minute rule
Mr.. Wheeler Dem. Ala) offered an
amendment providing that so long as the
sold standard is maintained in this coun-
try the salaries of all officials shall be
scaled q per cent. The amendment was
ruled out on a point of order
When the paragraph relating to the
Dension Office was reached Mr. Bingham
offered the amendment of which he gave
notice at the opening of the debate to
reduce the clerical force by 95, involving |
a reduction of salaries aggregating Sllo,- |
600. Mr.. Handy Dem, Ala-) suggested
that the amendment might result in the |
removal of 95 Democrats who the COM /
missioner of pensions thinks could now |
be spared, and later on the appointment |
of s5 Republicans. when it became evident /
that the force was too meager.
AIr Bingham said the clerks were all /
under the civil service.
Eir. Cannon gave a brief history of the |
increase of the pension office force, made |
necessary during the administration of /
Commissioner Dudley on account of the
arrearage of the work in the bureau. The
work, after the passing of the act of
1890. was four years behind. The increase
had at last brought the work up to date.
Mr.. Doekery thought the reduction in
the pension force should be 500 instead of
s5. In his opinion, if the deadwood were
cleared out of the offices, the work of the
bureau would actually be expedited.
Mr.. Todd (Dem., AIich.) moved an
amendment to the amendment providing
that reductions should be made from the
several political parties in proportion to
their representation on the pension office
force. The amendment to the amendment
was ruled out on point of order and the
original amendment was adopted.
The committee then rose and the house |