Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-16
We Want To Show You
55th CONGRESS-.
Continued from page ~

luton might be referred to his committee
as the matter concerning the aiding Of
the Yukon miners was under conSidera-
ton by that committee.
Cockrell Mo-. thought it strange that
The government should have to pay tor
supplies sent to the klondike miners.
when. as he understood 1t, the miners
were perfectly able and willing to pay for
such supplies. He was of the opinion
that it was bad precedent to establish.
Hawley then moved that the resolution
be referred to the committee on military
affairs, promising that it should have
prompt consideration.
The debate then drifted back to the
civil service question and Moody. Rep,
Mass, called attention to what he termed
the extraordinary proposition advo-
Gated by Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury vanderlip, in an interview pub
lished, this morning. In that interview.
Moody said Vanderbilt proposed to es-
tablish in the treasury department what
in effect would be a civil pension list. AS
one of those who believed in the merit
system. he thought Congress ought to
meet this proposition at the threshold.
"If this system which We support is to
lead to the establishment of civil pension
list" said he, then the people ought to
wipe it out of existence" General APP
plause).
Continuing, Moody said he did not be-
lieve the act of 1888 led logically to a civil
pension list, but on the other hand he be-
lieved the declaration of the assistant
secretary of the treasury would meet the
disapproval Of the American people, as
q friend of civil service reform, he said
its worst enemies are not those who are
fighting it openly like Gen. Grosvernor,
but men like the author of this PROPOSE
ton who sits in the cabinet by the side
of President Mckinley. (Applause)
Quigg, Rep, N. Y. thought life tenure
in office led naturally to civil pension list.
1t would be brutal he said, to turn men
out to starve after they had spent their
lives In the service and were incapaciated
from doing anything else.
Moody denied that it was brutal to turn
out man after he had ceased to be
valuable. especially if he had enjoyed
long service lat salary double that for
the same service in private life.
Moodys Indignation over the proposition
of Mr.. Vanderlip and said it was particu-
larly unfortunate at this inOpportune
time. He thought Vonderlip's superior.
Secretary Gage. should admonish him;
His proposition violated the spirits and
letter of the law. Government clerks
should do as others did. provid for a
rainy day. Quigg, Pearsons. Rep. N. c.,
and others became involved in debate.
Finally Bingham in charge of the bill
appealed to the House to let this subject
which had been postponed until after the
rest of the bill was completed. go over
and the debate subsidized. The bill was
then read for amendment under the five
minute rule.
When the paragraph relating to the
Congressional library was reached. Quige
proposed an amendment to change the
name of the library to the National
library and to change the title of the
librarian to director of the National
library but it was ruled out on point
of order.
Wheeler, Dem. Ala, offered an amend
ment providing that so long as the golo
standard is maintained in this country
the salaries of all clerks shall be scaled
p per cent. He made a 10-minute speech
in support of the amendment, which was
ruled out on a point of order
When the paragraph relating to tn,
pension office was reached. Bingham
offered an amendment to reduce the clcri
cal force by 95. involving a reduction Of
salaries aggregating Sis, 600. Handy, Del.
suggested that this amendment might re
suit in the removal of 95 Democrats whom
the commissioner of pensions thought
could now be spared, and later the ap
pointment of 95 Republicans when it be.
came evident that the force was too mea
gre. Bingham said the clerks were al
under the civil service rules.
Dockery thought the reduction in tn,
pension force should be 500 instead of 50
In his opinion. if the dead wood wer,
cleared out of the office. the work of tn,
bureau would be expedited.
Todd Dem. Tenn. moved an amend
ment to the amendment providing tina
the reductions should be made from TIL,
several political parties in proportion t.
their representation on the pension offie'
roll The amendment to the amendment
was ruled out of order. and the origina
amendment was adopted. The committee
| then arose and at sos p. NJ. the Hous
| adjourned ,a