Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-24
PRESENT SYSTEM ROUNDLY SCORED
IN THE SENATE.
DENOUNCED AS A HU!MBUG.
MIR. HoAR AND MIR. LODGE DEFEND
THE SYSTEM.
Nr. Turpie Speaks mt Length in Adj
yocacy of His Plan for the Eiec-
tion of United States Sem
ators Directly by the
People.

Washington, March 2S-The senate was
unexpectedly precipitated into civil serv-
ice debate to-day 1t proceeded for two
hours. the civil service act and the COM
mission being under fire most of the time.
The debate assumed added significance,
owing to the recent change of administra-
ton, and the attendant demand for cf-
fees.
Mr.. German, of Maryland, called atten-
ton to the presence in Washington of the
horde of hungry place hunters. and ex-
pressed profound sympathy with his Re-
publican associates over the restrictions of
| the civil service system.
The discussion came up on a resolution to
investigate federal removals at the South
Omaha. Neb.. office.
Mr.. Gallinger, of New Hampshire, char
acterized the civil service system as
,hunnbug, and declared he would be glad to
cast his vote to blot out the system. There
was continued applause in the galleries at
this statement. Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska,
called the civil service act monumental
humbug.' and Mr.. Wilson, Republican, of
Washington, said it was a "humbug, de-
fusion, ia snare and a fraud"
I Mr.. Hawiey, of Connecticut while defend
| ing the principle of civil service said its
practice had been attended with glaring
| incompetency. Mr.. Stewart. of. Nevada
| regarded the civil service commission as an
office brokerage establishment.
The Massachusetts senators, Messrs.
Hoar and Lodge, defended the law.
The resolution directing the civil service
committee of the senate to investigate the
South Omaha, Neb., removals was broad
ened by an amendment instructing the
committee to inquire into the general op-
nj hn Low and to xrrI,af fI,a-.
| it should be continued, amended or re-
pealed.
During the day, Mr.. Berry, of Arkansas,
received telegram that 500 Mississippi
| river food sufferers had landed at Helena,
Ark. He secured the adoption of a joint
resolution for the purchase of 1000 tents
| for the use of the sufferers.
Mr.. Turpie, of Indiana, spoke at consid-
cradle length in advocacy of the election of
| United States senators by popular vote, de-
| failing the uncertainties and frequent scam
| dals attending the present method of choos-
| ing senators.
After reviewing the historical points, he
| Spoke directly upon the subject of the
| three cases now pending in the senate,
| saying in part:
There is certainly very clear incon-
| sruity between the legislative duties and
| the office of choosing senators of the Unit
| ed States. This disagreement has become
| greater as the country has grown older.
| 1t is now not uncommon that the legisla-
| ture of state spends the whole time of
| its session in an effort to elect United
| States senator, and adjourns without sue.
| ceeding in the attempt. This results in the
| total neglect by the members of the gen.
| eral assembly of their functions as law
givers of the state. Thus the rights and
| interests local to the people of the state
| are submerged, overwhelmed and forgot
| ten in the struggle over the senatorial-elec-
| ton. Beside this. the condition of politi-
| cal parties becomes sometimes so evenly
| balanced that very small number-two
or three members of the legislature be-
| longing to some middle or third party in
small minority among the peoples able
| TO determine the choice of senator or to
prevent one being made. The inability to
elect by the legislative body is becoming
| mere and more frequent. 1t is not phys
ical disability: it is rather political or
functional inability, induced by the too
close equilibrium of dissenting forces who
are unable to unite upon a choice.
1T is true. as has already been noted,
that the federal constitution provides that
| no state shall be deprived of its equal
suffrage in the senate but the fact is that
under the present mode of choosing United
States senators by the legislatures. many
of the states have been, from time to time.
| deprived of their equal suffrage in the
| senate. Washington, Wyoming, Montana
and Delaware. until recent date, were
so situated. and at this very time the
states of Oregon and kentucky are de-
prved of their equal representation in the
| serate by reason of the inability of the
| legislatures to elect. All these evils will
disappear by this change in the method of
| electing senators.
THE people at large would not be him
dered by any such disability. They would
vote for the senator they same as they do
| for the governor, and a count of the vote
would decide the election"
Mr.. Turpie then spoke of the usurpation
! of the power of trusts and the influence
they eXerted over state legislatures. He
continued:
This syndicate of the. trusts in its action
carried on by any Of its incorporated mem
bers, such as transportation or manufact-
| ures. Its aim is political supremacy by
direct control of the ballot among its very
sents the question, bare and naked, to
every employe, whether he will vote the
| as his conscience and Judgment dictate,
with the alternative of losing his place
and wages. and this to a class of men
whose livelihood depends upon their daily
| work and earnings. This is an instance OF
trary to the inborn freedom of manhood. in
such deadly hostility to liberty and justice.
as could only have been invented ana en-
forced by the shameless - insoienee ts'iei and au-
The force bill, not long ago driven from
! this chamber in defeat and discontinue.
has been with marvellous unanimity OF eX-
preston. by the public press OF the coun-
try denounced as infamous, but TINS later
force bill of the syndicate of the trusts IS
tenfold more worthy of such designation.
The oligarchy of the trusts say, with list
less languid indifference, The laborer IS
sharpest emphasis, But not of his vote; his
vote is ours :.
..The oligarchy of the trusts profess IN
tense opposition to free lumber, free WOOL,
free coffee, free coinage but It aph9rs WIN tt
| frea ballot this syndicate of trusts would
| he sent back to their original calling. that
| of furnishing shoes and sugar calico and
| carpets transportation for freight ana pas
| sencers, purveyors of goods and merchan,,
disc common carriers of the public: all
very useful and honorable vocations. II
honestly pursued, but not TO be compared
| in their estimation with that Whlcn
| they to-day so arrogantly assume. the con-
| troll of the legislation and OF the govern
| ment of the United States.
| '',The plotters in this tyranny OF trusts
| have not tried to avail themselves Oh the
| terms of public law; they have not even
a pretense of authority; They skulk De
| hind secret orders of the company, and
| lie among the shadows of the Incorporated
| wraiths and ghosts. who. unseen and un-
| known. conduct this insidious raid against
the franchise.
The legislative caucus. he declared, was
| peculiarly adapted to the control of trusts.
| Mr. Turpie closed with declaration that
| this amendment was in accordance with
the great precedent of progress and ad-
jsvancement set forth in the preamble of
| the constitution.
/ Mr.. Turpie closed at $40 p. m. and the
/ int