Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-11
FRIENDS OF CIVIL SERVICE LAW
WANT DEBATE ENDED.
SPEAKER REED TO HELP THEM.
A FIELD DAY FOR OP-
PONENTS OF THE LAW
Nine Congresxmen Spoke Against 1t
and in Favor of the Spoils Sys-
tem-COoncy and COwherd,
of Missouri, Among
III Speakers.

Washington, Jan. 10.-The opponents of
the civil service law had much the best
of the debate in the house to-day, so far as
the number of those engaging in 1t was
concerned. Nine of the eleven speakers
were of the opposition. The friends of the
law are very anxious to shut off further
debate, and in this will have the co-opera-
ton of Speaker Reed and the rules COM
mittee. Mr.. Moody, who has charge of
the bill, gave notice that he would test
the sense of the house tomorrow on a mo-
ton to close debate. The opposition i'm
mediately sent word to all in their ranks
to be on hand, and they say they will
ave no difficulty in defeating the motion.
Those who participated in the debate to-
day were:
In opposition to the aw-Messrs Cooney,
Democrat, Missouri; Door. Republican.
West Virginia; Cox, Democrat, Tennessee;
Little, Democrat, Arkansas; Brumm Re-
publican, Pennsylvania; Cowherd. Demo-
crat, Missouri; Sulloway, Republican, New
Hampshire; Low, Republican, New York;
and in defense of the law. Messrs. Mccall,
Republican, Massachusetts, and Parker,
Republican, New Jersey.
The attendance in the house was light
to-day, but the galleries were well filled.
The civil service debate was resumed at
once and Mr.. Cooney. Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, took the floor. He opposed the
whole civil service reform idea, which he
denounced as a cheat and a narrow swim
die. A civil pension list and officeholding
class, he argued. were logical and inevi-
table If 1t was TO be continued.
Mr.. Door. Republican, of West Virginia,
followed with a set speech In opposition
to the law.
Mr.. Cox. Democrat. of Tennessee. said he
was SO utterly opposed to civil service re
form that he would vote to strike out the
appropriation for the committee, and for
the repeal Of the law.
Mr.. Little, Democrat. of Arkansas, an
tagonized the principle. theory and prac-
MIR. Brumm, Republican. of Pennsylvania.
also opposed the reform system" He
doubted. he said. whether the president OF
the United States. members of the supreme
court. senate or house could pass some OF
the civil service examinations He defend.
ed what was known as the political pull
Livery young man should have such inilu-
ence. and. If he did not have it, 1t was
the best evidence that he was unworthy
Of political privileges, He was ready to
Mr.. Mccall. Republican. of Massachu-
sets. was the first speaker to-day to de-
fend the merit system. In replying to the
criticisms of some of the opponents of the
system, he raised a laugh at the expense
of Mr.. Grosvenor. who, according to his
(McCall's) calculations, wanted over lis
pei CcHl VI lilc oliiItS CAtliptSu " Iiic
operation of the civil service law.
Mr.. Cowherd, Democrat; of Missouri,
called attention to some alleged violations
of the civil service law In his district.
He said it was inconsistent for the presi-
dent to play to the grand stand with
srandiloquent support of the law. while
his subordinates were entertaining the
bleachers by turning the rascals out"
Mr.. sulloway, Republican, of New Hamp-
shire. proudly proclaimed himself a spoils-
man. without any mental reservation. The
civil service law, he said. had been con-
ceived in iniquity, born in infamy and au-
ministered in cowardice and by Democrats.
He believed the government belonged to
eIeM sNInm9I s.HeMoIInS IN 'spueIL1 81
very picturesque, and kept he anti-rc-
formers in a continuous roar of approval.
After some further remarks by Mr.. Par
ker, Republican, of New Jersey, in defense
Of the law. and Mr.. Low. of New York, In
favor of a modification of the law, the
debate closed for the day.
Mr.. Moody, Republican. of Massachu-
sets. in charge of the bill, gave notice
that tomorrow he would make a motion
to close the debate. Mucn opposition was
manifested. but no test was made.
At 5 o'clock the house adjourned.