The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-07
he WALKS ALL OVER IT
Then Grosvenor Fairly Jumps on
the Civil Service Law.
HE WHOOPS AND DANCES
He Scalps Carl Schurz and Kicks Over
the Corpse of George William Cur
tis-Johnson Defends the Law.
Galleries Go Wild.

changed broadsides in the house to-
day The heaviest guns on each side
We're brought into action. Mr.. 6res-
svenor of Ohio and Mr.. Johnson of lndi-
ana each made exhaustive speeches,
and kept their respective SIDES IN
constant furore. The debate was more
active than yesterday The crowded
galleries, which were plainly in sym
patty with the opponents or the law,
became so very noisy IN their Demon
strations of approval at one juncture
that the chair was compelled TO can
them TO order. Mr.. Johnson was
warmly sustained by the friends OF the
law on the floor. but he got very little
applause from the galleries. Mr.. Lloyd
of Missouri was the only other speaker.
He favored the repeal of the law
The house to-day promptly resumed
debate on the civil service question,
and Grosvenor of Ohio took the floor
with an elaborate speech in objection TO
the law. Grosyenor dtsclaimed any
leadership OF the anti-civii service re-
form forces and any purpose to speak
for any officers of the government. ex-
ecutive, legislative or judicial
.Ali efforts to entangle me in COLL
sion with the president" said he, is a
waste of so much powder. If ! be-
1ieved that my relations to the execu-
tive would be changed or modified be-
cause / differ with him In any repre-
him, and he would desplse me III
faltered in my convictions"
Grosvenor said he had watch with
admiration the presidents public ca
reer and one of his most prominent
characteristics has always been that
he not only did not demand subservi
ency, but despised men who sought Ia
vors by sycophaney. Grosvenor pro-
ceeded to pay his respects 10 the ma
tional civil service reform league, ana
to Carl Schurz, its president his eN-
coriation of the latter vas the most
scathing heard on the floor of the
house in months. He denounced un-
sparingly those who sought TO read
out of the republican party those who
don't believe in the civil service law.
With fierce language he sketehed the
political career of Schurz, which he
characterized as the cneckered,
spotted, leprous career of one who be-
trayed every party and every duty to
which he was bound. and whose be-
trayals had been his only stock in
trade in the arena of politics"
Mr. Grosvenor's description of the
habits of the cuckoo" teemed with
wit, and kept the house in a roar. Mr.
Grosyenor in replying to the charge
made against himself and his colleagues
that they We're betraying the republic
can party. adverted to what he called
the list of traiiers among the high
priests of civil service reform, at the
head of which he placed George VIII
liam Curtis, who abandoned the repub-
lican party in 1884. He reviewed the
platform declarations of the republican
party to show that the position occu-
pied by the majority of the house was
not inconsistent with these declara-
fions. For / give the members of
the civil service commission notice" he
said, that we have a majority on this
floor and you cannot strange ma
jority in the American congress. Cap
plause.) He argued that when the
st. Louis platform was adopted. the ex-
tensions contained in the Cleveland or
der OF May 10, 1896 had not been I'M
derstood. IT was not until November,
1896, until the enormous scope OF the
order covering 10000 officials, was pub
licly declared. The republicans coming
into power on its platform, and by these
vast extensions, were not in honor
bound to agree to them. and II was
proper that the president should an
nounce In his message to congress that
there were portions of these orders
which never ought to have been made
Mr.. Grosvenor discussed the nracti-
cal effect of the law and the extensions
of the commission. giving many illus
trations of applicants who. through
years of service, had proved their ahil-
ity, but who failed to answer the ques-
tons asked.
One of Mr.. Grosvenor's statements
which evoked an enthusiastic outbursi
from the galleries was in the nature of
a warning that If the members refused
10 listen to the voice of hostility to this
law, they would not be members of the
Fffty-sixth house of representatives
He argued that the people We're over
whelmingly opposed to the law and
said that hundreds of thousands of re,
publicans felt a secret sympathy Will
Mayor Van Wyck of New York. Mht
announced that none but democrats
would be appointed to office under tn,
new city government.
Governor Black had said a few day
ago when the late "unlamented' renub
lican government came into power Their
were 1900 Tammany men in office. am
when il retired there were still 1900
Tammany men on the pay rolls. Tn
republicans, Mr.. Grosvenor said, hai
been justly punished for keeping thes
enemies in their camps, Mr.. Grosveno
professed his adherence to the principl
of the merit system and the theory q
examinations for office with certain
limitations But" he exclaimed Il
conclusion, addressing the defenders o
the law, Il want 70 serve notice on yoi
that unless you join us.in the correction
of the abuses and the reformation Q
the law. that we will join any portion
pf the community, executive. lagislatiS
or judicial. and destroy the Law. roc
and branch" fUproarious applause 1
the galleries1.
80 Mr. johnson, republican of Indiana
one OF the ardent defenders OF the idN
Followed Mr.. Grosvenor with an eS
I TENDED argument in support of IN
merit system. He took occasion to r.
view the history Of the civil sersie'
mounting out that previous To the tim
Of jackson the spells system did NJ
exist Men We're appointed to Office IL
4itness, yet never was party feelin
stronger than then. In England Nhef
asseA-I1e merit system prevailed. party splr
~~ns most vigorous. 1t Was absurd. h
fed. to say that party spir