New-York tribune., 1898-01-11
NINE CONGREsSMEN OPPOSE THE LAW.
ONLY TWO SPEAK IN ITS Defence YESTERDAY
MR. sULIOwAY A SPOKESMAN WITHOUT

ONLY TWO SPEAK IN ITS Defence YEsTERDAY-
Mr. sU1IowAY SPOKESMAN WITHOUT
ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.
Washington Jan 1O-The opponents OF the Civil
Service law had much the best OF the debate In
the House today SO far as the number Of those
engaged In !. we're concerned. Nine of the eleven
.reske-s were Of the opposition. Tho friends OF
the law are very anxious to shut off further de-
bate and IN this they will have the cooperation
Of Speaker Reed and the Rules Committee Mr..
Moody who has charge Of the bill. gave notice
that he would test the sense Of the House to-
morrow on a motion to close debate. The oppos,-
lion Immediately sent word to all in their ranks
10 be on hand, and they say they VIII have no dih-
Guilty in defeating the motion.
The attendance In the House was light. but the
galleries were well filled. BY unanimous consent
next Monday was substituted for to-day for the
consideration Of District OF Columbia business
The Civil Service debate was then resumed, ana
Ny Cooney Dem, Mo- took the floor. he op-
posed the whole Civil Service Reform idea, which
he denounced as a cheat and narrow swndle a
civil pension list and ofiice-holding class he
argued were logical and inevitable. II 1t was TO
continue.
Mr. Dorr NRep. w. Va) followed with set
speech in opposition 10 the law
Mr Cox Dem. Tenn said he was so utterly
on,osed 10 Civil Service reform that he would
vote 20 strike out the appropriation for the Com
mission and for the repeal Of the law.
Mr. Little Dem. Ark) antagonized the prin-
ciple theory and practice of the law
Nh Rrurn Rep.. PENN also opposed the reform
system He doubted. he said. whether the Presi-
don, o, the United States members OF the Supreme
Court Senate or House. could pass some Of the
Civil Service examinations. He defended what was
known as the political pull" which he said ought
10 be cultivated. All young men should nave such
Influence and II they did not have IT, 1t was the best
evidence that they were unworthy OF political priv
neges He was ready to vote for the repeal Of the
Law
Mr. Mccall Rep.. Mass) was the first speaker
TODAY IN defend the merit system. In replying to
The criticisms OF some OF the opponents OF the
system ne raised a laugh al the expense OF MI
Grosvenor who according 20 his tMcCaiFS calcuia-
lions wanted over ll5 per cent OF the Offices
emp,od from the operation OF the civil Service
Law tn demonstrate the economy Of the merit
system Mr. Mccall contrasted the number OF en-
poyes in the classified service In single depart
men IN isS3 when they numbered b9SO with the
number In 1886 DAB In the legislative branch OF
the Government under the spoils system the num-
her q, e,,lo,os during that period increased from
l;4 10 32s Mr. Mccall said that the secret OF the
spoIsman's attack on the Civil Service was found
In the fact ,ho the disappointed ofce-seekers were
more potent IN politics than those IN once
Mr. Cowher1 Dem, MOI called attention to some
alleged Violations OF the Civi oer'ice ID" IN
Tor TIE President 20 play 10 the grands'an,a , with
rSlnn,ess support oi gn beachers by turning
NJ sulloway (Rep y. H) proudly prociaimed rasdT1e
ton. The Ciy Service law, he SAID had Deeh pee,
Conceived in iniquy born IN mann nnu M be-
heyed the Government belonged 10 us .J,, nd
Mr.. Sllowavs remarks were very picturesque ulI5 ~
apSfo1ai '"''-'S'0'''''' - -. v- p,rs.r Reo
y j. in defence OF the la W. and OF Mr.; Low CheP,
y " in favor OF a mobilization OF inc ia"' '"'
Mr.. Moodv Rep. Mass. in charge o. the BILL