The sun., 1898-01-07
CIVIL SERVICE DEBATE.
GEN GRosVENOR PArs MS COM
PIIMENTs TO CARR SEIZURE.

Rsfers to HIN n MAN who HAS Betrayed
Every rnrty with which ~" Was Ever
Connected-Givca Notice That He Will Help
Any Party to Repeal the Civil service law.
1, WASHINGTON, Jan. 8-The debate on tho
Civil Service law was continued in the House
to-day. Gen. Grosvenor Of Ohio was the first
spenker He referred TO the declaration Of the
National Civil Service Reform Convention In
Cincinnati on Dec. II last, that any attempt in
!, Congress to modify tho Civil Service law, ex-
= cent to secure It's further extension would be
a betrayal OF party foalty, OF which no man of
honor would be guilty. That convention was
presided over, he said, by man Carl Schurz)
of whose checkered spotted, leprous career
no would have occasion to speak latcr-a man
who had betrayed every party organization
and duty with which he was ever connected,
which betrayal had constituted his sole stock
in trade in the arena of politics. The civil SER
vice reform movement Gen. Grosvcnor de-
,scribed as a political conspiracy, controlled by
two Of the foulest political demagogucs in the
United States, a conspiracy which had every
department OF the Government under its ban
and domination. He referred again to Carl
Schurz as "a political prostitute, who comes
from his political plundering to assail the Amer
can Congress with a declaration like that"
tApplausc.l
MIR. Grosvenor reviewed the history and plat
forms Of the Republican party TO show that in
none of them was tho civil service plank an i'm.
portant or cardinal feature. The declarations
on this subject, he sad were the mere orna-
ments and make-weights OF the platforms. lie
said that tho bill introduced to-day by MIR.
Evans, from the conference OF Republican mem
bors was entirely In line with the intentions
and desires OF the Republican party, That ,ha
RopuSiiesns IN ihe Iouse % and tel tie COM ,ne
mittee on Civil service Reform that it cannot
strangle majorities on the floor OF this House..
In conclusion, having spoken two hours, Mr..
Grosvenor said, speaking to those who opposed
ave give you notice now, and give notice to
the country that 4 y0p viii not Join us In ,t the
have grown up under its administration, we
will join hands with any party in this com
wipe the whole thing off the statute books.
Mr. johnson G,ep Ind, made the first ex.
tended speech in the debate thus far in defence
of the law and its administration. and In adyo-
cacy Of its extension he attacked the "spoils
system" and said its demands upon members of
Congress made hypocrtes. towards and slaves
Of them. II he stood In his place all night,
ali tho language at his command he should fail
to describe the infamy of subject which ought
to b9 ri driven on from politics ,,,,, ., Nss,,,,
against the law followed The committee then
rose and the House adjourned.
OPINION OF A BUREAU CHIEF AND ARMY Of
lts F1CER.
Major Fred Bracket, Chief Of the Division
of Appointments in the Treasury Department,
was the only witness to-day before the Senate
committee Investigating the workings Of tho
, Civil Service law. While favoring tho Civil
Service law, he said he would modify II SO that
none but partisans would be appointed by the
party in power none but those in sympathy
with az Administration should be charged with
carrying out its policy. He submitted many
notifications of the law and rules, some of
which were on the lines recommended by Sec.
retary Gage whiic others were far more radical
! and sweeping.
A letter from Major Hanbury. Corps of En-
gineers in charge of the river improvements at
st. Louis, was laid before the committee. 1t
said that the application of civil service rules
Ito those employed in river and harbor opera
tops had resulted In absolute failure and had
been productive Of no good whatever to the
service.