The record-union., 1898-01-06


ing upon it said in general way he
was in favor of the civil service law.
He was free to say, however. that mod
ifications in its application might be
made with advantage.
Cullom was interrupted by Allen of
Nebraska, with the charge that the
civil service law was openly and daily
violated by the heads of the Govern
ment departments. "As it is now ad-
said he, "It is a hiss and a
by-word among the people"
Resuming, Cullom said he had no in
formation as to specific violations of
the law, but he would like to have the
whole matter investigated, as he was
satisfied that the authorities were very
far from carrying out the original IN
tention of the authors Of the law.
Jones of Arkansas declared that 1t
was evident that the authors of the
law had not intended that inefficient
persons should not be removed by the
heads of Government departments. he
held that the executive heads Of de-
.partments ought to have the right to
remove incompetent employees without
reference to the action or opinions of
the Civil Service Commission.
At $40 p. M, on the motion of Car
ter, the Senate went into executive ses-
sion, and soon after adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The civil
service debate began in the House to-
day, based on the item in the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial appropTia-
ton bill for the maintenance OF the
commission. 1t promises to continue at
least until the end of this week, with
possibility that it may run longer. But
it is generally admitted on both sides
that the appropriation in the bill will
stand, as the civil service reform
ers do not seriously contemplate an at
tempt to strike it out. The debate,
therefore, is only preliminary to any
programme which the enemies of the
law may agree upon
The members of the House are dl-
vided into three camps on this ques-
ton, those who stand by the law, those
who advocate it's entire repeal and
those who desire it's modification. These
divisions were apparent in the debate
to-day, the nature of which was not as
stirring as had been anticipated.
Messrs. Moody (R) of Massachusetts,,
GE Svenor of Pennsylvania and Green
Pop) of Nebraska, defended the law;
Messrs. Dockery O) of Missouri, Robb
CD of Missouri and Pearson (R) OF
North Carolina opposed it outright,
while Lands (R) of Indiana favored
notifications of the law.
There was not a very large attend
ance of members when the House con-
vened to-day after the holiday recess.
The galleries were crowded 1t was
noted that, with one or two exceptions,
the members of the Ohio delegation,
both Democrats and Republicans, were
absent.
Without any preliminary business the
House went into Committee of the
Whole to resume consideration Of the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
propriation bill All tn features of
the bill had been disposed IF except the
appropriation for the Civil Service
Commission, upon which, by previous
arrangement, there was to be an in
definite general debate
1t was proposed that Moody (R.) OF
Massachusetts and Dockery CD of
Missouri control the time for and
against.
Hepburn R) of Iowa suggested that
it was a three-cornered contest. THE
Democrats" said he, desire the entire
repeal of the law. Some of those on
this side desire it to stand as it is,
while a large body Of us desire a whole
some modification Of it's provisions"
s'Why does the gentlemen aver that
all the Democrats on this side of the
House desire the entire repeal of the
law?' inquired Clark CD of Missouri
Simply because that would be wrong,
and your side is always wrong" re-
tortcd Hepburn, amid great laughter.
All suggestions as to the control Of
the tine failed at last, and the Chair
recognis ed Grow (R.) of Pennsylvania,
who spoke for twenty minutes in sup
port of the general principle Of the civil
service law.
Moody R.) of Massachusetts follow
ed with an admirable defense of the
law, which, he said, protected officials
who received $40, 600, 600 in salaries per
annum. Yet, he said, he had no SYM
pathy with those who believed the law
was perfect, and should only be modi-
fed by extension He thought those
who were placed under the protection
of the law by executive order should be
compelled to submit to a test of their
efficiency, and he also believed that
some n.thod should be found to preserve
if not to restore the efficiency of the
service. He defended the administra-
ton of the law and the character of
the examinations of the commission
In conclusion he declared that the
hostility to the law was superficial. The
sentiment of the Republican party. he
insisted, was Overwhelmingly in favor
of the parry keeping the solemn pledge
it had given to the people.
Dockery Cd of Missouri opened the
debate in opposition to the law, which,
he argued, was odious to the Ameri-
can people and should be repealed in
toto. He pointed out that the striking
out OF the appropriation for the COM
mission would accomplish nothing, as
the commissioners could sue the Court
Of Claims for their salaries. The cour-
ageous thing TO do, he said, was to pass
a bin aimed directly at the law
Roob CD of Missouri and Pearson
CR) of North Carolina followed in OPP
position to the law The latter. who
has been very active in his hostility to
the civil service law. contended that life
tenure inevitably meant civil pension
list. whether the pensions should be
paid directly out Of the treasury or
indirectly from a retiring fund COL
lected from employees for that purpose.
Clark CD of Missouri asked whether
the Republicans who We're hostile to
the law intended TO bring in a bill for
its repeal, to which Pearson emphatic
ally raIlied in the affirmative
viii you gentlemen on the other side