The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-11
Washington, d. c., Jan. 10, 1898.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 10, 1898.
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 it were
concerned. Digit of the ten speakers
were Of the opposition. The friends
OF the law are very anxious to shut
off further debate, and in this 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 tomorrow on q motion to close
debate. The opposition Immediately
sent word to all in their ranks to be
on hand. and they say they will have
no difficulty in defeating the motion.
Mr.. Cooney (DeEl), of Missouri, IVES
the first speaker. He opposed the
whole civil service reform idea, which
he denou0ced as cheat and mar
row swindSe. A civil pension list and
offlce-holding class, he urged. were
logical and inevitable If 1t was to
continue.
Mr.. Dorr (Rep.), of West Virginia.
followed with n set speech in opposi-
tion to the law
Mr.. Cox (Dem), of Tennessee, said
he was so utterly opposed t. civil SER
vice reform that he would vote to
strike out the appropriation for the
commission and for the repeal Of the
law.
Mr.. Little (Dem.), OF Arkansas, an
tagonized the principle. theory and
practice Of the, law.
Mr.. Brumm (Rep), of Pennsylva MA,
also opposed the reform system. He
doubted, he said, whether the Presi-
dent of 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 TO be cultivated. He was
ready to vote for the repeal Of the
law.
Mr.. Mccall Rep.), or Massachusetts.
was the first speaker to-day to defend
the merit system. In replying to the
criticisms OF some Of the opponents of
the system, he raised laugh at the
expense of Mr.. Grosvenor, who. ac-
cordng to his (McCall's) calculations,
wanted over 115 per cent. of the Offices
exempted from the operation Of the
civil service law.
Mr.. Cowherd (Dem), of Missouri,
called attention to some alleged viola
tions of the civil service law In his
district. He said 1t was inconsistent
for the President to play TO the grand
stand with grandiloquent support OF
the law, while his subordinates were
entertaining the bleachers by turning
the ruscalS out.
Mr. Sulloway Republican, N. HI
proudly proclaimed himself q spoils-
man without any mental reservation.
The civil service law he said, had been
conceived in iniquity, born In infamy
and administered in cowardice. and by
Democrats. He believed the government
belonged to It's friends. Mr.. Sideways
remarks were very picturesque, and
kept the anIti-reformers in n continuous
roar Of approval.
After some further remarks by Mr.
Parker Republican. n. J.) in defense
of the law, and OF Mr.. Low CNew York;
In favor of q modification of the law,
the debate closed for the day.
AT o'clock the House adjourned.
SENATE
Bishop Merrill, d. D., Of Chicago, de-
livered the invocation at the opening
of the Senate to-day.
A bill was favorabIy reported from
the Indian Committee prohibiting rail-
road companies from charging more
than three cents n mile for passengers
through the Indian territory.
\ resolution looking 10 the filtration
Of the water used in the city OF Wash
ington having been offered and refer
red to the District of Columbia Com
mittec, Mr.. Hale (Maine) said that in
no part of the United Statcs was there
a city whose citizens are so imposed
upon and abused as to the water sup
ply as are the citizens of Washington.
"We are confronted with bad foul wa
ter" said he, 80 filthy indeed, as TO
make 1t dangerous to drink and irk-
some even to take bath"
Mr.. Gallinger IN. H) n member of
the District OF Columbia Committee,
said that the committee was mindful
OF the condition OF the water Of this
city, but he was satisfied that II was
not Impure or hurtful to any great ex-
tent. He thought system OF fitratior
would be very expensive, but he assured
the Senate that the committee would