The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-06
SESSION OF THE SENATORS.
CIVIL SERVICE LAW THE MAIN
TOPIC OF DEBATE.


sumptuOus by Senator CockreII in
view of the Fact That the Presi-
dent Is Vested With the Power
Asked for by the Secretary OF
sfate-ScnatOr CuIIOm Advocates
Modification of the Law AS 1t Now
Exists.
washington, Jan. 5.-The presentation
of the replies of the members of the cab
met 10 the resolution calling for informa-
ton as to the application of the civil serv-
ice law 10 the various departments of the
government, together with the considera-
lion of the bill establishing a bureau for
the twelfth census, precipitated sharp
civil service debate in the Senate to-day.
Mr.. Cullom of Illinois, the author of The
resolution, thought that modification of
the law ought to be made. as the authori-
ties had drifted away from the original
intention of the author of the law
MIR. Allen of Nebraska charged that the
law was openly and daily violated, and
that it was hiss and a by-word among
the people.
Mr. Cockren, DEM, of Missouri declared
1t was presumptuous in Secretary Sher-
man TO make recommends tons to con-
gress that certain positions in his depart
ment should be excepted from the CLASH
fed service, when the President had fun
authority to make the exceptions he rec
commended. He thought that an effort
was being made to tie the Presidents
hands.
Mr. Davis, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, gave notice that he
would next Monday, and daily thereafter.
move that the Senate consider In execu-
tive session the Hawaiian annexation
treaty until ii was disposed of finally
There was only small attendance in
the Senate to-day.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska spoke on the i'm
migra ton bill and declared in favor of
consular inspection of immigrants
Mr.. Carter of Montana called up the bill
TO provide for taking the next census, and
argued against making the appointments
through the civil service commission, say
ing it was a preliminary measure and pro-
vided only for thirty-two places
report by Secretary Sherman on the
civil service was read, and Mr.. Cockerell
said it was a most remarkable document
being a request upon congress for legisla-
tive action which was in the power of his
chief by executive authority.
Mr.. Teller, rep, of Colorado, spoke at
some length in support of the idea that
the census bureau should not be partisan
bureau, and that its employees should
therefore, be placed in the classified SER
vice. He was particularly anxious that
honest competent men should perform the
work of the next census, because he had
knowledge of intentional misstatements
and Intentional frauds that had been per-
petuated by one statistical department of
worlds production of silver was ten mill
ions of dollars larger than it actually was.
He was prepared he said to establish this
statement if necessary to jury If the
men whose appointment is provided for
by this bill are competent they ought to
have the protection of the classified SER
vice. Properly administered said he the
civil service law was a wise measure
Quite unexpectedly. lively civil service
debate was precipitated just at the close
of the session.
Mr. Carter, in charge of the bill, said
he would have the measure printed with
amendments that had been offered hereto
fore, and for that purpose would consent
TO have the bill temporarily laid aside. He
then moved that the Senate proceed to the
consideration of executive business.
Pending the passage of that motion the
vice president laid before the Senate the
reply of Secretary Sherman to the Senate
resolution requesting information as to
the application of the civil service law
in his department
Mr. Cockrell was upon his feet imme
diately upon the conclusion of the reading
of Secretary Sherman's communication
Coming from Secretary Sherman, who
served many years in congress, this COM
munication must be regarded as a very
remarkable document" said he 1.-THE
President himself, as Secretary Sherman
Wen knows, has ample authority to modi-
~ the law in accordance with the recon-
mendations of his Secretary of State The
extension of the opera ton of the civil ser
vice law has been made from time to time
oy executive action. For Secretary of
State to come to congress for such relief
as MI Sherman requests when his own
Shlet, the President of the United States
mas tull power to act, is presumptuous
Mr.. Allison said that, in making his re-
ply, Secretary Sherman had simply com
Pled with the explicit request of the SEN
hte, and he had the resolution ready to
snow that 1t called for recommendation
OF suggestions for notifications that cab
met oilcers might have to make. Mr. AL
lIson did not think that senators ought to
cIltlclse members of the cabinet for FUR
hlshlng to the Senate precisely what it
had asked for.
Mr.. Cockrell thought it was a "catch"
resolution, which had been framed by the
senator from Illinois (Mr. Cullom), but he
thought 1t was unnecessary to consume
lhe time of congress in the discussion of
this question, unless there was a desire
on the part of the Presidents party TO
lie his hands
Mr.. Cullom of Illinois, the author of the
resolution calling for information in the
course of some remarks bearing upon it,
sald IN general way that he was in ia
Nor of the civil service law. He was free
10 say, however, that notifications in
JUS application might be made with advan-
tage.
MI Cullom was interrupted by Mr. AL
len OF Nebraska, with the charge that the
c.Vil service law was openly and daily
violated by the heads of government de-
partmants
AS IL is now administered" he said,
1t is hiss and by-word among the peo-
pie"
Resuming, Mr.. Cullom said he had no
information as to specific violations of
Inc law but he would like to have the
whole matter investigated, as he was sat
iSned that the authorities were very far
rom carrying out the original intention
OF the authors of the law.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas declared IL was
EVIDENT that the authors of the law had