The Topeka state journal., 1898-01-12
REED DID IT.
The Speaker Ended the Long
Civil Service Debate.
Jerry Simpson Declares Reed
is the Whole Thing.
THEY Do NOT MIX.
The Kansas Congressman Says
the Speaker Never
NoTA-
THEY Do NOT MIX
Consults Him and He Never
COnsults the Speaker.

Washington, Jan. 12.-The civil service
debate, which was inaugurated in the
house week ago, ended yesterday. 1t
opened with a row, but ended very tame
ly. There was not even a vote on the
appropriation in the executive legislative
and judicial appropriation bill for the
commission upon which the debate was
predicated- The Republicans who are
seeking to modify or repeal the law de-
cided to let the debate come to a close,
but it required the casting vote of the
speaker to accomplish this. There are
conflicting statements as to the situation,
in which the future conduct OF the war
against the civil service law is left. All
the Republican opponents of the law
agreed that the fight is to be kept up
and it is positively stated by Mr. Pearson
(Rep-, N. c. that assurances have been
received from those in authority in the
House that an opportunity will be given
in the future for the consideration of
bill to modify the law. But from other
sources the statement cannot be confirm
ed.
The debate was quite dull until the cos
ing hour, when Mr.. Simpson, the Kansas
PopuHst, enlivened it with some refer
ence to the Ohio senatorial election. Mr..
Bailey, the Democratic leader, made
clear statement of the minority position.
to repeal but not to modify the law. The
principal speech of the day was made by
Mr.. Brosius, chairman of the civil service
commission, who defended the law in
two hour speech.
Mr.. Pearson (Rep., N. C.) asked how
the statement that the civil service law
was economical could be reconciIed with
the fact that the employees of the gov
ernment haa almost doubled since 1893.
he Of fFa pix
service commission were very limited.
They could do little except at the direc-
ton of the president, and when members
hurled their javelins at the commission
they went over their heads and buried
themselves in the f1anks of the chief ex-
ecutive. Speaking of Mr.. Grosvenor's at
tack on Carl Schurz, Mr.. BrOsius said the
latter probably threw it aside after he had
read it, with CarIyle's remark: Another
foul chimney caught fire"
After some remarks by Messrs. Bell
Pop., Col) and Mr.. Eddy (Rep-, Minn.),
Mr.. Simpson Pop., Kan.) enlivened the
closing hour of the debate with a refer
ence to the senatorial contest in Ohio. He
said the debate had been prolonged while
the Republicans out in Ohio were making
promises to the boys in the trenches in
the interest of Senator Hanna. 1t was
all bluff, said Mr.. Simpson. Nothing was
election was secured the mask was thrown
off and a vote was to be taken on this
bill Whether the house would have an
opportunity later to consider bill for
the modification or repeal of the law
would depend on the speaker, said Mr.
Simpson.
He is the whole thing exclaimed Mr.
"and runs the house" Oaugh-
ter)
.Iave you consulted the speaker
asked Mr.. Quigg.
mo" replied Mr.. Simpson, "he never
me and I never consult him.
Mr.. Bailey (Dem., Tex). the leader of
the minority. closed the debate with some
remarks defining the attitude of the Dem
ocrats. It was difficult, he said, to be-
lieve in the sincerity of the other side.
when in one breath the Republicans VOW
ed their adherence to the law and in the
next demanded its practical destruction
If the law was good, he said, it ought
to be extended; if it was not. it should De
The Democrats, he said, were
ready to wipe it off the statute books.
They did not believe in life tenure. While
the repeal of the law might turn some of
their friends out of office, they stood by
their party platform. With the conclu-
sion of Mr. Bailey's remarks the time ex-
pired and the bill was reported TO the
house 1t was then discovered that those
who desired to vote to strike out the ap-
preparation for the civil service commits
sion had neglected to make the motion in
of the whole. No vote, there
fore. could be taken and the bill was
passed without division.
The agricultural and urgent deficiency
bills were reported to the house and at
5 20 D. m the house adjourned.