Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13

Both branches of the Natiogal LegisTa-
ture are again i'm session. having recon-
vened on "Wednesday, after the holiday
recess of two weeks.
The civil service debate began in the
House the first day, based on the item in
in the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill for the maintenance OF
the commission. 1t promises to continue
for several days. But ii Is generally ad-
mitted on both sides that the appropria-
ton In the bill will stand, as the anti
civil service reformers do not seriously
contemplate an attempt to strike 1t out.
The debate therefore Is only preliminary
to any program which the enemies OF the
new law MAY agree upon.
The members of the House are divided
into three camps on this question-those
who stand by the law, those who advo-
cate its entire repeal and those who de-
sire its modification. These divisions
were apparent in the debate on Wednes-
day, the nature Of which was not as stir
ring as had been anticipated. Messrs.
Moody Rep) of Massachusetts, Grow
Rep) of Pennsylvania and Greene (RepD
of Nebraska defended the law; Messrs.
Dockery Dem.) of Missouri, Robb Dem.)
of Missouri and Pearson Qtep) of North
Lands Rep.) of Indiana favored modih-
cations of the law.
The Vice-President laid before the Sen
! ate the reply of Secretary Sherman to the
Senate resolution requesting information
as to the application of the civil service
law in his department. From considera-
ton of this reply the Senate drifted into
debate upon the civil service question
that was at times quite acrimonious. Mr..
Allen of Nebraska spoke on the immigra-
lion bill and declared in favor of consular
inspection of immigrants.
Secretary Gage in his report to Con-
gress on the civil service recommended
exemption from the classified service Of
| about $500 places. They comprise dep
uty revenue collectors, lighthouse keep
ers, custodians and janitors. These ex-
emptions are in the Treasury Depart
| ment, but the other cabinet officers are
preparing reports making similar recon-
mendations.
Senator Teller introduced concurrent
resolution declaring the bonds of the
United States payable in silver dollars,
and asserting that ''to restore to their
coinage such silver coins as n legal tender
in payment of said bonds, principal and
interest, is not in violation of the public
faith nor in derogation of the rights of the
public creditor" The resolution was re-
ferred to the Finance Committee, but as
| n majority of the members of that COM
mittee are friendly to silver Mr.. Teller
anticipates that it will be favorably re-
ported.
Thursday in the House was consumed
by civil service debate, the executive, leg
islative and judicial appropriation bill be-
ing before the House. Speeches were
made by Representatives Grosvenor
,Ohio), Johnson 0ndiana) and Lloyd mis-
souri,. In the Senate the bill providing
for the holding of a congress of the repre-
sentatives of different Indian tribes OF
the United States at Omaha in 1898 and
appropriating $4,000 therefor was pass
ed. A bill appropriating $175.000 for
public building at Fergus Falls, Mimi,
was passed The bill to protect the name
and insignia of the Red Cross was passed.
The civil service debate continued in
the House on Friday. All efforts to fix a
time for its termination failed. The inter-
est in the discussion does not seem to be
waning. The debate was without mark
ed incident. The speakers were Messrs.
Gillette OF Massachusetts. Burton of
Ohio. Republicans, and Fitzgerald Dem,
Mass), in support of the law; Messrs.
Cummings (Dem., n. ", Faris (Rep.,
IndD, Mahaney. (Rep., n. ", briggs
(Dem.. n. ", and Bradley Dem., N. W,
in opposition to and Mr.. Kerr Rep., Ohio
in favor of the modification of the law. In
the Senate, Senator Allen introduced
resolution declaring that the United
States should begin the free coinage Of
silver at the ratio Of 16 to /. Senator
Teller addressed the Senate denying that
there was conspiracy to disrupt the
relations between the President and Sec
rotary Gage.
Two hours of Saturdays session of the
House were devoted to the civil service
debate, during which Messrs. Coriss
Rep., Mich.) Hepburn Rep., Iowa), and
Clarke (Rep., n. H. addressed the House
in opposition to the law as it now stands.
The remainder OF the session was con-
sumed by the friends of the late Repre-
sentative Wright of Massachusetts, in
eulogy OF his memory. The Senate was
not in session.