The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-06
I1rvice law ID his department.

6urv1ce law IN his department.
n, Cockerill Of Missouri was on his
instantly upon the conclusion of the
44ing Of Secretary Shorman's commu-
Coming from Secretary Sherman.
{ Who served long years in congress, this
Iommunication must be regarded as a
very remarkable document" said he.
The president himself, as Secretary
6heruan well knows, has ample author
ftx to modify the law in accordance with
the Recommendations of his secretary of
state.
THE extension of the operation of the
law has been made from time to time
by executive, and not by legislative ac-
tfon, For a secretary of state to come
to congress for such relief as Mr.. Sher-
man requests, when his own chief, the
president of the United States, has full
power to act, is presumptuous."
Allison of Iowa said that in making
his reply Secretary Sherman had simply
compiled with the explicit request of the
senate and he had the resolution read
to show that it called for recommended
lions or suggestions for notifications
that cabinet officials might have to
make.
Allison did not think that senators
ought to criticise members of the cabi-
net for furnishing to the senate precisely
what it asked for.
Cockerill thought 1t was a "catch"
resolution, which had been framed by
the senator from Illinois (Cullom), but
be thought it was unnecessary to con-
sumo the time of congress in the discus
sion of this question unless there was
desire on the part of the presidents par
ty to tie his hands.
Cullom of Illinois, the author of the
resolution calling for the information in
the course of some remarks bearing
upon it said in a general way he was in
favor of the civil service law. He was
free to say, however, that notifications
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 vio-
lated by the heads of the government
departments.
las 1t is now administered" said he,
it is hiss and 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
tar from carrying out the original in
tention of the authors of the law.
Jones of Arkansas declared that it was
evident that the authors of the law had
not intended that inefficient persons
should not be removed by the heads of
government He held that the execu-
tive heads Of departments ought to have
the right to remove incompetent EN-
ployes without reference to the action
or opinion of the civil service commits
sion
At $40 p. M, on motion of Carter, the
senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned.
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
! The name Of Chas. Page Bryan, to be
minister to China, was presented to the
senate in executive session today and
referred to the committee on foreign
relations. When the nomination was
first received from the White House the
vice president withheld it from the SEN
ate at the request of the president, who
was induced to prefer the request by
senators opposed to Mr.. Bryan's con-
firmation. The nomination has been
held up thus for three weeks or more.
Mr.. Bryan's friends now accept the re-
lease of the nomination as an indication
that the president desires confirmation.