The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-07
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Animated Debate on the Bill 10 tho
House.
HON. CARL SCHuRz GETS a ROASTING
Grosvcaor I,amhastcs Him and Con-
sicmus the Inw--.lohuson OF
Indiana Defends Measure.

4
civil service question.
Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio took the floog
with an elaborate speech In opposition to
the law. In opening Mr.. Grosvenor dis
claimed any leadership Of the anti-civil
service reform forces and any purpose 10
speak for any officer of the government
executive. legislative or judicial. "All ef-
forts to cntanglo me in collision With the
president" said he, wastes so much pow
der, II believed that my relations to the
executive would be changed or modified
because | differ With him IN any repre-
sentative capacity would despisc him aa
he would desplse me If faltercd In my
convictions"
Mr.. Grosyenor said he had watched
with admiration the presidents public
career, and one OF his most prominent
characteristics had always been that he
not only did not demand subservioncy, but
dospisod man who sought favoTs BY sy-
cuphancy.
Mr. Grosvenor proceeded TO pay hls res
spects 10 tho National Civil Service reform
league and TO Carl Schura. its president.
His exooriation OF the latter was the most
scathiug that has hocn heard on the floor
of the house In months. He denounced un-
sayorngiy those who sought to read out
OF the republican party those who believed
in the repeal of the civil service laws. With
yitrioiic language he sketched the political
career of Nh, Schurx, which he character
lied as the "cbeckered, spotted, ieproua
career OF one who betrayed every parts
aud every duty 10 which he was Judge.
and whose betfayals had been his only
stock in trade in tho arena OF politics."
He traced MIR, Schurz' political history
,,,1 lnft. ,lt,t To-.
HIS trail which was not tainted with po-
lftical corruption. Yet he said this was
the man who. with other foul political
dcmagogues" at Cincinnati. under the
name OF the National Civil Service league.
had denounced him and those who thought
with him on this question. He read the
resolutions adopted al the Cincinnati
meeting, branding them MS Infamous be-
yond description.
MIR. Grcsvenors description Of the habits
OF the cuckoo ieenad with VIII and Kept
the house In a roar. Mr. Grospenor. In
replying 10 the charge made against HIM
self and his colleagues that they were
betrayIng the republican party. advcrted
10 what he called the liz, OF traitors among
the high priests of civil service reform at
the head OF which he placed George Will
lam Curtis. who abandoned the republican
party TO show that the present position oc-
cupied by the majority of the house was
wv IN CDHSunuHce WIN those lecI0rusiOilS,
For | give the members OF the civil SER
vice committee notice." said he, that
we have majority on this floor and you
can not strdnglo a majority IN the Anieri-
can congress" tApplause).
He urged that when the st. Louis plat
form was adOpted the extensions contained
In the Cleveland order of May 1896, had
not hen understood. It was not until
November. 1886 that the enormous Scoop
of that order covering $4,000 officials. was
publicly declared, Tho republicans coming
into power on platform ADOPTED by these
vast extensions were not In honor topnd
TO agree to them and H. was proner tho
president should announce in hs message
to congress that there were portions OF
those orders which never ought 10 have
been made.
Mr.. Grosvenor discussed the practical
effect of the law aud the examinations OF
the committee. giving many illustrations
of applicants who through wears nf service
had proved thor ability. but VINO Jailed
TO answer questions asked,
One of Mr.. Grosyenor's statements,
which evoked an enthusiastic outbufst from
the galleries. was 10 the nature of warn
ing that If members refused 10 listen 10
the voice of he people IN hostility 10 tl,is
law they would not be members of tho
Fifty~sixth house of representatives. lilo
argued that the people were oyerwh lining
" opposed 10 tho law and .1ld hundreds
of thousands Of republicans felt secret
sympathy with Mayor Van Wych Of New
York, Who announced that none but demo- |
Gratis should be APPOINTED 10 Jffce under |
the new city government. Governor Slack |
said n few DAYS ago that when he late |
sympathy with Mayor Van Wyck of New
York came into power there we're 10000 !
Tanlmany mon in Office and when IL expired |
there were still 1900 Tanimany men on
the pay roll.
The republicans. Mr.. Gtosvenor said. had
been Justly compensated for keeping these
enemies In their camn,
Mr.. Grosyenor profossed his adherence
to the principle of the merit system into
the theory OF examinations for office within
certain Limitations. But, he exclaimed, in
conclusion, addressing the defenders OF
the law, ~ want 10 serve notice on you
that unless you Join us In the correction
Of the abuses and the reformation OF the
law that we will Join any portion Of the
community. legislative, executive or ju-
dicial and destroy The law root and
branch" uproarIous applausel
Mr. johnson tRfp., 1nd) one OF he
ardent defenders Of the law, followed Mr..
with an extended argument In
support OF the merit system, He took oc'
CASTOR TO review the history OF the ciyil
service, pointing out that previous To the
time of Jackson, the spells system did
not exist Men were appointed 10 Office
for fitness yet never was party feeling |
stronger than then. He repndIatfd he
statements OF the adyersaries of the law
that Lincoln and Grant believed in the
spells system.
In enumerating the evils Of the spois
system Mr. Johnson said II made towards
Of legislators; stormed the White House.
interfered with the departments. II |
reached into the capitol aud shaped legis-
lntion II exalted the office broker and
attacked vllifed and calumniafed the
man. Words. he declared. |
could not do justice 10 the iDfamy o. this /
prolific evil which had debaurhed The civil |
seryice.
Speaking to The republican side OF the
house he told his colleagues that the merit |
system was a republican child. While Sen
atcr Pendleton was Its author. In incep-
tion. II was republican measure, Every
republican aenator and all except seven
republican members OF the house yoted |
for It. II has been InGorsed BY State and
National conventions. The Americas peo'
pie were behind II.
He said the surest way 10 put Bryan