New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09
WANT THE LAW MODIFIED.
ANOTHER CIVIL SERVICE DEBATE IN
THE HOUSE.

SPEECHES AGAINST THE PRESENT SYSTEM MADE
BY MEssRs. coRLss. HEPBURN AND
cIARKE-EuIoG1Es OF THE LATE
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT.
[BY rELroRAFH TIRE TRIeUNE.l
Washington. Jan. S-There are some indications
that the present debate on the Civil Service VIII
run Its course In the House OF Representatives
early in the week. that a vote can be taken on
the Legislative Executive and Judicial Appropria-
tion bill. which has furnished the pretext for it,
The attendance Of members to-day during the two
hours devoted TO the subject was exceedingly slim.
despite the fact that of the strongest speeches
yet delivered against the merit system as 1t has
boon administered made by Colonel Hepburn
II different sort Of speech from those or
Messrs. Grosvenor Lands. Pearson and some OF
the other opponents OF the existing status, and II
did not win so much applause from the galleries,
but IL perhaps a more thoughtful, weighty
and generally effective discourse than any OF tlem.
being freer from rancor and vitupera lion. and ad-
dressed more than 20 prejudice.
Tho debate. although irrelevant will not DO 81
together proftess. and Il may result, even with
legislative action In correcting the more serious
errors that have been committed in the admins
tration OF the Civil Service law. especially during
the last four years. That such errors have been
made and ought 10 be corrected has been clearly
disclosed in the debate. and frankly admitted by
the advocates Of the merit system These errors
can be corrected by the President Of the United
States and there is little reason TO doubt that
this will be done at the proper time after he has
considered all the facts.
THE TENURE-OF-SERvICE QUESTION.
Some questions have been raised. however. during
the debate which 1t may require legislation TO set
tie One OF these Is the tenure Of service in the
civil employment Of the Government. Mr.. Moody.
OF Massachusetts, Of the stanchest defenders
of the merit system In Congress. admitted in his
speech that some action by Congress would be re-
CURED 10 make several necessary changes in the
law: and what he said that subject may be
profably considered both by the supporters Of the
law and the regulations, as amended" by the last
Adminstra lion. and by the out-and-out enemies
well the unfrendly critics OF the existing law
and regulations Mr.. Moody said. in part:
In the first place, ! would say that those who
entered into the CLASSIFIED service otherwise than
by the examinations prescribed by law. and who
are incuGed therein and protected In their tenure
by Executive order ought IN all fairness TO be COM
PEELED 10 submit 10 some test OF their efficiency
lest whlch should be gradually apphed IN the de-
partmenis where they are employed II they were
unable to meet these tests with ali the advantages
OF inc expenence whlch they nave mad tnen III
the interest of the public service they ought to
appoin.ees protected in their tenure by Executive
sense OF injustice and inequality which now SO
largely prevails would be relieved Tess Of the
kind which l have mentioned now being i'm
posed. am told, in the Treasury Department, and
SUES t imposed WY should they not oe eS
service? Under this Administration no faithful and
Sap@De oiiicer need fear them, and for others we
believe that We have got to do something also
most say 10 restore the efficiency of the service We
have tne testimony OF a nigh Treasury offcia that
ana that this condition is a menace 10 the Civil
knowledge Of the V Service at Washington. Know
edge such as have obtained by my short service
upon the Appropriations Committee. knows that
this Is no; peculiar TO the Treasury. 1t extends
ihroughout NE service. We must find some way
an eqavaent for the saaes Which the Govern
!, does not lie. Mr. Chairman in the esta Adjustment
costs The first step in the esiabshment Of civil
pension list was taken the other day when the
employees upon what they themselves termed "a
practical pension. notifying them In effect that they
would retain their tenure Of office in the sub
ordinate places assigned them during the rest Of
The merit system Mr. b Chairman does not pre-
j was glad 10 see the other day thar a convention
Of those who believe in that system declared against
pie bear cheerfuly the burden of pensions for the
cee fna bon yne So
with dismay at the beginning Of civil pension.
reTaced II heads Of departments and bureaus had
not the sympathies which arise out OF association.
and were able to resist the pressure for retention
70 command they could be depended upon 70 sepa-
But as long as men are human and do not act as
iNeXOrably as machines mis- VIII not he done. Untll
then we must rely upon the law TO rid the service
OF incompetents The appointment for definite
term, the retirement annually OF a certain per-
Centage OF the employees. or the retirement OF all
named have each been suggested as
remedy. Some OF these plans combina-
the standard of service which high rate OF
pensation gives the Government the right 10 exact.
Further on Colonel Hepburn Of Iowa. interrupted
Mr. Moody and said: while the gentleman is dis
GUESSING this matter OF the Railway Mail Service.
will he give his views upon the subject Of the
organ zing OF political organization within that
order for the purpose Of coercng members Of Con-
gress to increase the salaries Of the employees IN
that service
Mr.. Moody promptly responded follows "Mr.
Chairman: / have hesitation in giving my
views upon that subject. I expressed them pub
lcly more than year ago in the neighborng city
Of Philadelphia. I believe that is OF the evils
that must guard against under the present
II is a danger which should be guarded against by
law and agree entirely with the Implication In
the suggestion OF the gentleman from Iowa that
that is a dangerous thing which the law must
crush out"
Mr.. Moody. Il will be observed conceded that
amendatory legislation well executive action
necessary TO carry out the purposes and OBJ
jects OF Civil Service Reform
THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
Mr.. Corss the first speaker to-day. He
IN favor OF radical notifications Of the law. lie