The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-11
Leaders of the "Modifiers' Rallying
Their Forces in the Hope of Defeat
ing the Closure Motion.
VIEWS OF Mr.. PERRY S. HEATH
HE THINKS CHANGES SHOULD BE
MADE, If FOUND NECESSARY.
Postmaster General Gary's Reply to
the Senate ResOIutiOn-Represen
tive Landis's Speech Commended.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON Jan. 10.-The civil-serv-
ice debate in the House of Representatives
and the reply of Cabinet officers to the
Senate resolution of inquiry continue to be
the chief legislative topic among congress-
men and politicians. There will probably be
a test of strength in the House tomorrow
between those who wish to modify the
law and members who prefer the act to
stand as it is. The test will come on a mo-
ton to close debate. The "modifiers" are
rallying their forces and expect to prevent
the adoption of closure, but they may fail
for the reason that the leaders are against
them.
First Assistant Postmaster General
Heath, who has &c. 900 government employees
in the classified service under his special
jurisdiction and who probably knows more
about the practical workings of the civil
service system than any man in Washing
ton has views on that subject which he is
not afraid to express. He says: Il think
about as the indianapolis Journal does on
civil service. I believe the regulations should
be changed from time to time to meet new
conditions and to keep pace with the times.
The merit system is all right, but it does
not follow that the civil-service law cam
because a President makes certain new reg
ulations or notifications in existing regu-
Iations that his judgment is infallible or
that he or his successor cannot make i'm
proyements thereon. An executive order ex-
tending the classified service is more or less
of an experiment; it cannot be otherwise.
If, therefore, trial and an honest test show
wherein it can be changed or modified to
the advantage of the service or for the pub
lie good there should be no hesitation in
making such changes. The civii-service
law is not too sacred an institution to be
modified, if experience proves that it should
be. That is the only way to prevent shams
from fastening upon and weighing down
what would otherwise be an admirable
system founded on sound principles"
Representative Lands has received over
five hundred letters and kilograms of con-
graduation, commendation, compliment and
Endorsement of his anti-civil-service speech,
besides great numbers of verbal messages
of the same sort. One enthusiastic constit-
uent wanted one thousand copies of the
speech. Among Indiana communications are
several from Representative Johnsons dis
trict. including one from Capt. w. H. FL
lott. of New Castle, who indorses his stand
unequivocally. Daniel Surface, editor of the
Richmond Palladium, and Charles Stivers
of the Liberty Herald, are outspoken the
same way, the former declaring that Mr..
Landis represents the sentiment of Wayne
county. A marked copy of the Sheloyville
Republican contains an editorial OF similar
import A constituent from Carroll county
writes that he has heard that Mr.. I.ands
is going to make another speech this time
in reply to Mr.. Johnson Don't do it," adj
vises the writer. Remember that Marc
Antony only made one oration over the
dead body of Caesar" Altogether, Mr..
lands feels pleased with himself. He thinks
of buying himself a silk hat and wearing it
on the back of his head