The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-11
REFORMS FOES CLOSE RANKS
MOTION TO CLOSE CIVIL SERVICE
DEBATE TO BE OPPOSED.

The Friends of the Law Very An-
xfous to Put an End to the Attacks
ON It--Opponents of the statute Get
Much the Best OF the Agitation So
Far as Number of Speakers Is Com
cerned-GaIIeries Well Filled TO
Hear the Speeches.
Washington, Jan. 10.-The opponents OF
the civil service law had much the best
of the debate in the House to-day, so far
as the number of those engaging In 1t was
concerned. Nine of the eleven speakers
were of the opposition.
The friends of the law are very anxious
TO shut off further debate, and in this
will have the cooperation of Speaker
Reed and the rules committee.
MIR. Moody, who has charge of the bill,
gave notice that he would test the sense
of the House tomorrow on a motion to
close the debate.
The opposition Immediately sent word
to all in their ranks to be on hand. and
they say they will have no difficulty in de-
featlng the motion.
The attendance in the House was light
to-day, but the galleries were well filled.
The civil service debate was resumed,
and Mr.. Cooney. dem, of Missouri, took
the floor. He opposed the whole civil
service reform idea, which he denounc-
ed as a cheat and a narrow swindle. A
civil pension list and an ofiice-holding
class, he argued, were logical and inev-
table
Mr. Dorr rep, of Pennsylvania, contin-
ued in set speech in opposition to the
law.
Mr. Cox, dem, OF Tennessee, said he
was so utterly opposed to the cause OF
civil service reform that he would vote to
strike out the appropriation for the COM
mission in the appropriation bill for the
present year.
MIR. Little. dem, of Arkansas, denounc-'
ed the principle, theory and practice OF
the law.
Mr. Brumm, rep of Pennsylvania, also
opposed the reform system. He doubt
ed, he said, whether the President of the
United States, members of the Supreme
Court, Senate or House would pass some
of the civil service examinations. He de-
clared that the law was one with 'po-
litical pull which ought to be cultivated.
Every young man should have influence;
and If they did not 1t was the best evidence
that they were unworthy of political priv
ileges.
Mr.. Mccall, rep, of Massachusetts, was
the first speaker to defend the merit sys-
tenn. In reply to his opponents he raised
a laugh at the expense of Mr.. Grosyenor,
who according to his (1cCalrs) calcula-
tons, wanted over lis per cent. Of the
offices exempted from the operation OF
the civil service law.
MIR. Sulloway, Rep, of New Hampshire,
proudly proclaimed as a statesman with
out any mental reservation, that the civil
service law had been conceived in iniquity.
born in infamy and administered in cow
ardlce, and by Democrats. He believed
the government belonged to its friends
Mr., sideways remarks were very pic
turesque, and kept the House and re-
formers in continual uproar.
After some further remarks by Mr..
Harker, Rep, of New Jersey, in defense
of the law, and Mr.. Low of New York. in
favor of a modification of the law, the
debate closed for the day.
Mr.. Moody, Rep, of Massachusetts,, i'm
charge OF the bill. gave notice that he
would make a motion TO close the de-
bate. Much opposition was manifested.
but no test was made.
At o'clock the House adjourned.