The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-06
CIVIL SERVICE DEBATE USEX
PECTEDLY PRECIPITATED IN
THE UPPER HOUSE.
Mr.. SHERMAN CRITICIZED.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE TAKEN
TO TASK FOR HIS RE-
PORT.
CENSUS BILL UP FOR ACTION.
Charge by Senator Teller That the
Silver Figures Were JugsIed
in the 1890 Count.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The presen-
tation Of replies of the members of the
cabinet to the resolution calling for in
formation as to the application Of
the civil service law to the various de-
partments Of the government. together
with the consideration of the bill es-
tabHshing a bureau for the twelfth
census, precipitated a sharp civil ser
vice debate in the senate today. Mr.
Cullom Qll), the author of the resoIu
ton, thought that modification in the
law ought to be made. as the author-
ties had drifted far away from the
original intention of the authors of the
civil service law. Mr.. Allen Nebl
charged that the law was openly and
daily violated, and said it was a hiss
and by-word among the people. Mr.
Cockrell (Mo.) declared that it was pre-
sumptuous in Secretary Sherman TO
make recommendations to congress
that certain positions in his depart
ment should be exempt from the class
hed service, when the president had
full authority to make the exceptions
he recommended. He thought an effort
was being made to tie the presidents
hands
Mr.. Carter CMont) called I'D the hill
to provide for taking the next census
and argued against making the an
polntments through the civil service
commission, saying 1t was a prelimi-
nary measure and provided only for
thirty-two places. Mr.. Cockreu CNol
replied declaring that the Republican
party was backing squarely down from
us position on the civil service CUES
ton
Mr. Teller Coli spoke at some length
in support of the idea that the cansns
bureau should not be a partisan bu-
ieau ana that Its employees should,
therefore, be placed in the classified
service. He was particularly anxious
that honest, competent men should per-
FORM the work of the next census. be-
cause he had knowledge of intentional
measurements and intentional fraud
that had been perpetrated by one sta
tlstical department Of the government
IN making out the worlds production of
SILVER Sl0'oOo,OoO larger than it actually
was. He was prepared, he said. to es-
tapllsh this statement, If necessary, to
the satisfaction of jury.
Mr.. Carter, in charge of the Hill soid
tnat ne would have the measure print
ed with amendments that had been
oHered to it and for that purpose
would consent to have it TEMPORARILY
lald aside. He then moved that the,
senate proceed to the consideration of
executive business. Pending the pas
sage or that motion the vice president
laid before the senate the reply of Sec
rotary Sherman to the senate resoIu-
ton requesting information as to the
application of the civil service law in
his department.
Mr.. Cockrell (Mo) was on his feet
instantly upon the conclusion of the
reading of Secretary Sherman's COM
munication. Coming from Secretary
Sherman, who served long years in
congress, this communication must be
regarded as very remarkable docu-
ment," said he. 1.-The president him
self, as Secretary Sherman we'll knows,
has ample authority to modify the law
in accordance with the recommends,
lions Of his secretary of state"
Mr.. Allison said that in making his
reply Secretary Sherman had simply
complied with the explicit request of
the senate and he had the resolution
read to show that it called for recon-
mendations or suggestions for modifl-
cations that cabinet officials might
have to make. Mr.. Allison did not
think that the senators ought to criti-
cise measures of the cabinet for fur
nishing to the senate precisely What
1t had asked for.
Mr. Cockrell thought it was "catch"
resolution which had been framed by
the senator from Illinois (Mr. Cullom),
but he thought it was unnecessary to
consume the time of congress in the
discussion Of this question unless there
was desire on the part of the presi-
dents party to tie his hands.
Mr. Jones Ark.) declared that it was
evidenced that the authors of the law
had not intended that inefficient per-
sons should not be removed by the
heads of government departments. He
held that the executive heads of de-
partments ought to have the right to
remove incompetent employees without
reference to the action or opinions OF
the civil service commission.
At $40 p. M, on the motion of Mr..
Carter, the senate went into executive
session and soon after adjourned.