The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-07
HE STIRRED
THE GALLERY.
Mr.. GrOSyenOr Opposed
the Reform Law.
MADE A NOTABLE SPEECH
Desires Correction OF Abuse and
Reformation of Act.
CLAIMS MAJORITY OF HOUSE


civil service law was much more lively
than on Wednesday. The crowded gal
leries were plainly in sympathy with the
opponents OF the law, and they became
so noisy in their demonstrations OF ap-
proval at one juncture that the chair
was compelled 10 call them TO order Mr.
Johnson was warmly sustained by the
friends Of the law on the floor, but he got
very little applause from the galleries.
Mr.. Grosvenor did not define his atti-
tude in detail. but gave his adhesion to
the bill agreed on by the opponents OF
the law in caucus.
Mr.. Grosvenor. in replying TO the
charge made against himself and his
colleagues. that they are betraying the
Republican party, adverted to what he
called the list of traitors among the high
priests Of civil service reform. at the
head Of which he placed George William
Curtis. who abandoned the Republican
party i'm 1854. He reviewed the platform
declarations of the Republican party to
show that the present position occupied
by the majority of the house was not in
consistent with these declarations. Il
give the members Of the civil service
commission notice." said he, that we
have majority on this floor, and you
cannot strangle majority in the Ameri-
can congress" (Applause.) He argued
that when the st. Louis platform was
adopted the extensions contained in the
Cleveland order OF May. 1896, had not
been understood. IT was not until No
vember, 1896 that the enormous scope
OF that order covering 46, 900 officials was
publicly declared.
One of Mr.. Grosvenor's statements
which evoked an enthusiastic outburst
from the galleries was i'm the nature of
warning that IL members refused 10
listen To the voice of the people in hos
tility TO this law they would not be MEM
bers OF the Fifty-sixth house Of repre-
sentatives. He argued that the people
were overwhelmingly opposed TO the law,
and said that hundreds OF thousands of
Republicans felt a secret sympathy with
Mayor Van Wyck OF New York who an
nounced that none but Democrats would
be appointed 10 office under the new city
government. The speaker professed his
adherence TO the principle OF the merit
system and TO the theory Of examina-
tions for office within certain limitations,
but" he exclaimed. addressing the de-
tenders OF the law. II want TO serve notice
on you that unless you join us I'm the
correction of the abuses and the reforma-
tion OF the law. we will join any
portion of the community. legislative,
executive or judicial, a>>d destroy the
law, root and branch.
Mr.. Johnson (Rep., Ind.). one Of the
ardent defenders Of the law, took oc-
casion to review the history of the civil
service. Men were appointed TO Office
in the time of Jackson. yet never was
party feeling stronger than then. II was
absurd 10 say that party spirit must be
fed upon the bribe Of office. He re-
butted the statement of the adversa~ies
Of the law that Lincoln and Grant be-
leved I'm the spoils system.
During his review of the records of
eminent men on this question. Mr.. John
son became involved i'm a controversy
with his colleague. MIR. Landis, and dur
ing the cross firing the galleries became
Sc obstreperous in their approval of the
position OF the latter that the chair was
obliged 10 suspend the debate and ad-
nlonish the spectators that such demon
strations must cease.
In enumerating the evils OF the spols
system, Mr. Johnson said it made cow
ards Of legislators 1t stormed the White
House intcrfered with the departments:
II reached into the capitol and shaped
legislation: 1t exalted the Office broker
and attack, villified and illuminated
the conscientious man. Words could not
do justice TO the infamy OF this prolific
evil which had debauched the civil SER
vice, IL seemed incredible to him that
men could dare advocate a return TO this
saturnalia The talk of a civil pension
was a bugabo. designed 10 frighten the
defenders Of the merit system A prop
osition for z civil pension could not COM
nland half a dozen votes i'm either house
or secure the executive approval.
Speaking 20 the Republican side OF the
house, he said that the merit system was
a Republican child. Every Republican
serator and all except seven Republican
members OF the house voted for il. 1t
has been indorsed by state and national
conventions; cities and states were
adopting II; the American people were
behind II.
Mr.. Johnson attributed the discordant
and disgraceful scene now going on in
Ohio. with It's visions Of scnatorships
going glimmering, Ia the scramble for
spoils. state and national. and said that
the surest way to put Bryan and his
black banner IN the White House i'm 1900
would be for the Republican party 90 be
recreant 10 jts trust and TO slap In the
face those who believed in an honestly
conducted service. Without desiring I'm
any way TO reflect upon the present oc-
cupant OF the White House Mr. Johnson
said he was convinced that there could
bc no genuine civil service reform until.
by constitutional amendment. the presi-
dent was made ineligible FOR recollection
A. long as he was eligible Tor reelection
he must necessarily he more or less un-
der the nomination ot machine politics
After eApressing confidence in President
MclIiuley. Mr Johnson concluded with
an rloqu.ut appeal 10 him to stand b.,
ths principle upon the pcrpetuity ~
which tte permaneute 81 our iustltu-