The herald., 1898-01-12
IN THE HOUSE
Civil Service Debate Is at Last Choked
Off

On
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Mr. Moody
Republican, of Kansas, in charge of the
executive and judicial appropriation
bill, in accordance with notice given by
him, moved in the House that immedi-
ately after the reading of the Journal
take up the Civil Service bill
and that the debate be closed
today at o'clock Consider
able opposition was manifested to the
motion, but the steering committee OF
the Republican opponents of the Civil
Service law had agreed on this program
The antagonism today to the motion to
close debate, came, therefore, princi-
pally from the Democrats. They were
well supported by the Populists and a
few Republicans who believed the de-
bate should proceed. After some wrang-
ling, the previous question was ordered
on the demand of Mr.. Moody, but the
rising vote on the motion to close de-
bate was very close, ayes 92 nays IS,
and, on the demand of the Democrats,
the roll was called.
When the roll call was concluded. the
motion to close debate stood defeated by
six votes. A recapituation of the vote
was called for and it was whispered
about that assurance had been received
| from the Rules Committee that time
would be given for the consideration of
the measure prepared by the Republican
opponents of the law
Three Republicans then changed their
votes, making it tie. The Speaker an
nounced the vote, 125 to 125.
"a tie," added the Speaker, "and the
| Chair votes aye"
| Thus the Speaker saved the day and
| the motion to close the debate was car
ried.
The Republicans applauded most vo-
ciferously. The debate was then re-
sumed.
Mr.. Brossius, the Chairman of the
Committee on Civil Service, opened to-
days debate with an elaborate defense
of the merit system and an argument
for sustaining the law.
| Mcguire, Democrat, of California, de-
Tended the last administration against
the allegations of wholesale removals
and commended the efficiency of the
civil service, especially in the printing
| office, which had been an especial point
of assault from the outside. Ex-Public
| Printer Benedict, he said, had reduced
| the force in his office from $500 to 2S00
and had inaugurated conspicuous re-
forms. He charged Lands of Indiana,
who amused the house several days ago
with some private memoranda of Mr..
Benedict's secretary, with Juggling and
distorting the record. He read letter
from Mr.. Benedict's secretary, who is
now in the classified service, challeng-
ing some Of Landis statements and of
fering to resign if the Indiana member
could substantiate them. After some
remarks by Bell, Populist, of Colorado,
and Eddy, Republican, of Minnesota.
Simpson, Populist, of Kansas, enlivened
the closing hour of the debate with a ref
erence to the senatorial contest in Ohio
He said the debate had been prolonged
while the Republicans out in Ohio were
making promises to the boys in the
trenches in the interest of Senator Han
na 1t was all a bluff, said Mr.. Simpson.
Whether the house would have an op-
portunity to consider a bill or the modi-
fication or repeal o the law would de-
pend on the speaker, said Simpson.
He is the whole thing" exclaimed
Simpson. land runs the house." (Laugh-
ter.)