Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-06
ON CIVIL SERVICE.
The Senate Takes Deep Plunge
in Debate.
Mr. Moody of Massachusetts Makes
Strong Speech in the House-Ha-
waiian Question Monday.


Washington, jan 5.-The presentation
of replies of the members of the cabi-
not to resolution calling for inform
alton as to the application of the civil
service law to the various departments
of the government, together with the
consideration of bill establishing a
bureau for the 18th census, precipitated
a sharp civil service debate in the SEN
ate today.
Mr.. CulIom Qi), the author of the
resolution, thought that a modification
in the law ought to be made, as the au-
thorities had drifted far away from the
original intention Of the authors of the
civil service law. Mr.. Allen (Neb2
charged that the law was openly and
daily violated and said it was hiss
and by-Word among the people.
Mr. Cockrell (Mo) declared that it
was preSumptious in Secretary Sherman
to make recommendation to congress
that certain positions in his depart
ment should be excepted from the class
flied service when the president had
full authority to make the exceptions
he recommended. He thought an eff
dents hands
Mr.. Davis, chairman of the commit
tee on foreign relations, gave notice that
he would move, next Monday and daily
thereafter, that the senate consider in
executive session the Hawaiian annex
alton treaty until it was disposed of
finally
Senator Davis announcement was
preceded by some active work on the
,f fIn Of hn frcsel ~ i0fs
to the opening of the senate, and also
on the floor after the senate convened.
They do not feel absolutely sure of Sc
curing the sixty votes necessary to rat
ify the treaty, but are today very hope
full Of getting that number. 1t was
positively announced that the republic
can side of the chamber would be unit
on the vote, Senator's Morrill, Hoar and
two or three republican senator's who
we're classed as doubtful prior to the
holiday recess, now being considered as
committed to the treaty. The support
ers of the agreement also expect to have
the aid of the silver republicans, with
the exception of Senator Pettigrew.
The populists will be divided, and a
majority Of the democrats will be
against ratification. The democrats,
however, have given up any idea they
may have had of making the annexa-
ton question a. party issue, and it is be-
lieved that this action will have the eff
feet of increasing the affirmative vote
on that side Of the chamber There is
no doubt that the situation in China is
largely responsible for the improved
! prospects of the treaty, as many sena-
tors hold the opinion that for the United
States to hesitate in this matter at the
present time would be to manifest a
serious weakness. The advocates of the
treaty announce rheir intention to make
rev speeches, but they expect stub.
born resistance from Senator's White
Pett1grew. Gray and others.
| The vice president laid before the SEN
ate the reply of Secretary Sherman to
the senate resolution requesting infor-
nation as to the application of the civil
service law in his department. Score
! tary sherman recommended that GER
tain positions in the state department
| be excepted from the operation of the
| civil service law.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The civil serv-
ice debate began in the house today,
based on the item in legislative, execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bills for
the maintenance of the commission. 1t
promises to continue at least until the
end of this week, with possibility that
1t may run longer. But it is generally
admitted on both sides that the appro-
priation bill will stand, as the anti-ciyil
service reformers do not seriously con-
template an attempt to strike it out, The
debate, therefore. is only preliminary to
any program which the enemies of the
law may agree upon.
The members Of the house are divided
into three camps on the question-those
who stand by the law, those who adyo-
cate its entire repeal, and those who de-
sire its modification. These divisions
were apparent in the debate today, the
nature Of which is not as stirring as
had been anticipated. Messrs. Moody
rep, Mass), Grow rep. Pa.) and
Greene pop, Neb.) defended the law;
Messrs. Dockery dem, MOI, Robb
dem, Mo- and Pearson (rep., N. C.) op-
posed it outright, while Landis rep,
PAD favored notifications of the law.
Mr.. Moody made an elaborate defense
of the civil service law. He said he had
no sympathy with those who believed
the law was perfect and should only be
modified by extension. He thought those
who were placed under the law by legis-
lation should be compelled to submit
to test Of their efficiency, and he also
believed that some method should be
found to preserve. If not restore the
efficiency Of the service.
By the testimony of a cabinet officer
the tree was dying at the top. The
remedy was not a civil pension list the
first step toward which had been taken
in the treasury department, when 70
clerks had been reduced to practically
a pension salary and given to under
stand that they could work or not as
they chose. The merit system only con-
tenlplated tenure during efficiency, he
maintained
Mr.. Moody said that if the plans of
the radical opponents of the civil serv-
ice should prevail, and the 10000 offices
should be turned over to the present ad-
ministration to fill, congressman and
senators would fee from Washington
cfying, ooh, for a lodge in some vast
wilderness"
Mr. Moody urged the increase of eff
ficiency in the public service under the
merit system, ami to show it's economS,
contrasted the salaries paid capital en-
ployees whore the patronage system
prevailed witr the salaries of similar
employees il the departments who are
protected by the civil service law.
NEW CIVIL SERVICE.
Many Sweeping Changes From Present