The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-06
REPUBLICAN, WAR ON REFORM.
BILL OF A NEW CIVIL SERVICE
LAW DRAFTED.

OppOnets of the Existing Law En-
dOrse the Provisions of the Pros
posed New One--A Five-Year Tens
ure Clause One of Its Features.
Terms of All Persons Now in tho
Government Service to Expire by
Limitation Five Years After the
Law Takes Eject.
washington, Jan. 5.-The bill for the re-
form Of the civil service law, which has
been drafted by special committee of re-
publican members of the House Of Repre-
sentatives opposed to the system in its
present form, makes sweeping changes i'm
the present system, the most important
of which is the establishment of five
years tenure of office for those govern
ment employees who are brought within
The terms of the bill The measure limits
the application of the civil service system
10 the departments in Washington, and tn
such other localities where the total num-
ber Of employees exceed twenty-five. All
appointes are commissioned for five years,
with the power of removal clearly regu-
lated and vested in the appointing power.
Ii is provided, however, that no removal
shall be made for political or religious
causes, and-in cases Of removal the causes
shall be specified and the papers made
record of the office.
All persons now in the service are to-
terminate their service five years from
the time the act takes effect. The meas
ure recognizes the general ehgipillty OF
persons for reappointment 1t includes IN
ihe civil service postal clerks and letter
carriers in offices having over ten em-
ployes. exclusive of subordinates. 1t linn
its the civil service regulations 10 clerks
whose compensation is from 5000 TO $SoO
ner wear. and continues clerks copyists,
computers, counters and craftsmen.
IL is pointed out that the essential idea
Of the foregoing bin is to take out OF the
civil service bill all responsible and i'm
Dortant civil officers limiting II only to
clerks in Washington and certain large
cities. and in these cases fixing the tenure
Of office at five years.
The members of the special committee
framing the bill are well pleased with their
labors saying that the real purpose of the
civil service law has been retained and
that it's radical principles have been
cut Off.
AS the result of the conference to-day OF
the republican members of the House OPP
posed to the existing civil service system.
the bill outlined above was adopted unani-
mously with few amendments Repre-
sentative Evans of Kentucky was instruct-
ed 10 introduce the measure in the House
tomorrow. 1t will then be referred to the
committee on civil service reform.
A steering committee, to await on the
committee on rules to secure the fixing OF
a date for the proposed legislation and to
ascertain the sense of the House and the
exact support that viii be given IL, was
appointed.
The leaders OF the movement are not yet
able to definitely fix the number of gov
eminent officers affected by the bill. but
say It will certainly leave GO.OO0 positions
under the civil service, while there are now
over $1,000.
1t is asserted that there is a majority
in the civil service commission In favor
Of notifications of the existing law. An
effort will be made to have the bill report
ed to the House by Friday and action had
Immediately.