The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-12
IT OPENED WITH A ROW
But the Civil Service Debate
Ended Very Tamely.
FIGHT is TO BE KEPT UP
The Debate on the Appropriation Closed
by the Casting Vote of the Speak
er-Simpson of Kansas En-
nvens the Dizziness.

Washington Jan. 1.-THE civil serv-
ice debate which was inaugurated in
the house a week ago, ended to-day. II
opened with a row, but ended very
tamely. There was not even a vote on
the appropriation in the executive. leg
islative and judicial appropriation bill
for the committee upon which the de-
bate was predcated.
The republicans who are seeking 10
modify or repeal the law, decided to let
the debate come to a close to-day. but
it required the casting vote of the
speaker to accomplish this. There are
conflicting statements as To the situa-
tion in which the future conduct of the
war against civil service law is left.
/. All the republican opponents of the law
agreed that the fight is to be kept up
and 1t is positively stated by Mr..
Pearson, republican, of North Carolina,
that assurances have been received
from those in authority in the house
that an opportunity viii be given in the
future for the consideration of a bill
to modify the law. But from other
sources the statement cannot be COLI
firmed.
The debate was quite dull until the
closing hour, when Mr.. Simpson, the
Kansas populist, enliVened ii with some
reference to the Ohio senatorial elec-
ton. MIR. Bailey. the democrats. lead
er, made a clear statement q the mi
nority position. which indicates that the
minority will vote to repeal. but not 10
modify the law. The principal speech
of the day was made by MIR. Brossius
chairman of the civil service committee
who defended the law in two hours
speech.
&c
Carolina. asked how the statement that
the civil service law was economical
could be reconciled with the fact that
the employees of the government had al
most doubled since 1893.
Mr.. Brossius denied that this was
true. The advocates of the spoils sys-
tenn, he said, had repeated the state
ment until they believed 1t. Mr.. Bros
sius said the powers of the civil serv-
ice commission were very limited. They
could do little except at the direction
of the president, and when members
hurled their jayelins at the committee
they went over their heads and buried
themselves in the flanlSs of the chief
executive. Speaking of Mr.. Grosvenors
attack on Carl Schurz. Mr.. Brossius
said the latter probably threw it aside
after he had read ii with Carlisle's re-
mark: Another foul chimney caught
fire Mr.. Brossus spoke for two
hours.
Mcclure, democrat. of California. de-
Tended the last administration against
the allegations OF wholesale removals
and commended the efficiency Of the
service, especially in the public printing
office, which had been an especial point
of assault from the outside Ex-Public
Printer Benedictshe said. had reduced
the force in his Office from 5000 TO $500
and had inaugurated conspicuous re-
forms. He charged MIR. Lands of In
diana, who amused the house several
days ago with some private memoranda
of Mr.. Benedict's secretary with Jug
Cling and distorting the record lie
read a letter from Mr. Benedicts secre-
tary, who is now in the classified serv-
ice. challenging some of Mr.. Lands
statements and Offering to resign II the
Indiana member could substantiate
them.
After some remarks by AIessrs. Bell
tpop.. COLI and Mr.. Eddy rep, Mimi,
Mr.. Simpson tpop., kas.) 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
Hanna. IL was all a bluff said Mr.
Simpson. Nothing was to be done, and
now that Senator Hannas election was
secured, the mask was thrown off, and
vote was to be taken to- night on this
bill. Whether the house would have an
opportunity later to consider a bin for
the modification or repeal of the law
would depend on the speaker. Mr.. Simp-
son said.
"He is the whole thing" exclaimed
MIR. Simpson, and runs the house"
daughter.)
Have you consulted the speaker"
asked MIR. Quigg.
No" replied Mr.. Simpson: "he never
ConSuits me and / never consult him.
Mr.. Allen (dem., Mss.1 entertained
the house with one of his short humor-
Gus speeches.
Mr.. Bailey tdem.. Tex. leader of the
minority. closed the debate with some
remarks defining the attitude OF the
democrats. 1t was difficult. he said. to
believe in the sincerity of the other
side when in one breath the republic
cans ayoWed their adherence To the law.
and In the next demanded its practical
destruction. II the law was good, he
said, Ii ought to be extended. If not, ii
should be repealed. The democrats, he
said were ready 10 wipe it off the stat
ute books. They did not believe in life
tenure, and while the repeal Of the
law might turn some of their friends
out OF Office, they stood by their party
platform.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Bailey's re-
marks, the time expired ana the bill
was reported to the house. Ii was then
discovered that those VINO desired to
vote to strike out the appropria ton for
the civil service commission had neg
1ected to make the motion in commit
tee of the whole, No vote. therefore
could be taken. and the bill was passed
without division.
The agricultural and urgency def
cheney bills were reported 70 the house
and at $40 the house adjourned.