The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-12
CIVIL SERVICE DEBATE
A TIE.
COMMISSION PROVISION IN.
EFFORT OF THEI SPOILSMEN TO
STOP THE APPROPRIATION
A FAILURE.
THE HOUSE PASSES THE MEASURE.
After Several Days of Debate the
Merit System Wins a Victory
in the House.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The civil
service debate which was inaugurated
in the house a week ago, closed today.
1t opened with a row, but ended very
tamely. There was not even a vote on
the appropriation in the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation
bill for the commission, upon which
the debate was predicated. The Re-
publicans who are seeking to modify
or repeal the law decided to let the de-
bate come to a close today, but it re-
quired the casting vote Of the speaker
to accomplish this. There are con-
ficting statements as to the situation
in which the future conduct Of the war
against the civil service law is left. All
the Republican opponents Of the law
agree that the fight is to be kept up
and it is positively stated by Mr.. Pear
son (Rep.. N. c.. that assurances
have been received from those in au-
thortty in the house that an oppor-
tunity will be given in the future for
the consideration Of a bill to modify
the law. But from other sources the
statement cannot be confirmed.
The debate was quite dull until the
closing hour, when Mr.. Simpson, the
Kansas Populist, enlivened it with
some references to the Ohio senatorial
election. Mr.. Bailey. the Democratic
leader, made a clear statement Of the
minority position which indicates that
the minority will vote to repeal but
not to modify the law. The principal
speech Of the day was made by Mr..
Brosius, chairman Of the civil service
committee, who defended the law in q
two-hour speech.
Mr.. Moody Rep.. Kan.), in charge
Of the pending bill, in accordance with
the notice given by him yesterday,
moved in the house today, Immediately
after the reading Of the journal, that
all debate on the civil service item
be closed today at 5 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 to this pro-
gramme. The antagonism today to the
motion to close debate came, there
fore, principally from the Democrats
The latter were supported by the Pop
ulists and few Republicans, who be-
lieved the debate should go on. After
some wrangling, the previous question
was ordered on the demand Of Mr..
Moody. but the rising vote on the ac-
ton to close the debate was very close,
ayes, 80; nays, IS, and on the demand
Of the Democrats the roll was called.
When the call was concluded, the mo-
ton to close debate stood defeated by
six votes. A reconsideration of the vote
was called for, and 1t was whispered
about that assurances had been receiv-
ed from the rules committee that time
would be given for the consideration of
the measure prepared by the Republl-
can opponents of the law. Three Re
publicans then changed their votes,
making it a tie. The speaker announc-
ed the vote 125 to 125.
"a tie," added the speaker, land the
chair votes aye" Thus the speaker
saved the day and the motion to close
the debate was carried. The Repub-
licans applauded most vociferously.
The debate was then resumed. Mr.
Brosius, the chairman Of the committee
On civil service, opened the days de-
bate with an elaborate defense of the
merit system and an argument for
sustaining the law.
After some remarks by Messrs. Bell
Pop., Col) and Mr. Eddy (Rep., Minn.),
Mr.. Simpson Pop. ,Kan.) enlivened the
closing hour Of the debate with g. ref
e1ence 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 thed interest Of Senator
Hanna. It was all a bluff, said Mr..
Simpson. Nothing was to be DONE and
now that Senator HaHna's election was
secured, the mask was thrown off and
a vote was to be taken tonight on this
bill Whether the house would have
an opportunity later to consider bill
for the modification or repeal Of the
law would depend on the speaker, said
Mr.. Simpson. HE is the whole thing"
exclaimed Mr.. Simpson, "and runs the
house" QaughteH. ~
"Have you consulted the speaker"
asked Mr.. Quigg.
NO. replied Mr.. Simpson. "He new
er consults me, never consult him"
Mr.. Bailey Dem, Tex, the leader
of the minority closed the debate with
his remarks defining the attitude of
the Democrats. With the conclusion of
Mr. Bailey's remarks, the time expired
and the bill was reported to the house.
1t was then discovered that those who
desired to vote to strike out the appro-
priation for the civil service commits
sion had neglected to make the mo-
ton in committee Of the whole. The
vote, therefore, could be taken, and the
bill was passed without division. The
agricultural and urgent deficiency bills
were reported to the house. and at 500