Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-11
FEDERAL ASSEMBLY.
MORE HARD THINGS SAID ABOUT
THE CIvIL-sERVICE LAW.
WASHINGTON'S WATER SUPPLY,
Senators Assert That There is
Much Room for Improvement
With Respect to It-AnnexatiOn
of Hawaii.

WASHINGTON, January O.-The oppo-
nents Of the civil-service law had the
best Of the debate in the House to-day.
so far as the number Of those engaging
fl il were concerned. Eight of the ten
speakers were for repeal Of the statute.
Mr.. Moody, who has charge Of the bill,
gave notice that he would test the sense
OF the House tomorrow. on motion to
close debate. The opposition Immediately
sent word to all in their ranks to be On
hand, and they say they will nave no
difficulty in defeating the motion.
Mr.. Cooney Democrat, of Missouri.
was the first speaker. He opposed the
whole civil-service reform scheme, which
ne denounced as a cheat and a narrow
sw.ndle. A civil pension list and an Of
hee-hoiding class, he argued, were logical
and inevitable, If it was to continue.
Mr.. Dorr Republican,. of West Vir-
ginia, followed with a set speech in OPP
position to the law.
Mr. Cox Oemocrat. of Tennessee. said
be was so utterly opposed to civil-service
reform that he would vote TO strike out
the appropriation for the enforcement of
Gle law.
Mr.. Little DemocraD. Of Arkansas, an
kagonized the principle, theory. and prac-
Tee OF the law
Mr.. Brumm Repubncan). of Pennsylva-
ala, also opposed the reform" system.
ale doubted. he said. whether the Presi-
dent of the United States, members of
the Supreme Court. Senate, or House.
could pass some Of the civil-service ex-
pminations. lie defended what was
known as political pull" which, he
said. ought H. IL cultivated. He was
ready to vote for the repeal Of the law.
A VOICE IN DEFENCE.
Mr.. McCan lRepublican, of Massachu-
setts was the first speaker to-day 10 de-
fend the msrit system. In replying to the
criticisms Of some OF the opponents Of the
system. he raised a laugh at the expense
OF Mr.. Grosvenor, who. according to his
flMcCal's) calculations. wanted over 1l5
per cent Of the offices exempted from
abe operation of the civil-service law.
Mr.. Cowherd Democrat), Of Alabama,
called attention TO some alleged viola
sions Of the civi.-service law in his dis
trict He said IL was inconsistent for
the President 70 play TO the grandstand
with grandiloquent support Of the law,
while his subordinates were entertaining
the bleacherles by turning the rascaIs
out"
Mr. Sulloway Republican,. Of New
Hampshire. proudly proclaimed himself
q spokesman. without any mental reser-
walton. The civil-service law, he said,
had been conceived in iniquity. born in
infamy, and administered in cowardice
and by Democrats. He thought that the
government belonged to its friends.
Mr.. Sideways remarks were very pic
turesque. and kept the "reformers' in a
continuous roar Of approval.
After some further remarks by Mr.
Parker Republican,. Of New Jersey in
defence OF the law, and Mr. Low, of New
York, in favor of a modification of the
law, the debate closed for the day.
At o'clock the House adjourned.
Senate Proceedings.
Rev Bishop Merrill. ID. d.. of Chicago,
delivered the invocation at the opening Of
the Senate to-day.
A bill was favorably reported from the
Indian Committee, prohibiting railroad
companies from charging more than 3
cents mile for passengers through the
Indian Territory.
A resolution looking TO the filtration
of the water used in the city Of Wash
ington having been offered and sent TO
the District OF Columbia Committee, Mr..
Hale. OF Maine. said that In DO part OF
the United States was there city whose
citizens are imposed upon and abused as
20 the water supply as are the citizens
Of Washington.
I'VE are confronted with bad, foul
water" said he. 80 filthy. indeed. as 10
make II dangerous 70 drink, and irksome
even 10 take a bath in"
Mr. Gailinger. Of New Hampshire.
member Of the District OF Columbia Com
mittee. said that the committee sas
mindful OF the condition Of the water OF
this city. bat he was satisfied that IL was
NOT impure or hurtful 20 any great ex-