The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-07
AN ULTIMATUM.
General GrOsYenOr Warns Re-
publicanS in the House
That Unless They Help Repeal
the Civil Service Law
SPOILSMEN WILL GO.
Says They viii Unite With
Any Other Party
For the Purpose of Wiping Out
the System.
SPOILSMEN WILL GO.

washington, Jan. Tine friends and
enemies of the civil service law again
exchanged broad sides in the house
yesterday. The heaviest guns on each
side were brought into action. Mr.. Gros-
venor, of Ohio, and Mr.. johnson, of In
diana, each made exhaustive speeches
and kept their respective sides in a
constant furore. The crowded galleries
which were plainly in sympathy with
the opponents of the law, became so
very noisy in their demonstrations of
approval at one juncture that the chair
was compelled to call them to order.
Mr.. johnson was warmly sustained by
the friends of the law on the floor, but
he got very little applause from the
galleries. Mr.. Lloyd, of Missouri, was
the only other speaker. He favored the
repeal of the law.
Mr.. GrosvenOr's description of the
habits of the cuckoo teemed with wit
and kept the house in a roar. Mr.. Gros-
VenOr, in replying to the charge made
against himself and his colleagues that
they were betraying the Republican
party adverted to what he called the
list of traitors among the high priests
of civil service reform, at the head of
which he placed George William Curtis,
who abandoned the Republican party
in 1884. He reviewed the platform de-
claratiOns of the Republican party to
show that the present position occupied
by the majority of the house was not
inconsistent with these declarations.
For I give the members of the civil
service committee nOIlC6, Salu ne,
we have a majority on this floor, and
you cannot strangle a majority in the
American congress" (Applause).
He argued that when the St. Louis
platform was adopted the extensions
contained in the Cleveland order OF
May, 1896, had not been understood. It
was not until November, 1896, that the
enormous scope of that order covering
46 900 officials was publicly declared
The Republicans coming into power on
platform adopted before these vast
extensions were not in honor bound to
agree to them, and it was proper that
the president should announce in his
message to congress that there we've
portions of these orders which never
ought to have been made.
Mr.. GrosVenOr discussed the practical
effect of the law and the examinations
of the committee giving many illUstra-
tiOnS of applicants who, through years
of service. had proved their ability but
who failed to answer questions asked
One of Mr.. GrOSVenOrs statements
which evoked an enthusiastic OutburSt
from the galleries was in the nature of
a warning that if members refused to
listen to the voice of the people in hos
tility to this law, they would not be
membe of the Fffty-sixth house OF
representatives.
He argued that the people were over
whelmingly opposed to the law and said
that hundreds of thousands of Republi-
cans felt a secret sympathy with May
or Van Wyck of New York who an
nOunced that none but Democrats
would be appointed to office under the
new city government. Governor Black
had said a few days ago that when the
late unlamented" Republican govern
ment came into power, there were H.
600 Tammany men in office, and when
it expired there were still $4,000 Tam
many men on the pay roll
The Republicans, Mr.. GrOsVenOr said,
had been justly punished for keeping
these enemies in their camp.
Mr.. GrOsVenOr prOfessed his adher-
ence to the principle of the merit sys-
tenn and theory of examinations for Of
fee within certain limits
But" he exclaimed, in conclusion,
addressing the defenders of the law, Il
want to serve notice on you that I'M
less you join US in the correction of the
abuses and the reformation of the law
that we will join any portion of the
community legislative, executive or
judicial, and destroy the law, root the
branch" (Uproarious applause in the
galleries.)
Mr.. Johnson (Rep. Ind.), one of the
ardent defenders of the law, followed
Mr. GrOsVenOr with an extended argu-
ment in support of the merit system
He took occasion to review the history
of the civil service, pointing out that
previous to the time of jackson, the
spoils system did not exist Men were
appointed to office for fitness; never
was party feeling stronger than then
In England, where the merit system
prevailed, party spirit was most Wig
orous 1t was absurd, he commended, to
say that party spirit must bG leu uPOA
the bits of office.
He repudiated the statements of the
adversaries of the law that Lincoln and
Grant believed in the spOils system.
During his review of the records OF
eminent men on this question, MI
Johnson became involved in q contro-
versy with his colleague, Mr.. Landls
CRep. Ind.) and during the cross nrlng
the galleries became so ObstreperouS IN
their approval of the position OF the
latter that the chair was obliged to
suspend the debate and admonish the
spectators that such demonstrations
In enumerating the evils of the spoils
system. Mr.. Johnson said 1t MADE
towards of legislators, stormed the
White House, interfered with the De
Dartments: it reached into the capitol
and shaped legislation; it exalted the
office broker and attacked, villtf1ed and
illuminated the conscientious man.
Words he declared, could not do JUS
tice to the infamy of this prolific evil
which had debauched the civil service
1t seemed incredible to him thaI men
could dare advocate q return Of this
saturnalia. The talk of a civil pension.
he said, was a bugabOO designed to
frighten the defenders of the merit
system. A proposition for a civil pen
sion could not command half dozen
votes in either house or secure the eX-
ecutiVe approval.
Speaking to the Republican side of
the house he told his collea CUES that the
merit system was Republican child
While George H. Pendleton was its au-
thor in conception, 1t was a RepuDllcal
measure. Every Republican senator
and all except seven Republican mem
bers of the house, voted for it, 1t has
been endorsed by state and national
conventions Cities and states were
adopting it. The American people were
behind it.
Mr.. Johnson attributed the present
''discordant and disgraceful scene now
being enacted in Ohio. with its visions
of senatOrships going glimmering to
the scramble for spells. state and ma
tional and said that the surest way
to put Bryan and his black banner in