The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-06
Lively Till Over Its Application Takes
Place in the Senate.
DEBATE IN HOUSE OYER COMMISSION
An Effort Made TO Cut OTtho Appropria-
ton-A Long Wraugic Over CiVil
Service and Its Application
in Both Houses.

mcnt of the government together with
Tho consideration o. tho bin establishing
bureau Tor TIE twelfth census, precipi-
'atcd q sharp civil service debate in the
Senate to-day
Mr Davis. chairman OF tho Committee
ol Tordm Relations. gave notice that
ue would next Monday and daily there
nrcr move that tho Senate consider in
executive scssion tho Hawaiian onncXa-
tou treaty unit 10 was disposed az in-
oils.
Mr Clstcr chairman Of tho Committee
ON Census called up tho bin providing Tor
tho preliminary arrangements for the
takug az tne twelfth and subsequent
censuses. and offered a. committee amend
ment to Section q. providing that tho
President instead OF the Secretary OF the
Interior should approve of the extension
t0 Ine Census Bureau
A SURRENDER.
Nr~ Cockrcu CNo) sharply attacked tho
amendments IIo said that the oitorns
of such am amendment and consideration
OF the section as 10 had been changed by
the committee proved that tho Ropubli-
can party was making "a square and un-
vice question
Mr.. Halo Odaino) thought that the SEN
atOr from Missouri, (COckrolD properly
understood the position of the committee
Tho committee through the bin did not
make an attack upon the position OF the
Republican party. but upon the civil SER
vice question.
10 provided for tho appointment OF a
director Of the census and thirty-one sub
ordinatcs. and he thought that those posi-
uons ought 90 be hlled as provided for in
the bill
Alr Jones. Dem. Of Arkansas), charged
that in the taking Of tho census of 1870.
1850 and $500 ne was satisfied that frauds,
perhaps un.ntcnuonal had crept I'm.
These frauds were due 10 incompetent
and dishonest men who had been employ
cd in the work
Mr. Hale pointed out that IL was mani
scsuy impossible 20 select the census
cnumorators through tho provisions of the
civil service law. As they were employed
only % month or less they would have 10
be selected substantially as they had
heretofore been.
Mr. Jones said that all he was contend
ing for was that the census should be
taken by honest and competent men Sc
lected. because they were capable of do
ing The work assigned 20 them and not
because they had any political influence.
lie then gave notice that after the
pending committee amendment had been
disposed OF he would Offer ono provid-
ing that tho assistant director OF the
census should not De OF the same politi-
cal party as the director.
Iu q brief discussion of the work Of the
census department. Mr.. Allison bluntly
dan. D. % Iff
were q fact that a. disposition had been
manifest to spin out the work simply
that some people might draw salaries.
PAST CENSUsEs.
In reply Mr.. Hale said that the eleventh
census and previous census had been too
extensive in scope so that the bureau was
fairly buried beneath a mass of informa-
tiou upon many subjects that could not
be intcihgcntly handled by the force sn-
der the census director This work was
not only expensive. but really prolonged
the necessary details Of the census. Mr..
Hale expressed himself as in favor Of the
taking of @ real census and nothing else.
Mr. Teller colorado spoke at some
length in support of the idea that the
census bureau should not he a partisan
bureau. and that its employees should,
therefore. De placed in the classified SER
vice.
Mr.. Allison Oowa) said he was opposed
20 and would vote against the establish
mcnt Of a permanent census bureau 20 be
I'm itself lie was decidedly
Of the opinion that the bureau ought TO
he attached TO one of the regular de-
plrtments OF the Government
Mr.. Chiffon TcxaD in an extended
speech. declared that it was scandal
81 M
ed necessary 10 cover the work of the
census of 1850 and 1880. lie expressed a
hope that the efforts of the gentleman
from Maine HalO 90 reduce 20 reason
able proportions the topics 10 he handled
hy tho twelfth census would ho success
ful
quite UNEXPECTEDLY n lively civi SER
vice debate was precpated just at the
close Of the session. Mr.. Carter In charge
NJ the bill. said that De would have the
measure printed with amendments that
had been offered 90 10 and for that pur-
nose would consent 90 have II temporarily
laid aside. lie then moved that the
Senate proceed 20 the consideration Of ca
ocutlye business.
SIIERMAN'S 5 REPLY.
Pending the pasasge OF that motion
the Nice-Prcsideut laid before the Senate
the reply Of Secretary sherman 90 the
senate resolution, requesting information
- 10 application of the civil service law
in his department.
secretary sherman recommended In his
rcply that certain positions IN the state
Department be excepted from the opera
lion Of the civil service law.
AIR Cockrell. of Missouri was ON his
feet instantly upon the conclusion OF the
eading OF Secretary Shermans ooinmu-
uication.
Coming from Secretary sherman. who
served long years IN Congress, inns com
must be regarded as a very
remarkable document said he. Ihe
President himself as Secretary sherman
well knows. has ample authority TO mod
Nv the law I'm accordance with the re-
OF his Secretary OF state.
ror a Secretary OF states 10 come TO
Congress for such relief as Mr. sherman
requests when his own chief, the Prcsi-
1cnt OF the United States has tull power
10 act. is presumptuous.
AIR. Allison said that in making his
reply Secretary sherman had simply
complied with the explicit request OF the
senate and he had the resolution read
to show that IL called for recommenda-
ions or suggestions for notifications
mai Cabinet officials might have 70 make
Mr.. CullOm, OF Illinois, the author OF
the resolution called for the Information
IN the course Of some remarks haaring
upon A., said In a general way thd1 ne
WAS in favor OF the civil service law. lie
was free 10 say. however. that modihca-