The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-06
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Civi1-Service Law and Its Workings
Discussed at Length.

Discussed at Length.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.--The presentation
Of replies of the members of the Cabinet to
the resolution calling for information as to
the application of the civil-service law to
the various departments of the government
together with consideration of the hill
tabishing a bureau for the twelfth census
precipitated a sharp civil-service debate in
the Senate to-day Mr.. Culom, the author
of the resolution, thought that modification
in the law ought to be made, the aa-
thorities had drifted far away from the
original intention of the authors of the civil
service law. Mr.. Allen charged that the law
was openly and daily violated and said it
was hiss and a byword among the people
Mr.. Cockrell declared that it was presump
tuous in Secretary Sherman to make rec
concentrations to Congress that certain posi-
lions in his department should be exempted
from the classified service, when the Presi-
dent had fun authority to make the sxcep-
tions he recommended. He thought an eff
fort was being made to tie the Presidents
hands.
To-day's session began with a speech by
Mr.. Allen on the immigration bill. He de-
clared in favor of consular inspection of i'm
migrants.
Mr.. Carter then called up the bill to pro-
vide for taking the next census and argued
against making the appointments through
the Civil-service Commission, saying it was
a preliminary measure and provided only
for thirty-two places.
Mr.. Cockrell replied, declaring that the
Republican party was backing squarely
down from it's position on the civil-service
question.
IT'LL \ -
support of the idea that the Census Bureau
should not be partisan bureau and that
it's employees should, therefore. be placed in
the classified service. He was particularly
anxious that honest competent men should
perform the work of the next census be-
cause he had knowledge of intentional mis-
statements and intentional fraud that had
been perpetuated by one statistical depart
ment of the government in making out that
the worlds production of silver was ten
millions of dollars larger than it actually
was. He was prepared he said, to establish
this statement, y necessary, to the satisfac-
ton of jury. If the men whose appoint
ment is provided for by this bill are COM
petent they ought to have the protection OF
the classified service. Properly administered,
said he the civil-service law is a wise meas
ure. 1t has, however. been badly abused
and thus brought into disrepute. Civil serv-
ice has come to stay in this country. 1t will
stand and only reasonable notifications OF
its application will be made. Some such
notifications may be deSira BILE
Mr. Chiffon, in an extended speech, in
which he discussed the work of the pre-
vious Census Bureau, and indicated the
enormous amount of work. unnecessary and
irrelevant that had been performed de-
clared that it was a scandal to have issued
so many volumes seemed necessary to
cover the work of the census of 1880 and
$780, He expressed a hope that the efforts
of the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Hale) to
reduce to reasonable proportions the topics
to be handled by the twelfth census would
be successful.
Quite Unexpectedly a lively civil-service
debate was precipitated just at the close of
the session. Mr. Carter, in charge of the
bill, said that he would have the measure
printed, with the amendments that had
been offered to it, and Tor that purpose
would consent to have it temporarily laid
coed to consideration of executive business
Pending the passage of that motion the
Vice President laid before the Senate the
reply of Secretary Sherman to the Senate
resolution requesting information as to the
application of the civil-service law in his
department.
Mr.. Cockrel was on his feet instantly
upon the conclusion of the reading of Sec
rotary Sherman's communication. Com
ing from Secretary Sherman, who served
long years in Congress, this communication
must be regarded as very remarkable
document said he. THE President him
self, as Secretary Sherman well knows, has
ample authority to modify the law in ac-
cordance with the recommendations of his
secretary of state. The extension of the
operation of the law has been made from
time to time by executive and not by legis
1ative action For the secretary of state to
Sherman requests, when his own chief, the
President of the United States has full
power to act, is presumptuous.
Mr.. 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 1t
Il11 lot
for notifications that Cabinet officials
might have to make. Mr.. Allison did not
think senator's ought to criticise members
of the Cabinet for furnishing to the Senate
precisely what il had asked for.
Mr.. Cockrell thought it was catch"
resolution WHICH had been framed by the
senator from Illinois (Mr. Cullom). but he
thought it was unnecessary to consume the
time of Congress in the discussion of this
question, unless there was desire on the
part of the Presidents party to tie his
hands.
Mr. Culom. the author of the resolution
calling for the information in the course
of some remarks bearing on it, said in a
general way that he was in favor of the
civil-service law. He was free TO say how
ever. that notifications in its application
might be made with advantage.
Mr. Cullom was interrupted by Mr.. Allen
with the charge that the civil -service law
was openly and daily violated by the heads
of the government departments LAS it is
now administered. said he. lit is a hiss
and by-word among the people.
Resuning Mr.. Cullom said he had no in
formation as to specific violations of the
law, but he would like to have the whole
matter investigated, as he was satisfied
that the authorities were very far from
carrying out the original intention of the
authors of the law.
Mr. Jones. of Arkansas. declared that it
was evident that the authors of the law had
not intended that inefficient persons should
not be removed by the heads of government
departments. He held that the executive
heads of departments ought to have the
right to remove incompetent employees with
out reference TO the action or opinions of
the Civil-service Commission
At $40 p. M, on motion of Mr.. Carter the
Senate went into executive session, and
soon after adjourned.
-s-0->-
General HundIey Not a DueIist.
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 5-Gen. George j.
HundleX. who was arrested last NIGHT