The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-06

sweeping Changes In tho systrm--Iin.
waiIan Annexation Treaty VIII Prob.
ably Pass the Senate.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan, 5.-The
civil service debate began In the house
to-day, based on the item In the lesls-
lative, executive and judicial appropri-
alton bill for the maintenance OF the
commission. It promises to continue at
least until the end OF this week, with
possibility that It may run longer. But
1t Is generally admitted on both sides
that the appropriation bill will stand,
as the auti-clvll service reformers do
not seriously contemplate an attempt TO
strike 1t out. The debate is therefore
only preliminary to any programme
which the enemies OF the law may agree
upon. The members OF the house are
divided into three camps on this ques-
tion: those who stand by the law, those
who advocate Its entire repeal and
those who desire its modification. These
divisions were apparent in the debate
to-day. the nature OF which was not rs
stirring ns had been anticipated.
Messrs. Moody tRep.. Mass.). Grow,
(Rep., Penn.), and Greene. (Pop.. Neb.)
defended the laws and Messrs. Dock
cry. tDem., MOI, Robb, (Dem, Mo.),
and Pearson, tRep.. n. c., opposed It
outright, while Mr.. lands, (Rep., Ind.)
favored notifications OF the law.
There was q very large attendance In
the hall OF representatives when the
house re-convened after the holiday re-
css The galleries were crowded.
Il IS noticed that, with one or two
exceptions, the members OF the Ohio
delegation, both Democrats and Re-
pub!Icans. were absent. Without any
preliminary business. the house went
into committee OF the whole to resume
consideration Of the legislative. execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill. All
the features OF the bill had been dis
posed OF except the appropriation for
the civil service commission. upon
which. by. previous arrangement there
was to be an Indefinite general debate.
Il was proposed that Mr.. Moody,
(Rep,, Mass.). and Mr.. Dockecy, (Dem..
MOI control the time for, and against.
Nr. Hepburn, (Rep., 1owa), suggested
that It was a thrce-cornered contest.
The Democrats" said he. desire the
entire repeal OF the law. Some Of those
on this side desire It to stand as 1t is,
while large body Of US desire a
wholesome modification OF Its prov!s-
IONS
why does the gentleman aver that
all the Democrats on this side OF the
house desire the entire repeal OF the
law?" inquired NJ. Clark. (Dem., MOI
simply because that would be wrong,
and your side is always wrong" re,ort-
ed Mr.. Hepburn, amid great laughter.
All suggestions as to the control Of the
time failed at last and the chair recog-
n!zed Mr.. Grow. (Rep., Pa.), who spoke
for twenty minutes IN, support OF the
general principle OF the civil service
law.
Mr.. Moody. tos Massachusetts,. then
made an elaborate defense OF the civil
service system.
The presentation OF replies OF men,
bcrs OF the cabinet to the resolution,
calling FOR information as to the appll-
cation O. the civil service law to the
various departments OF the government,
together with the consideration Of the
bill, establishing n bureau for the
twelfth census. prccipitated n sharp
civil service debate In the senate to-
day, Mr.. Cullom, of Illinois, the author
OF the resolution, thought that rnodlfl-
cation In the law ought TO be made. ns
the authorities had dri,ted far away
from the original Intention OF the au-
thors of the cIvi! service law. Mr. Al
len, Of Nebraska. charged that the law
was openly and daily violated and said
II was a hiss and by-word among the
peoplc, Mr. Cockrell. OF Missouri. de-
clarcd that It was prcsumptuous In Sec
.ctary Sherman to make recommcnda-
lions to Congress that certain positions
IN his department should be excepted
from the classified service when the
President had full authority to make
the exceptions he recommended. He
thought an effort was being made TO tie
the Presidents hands.
Mr.. Davis, chairman or the committee
on foreign relations, gave notice that
he would next Monday and daily there
after, move that the senate consider In
executive session the Hawaiian annex.
alton treaty until It was disposed OF
finally.
Senator Davis announcement was
preceded by some active work on the
part OF the friends OF the treaty prior
to the opening OF the senate and also
on the floor after the senate convened.
They do not feel absolutely sure Of se-
curing the sixty votes necessary to rat
ify the treaty, hut arc to-day very hope
fuI OF getting that number. 1t was posi-.
lively announced that the Republican
side OF the chamber would he O unit or
the vote. The Ponulists will he divided
und n majority OF the Democrats will
be against ratification. The Democrats,
however. having given up any Idea theg
may have had OF making tho anneSa-
tIon question n party Issue It Is helley-
cd that this action will have the effect
OF increasing the affirmative vote on
that side OF the chamber.