The Portland daily press., 1898-01-12
DEBATE ENDED TAhELY.
Discussion Of Civil Service Law Coz
cluded.
NOT A VOTE EVEN on THE COM
MISSIONS APPROPR IATION.

Republican Opponents of Law Agree That
Fight is to be Kept Up-The Minority
Indicate That They Can Only Be De-
pended on TO Vote for Repeal of Entire
Law.
Washington, January 1.-THE civil
service debate which was inaugurated in
the House week ago, ended today 1t
opened with a row, but ended very tame
ly. There was not even vote on the
appropriation in the executive, legisla-
tive and judicial appropriation bill for
the commission upon which the debate
WAS predicted The Republicans who are
seeking to modify or repeal the law. de-
cided to let the debate come to a close to
day, but it required the casting vote OF
the speaker to accomplish 1T. There are
conflicting statements as to the situation
In which the future conduct of the war
against the civil service law is left. All
the Republican opponents of the law
agree that the fight is to be kept. up and
it is positively stated by Mr. Pearson,
Republican, that assurances have been
received from those in authority in the
House that an opportunity will be given
in the future for the consideration of a
bill to modify the law. But from other
sources the statement cannot be con-
| frmed.
The debate today was quite dull until
the closing hour, when Mr.. Simpson, the
Kansas Populist, enlivened it with some
references to the Ohio senatorial election.
Mr.. Bailey, the Democratic leader,
made clear statement OF the minority
position which indicates that the minori-
ty will vote to repeal but not to modify
the law. The principal speech of the day
was made by Mr.. Brosius, chairman OF
the civil service commission, who de.
Tended the law in two hours speech.
Washington, January 11.-Mr. Moody
in charge of the executive legislative
and Judiciary appropriation bill in accord
ance with notice given by him yesterday,
moved in the House today, that all de-
bate on the civil service item be closed to-
day at five o'clock.
After some wrangling. the previous
question was ordered on the demand OF
Mr.. Moody, but the rising vote on motion
to close the debate was very close, ayes
%. nays SIS, and on the demand of Demo-
Gratis the roll was called.
There was a great deal OF scurrying
aboub during the vote. The decision OF
the steering committee was not thorough
ly understood among the Republicans,
and when the roll call was concluded the
motion to close debate stood defeated by
six votes. -H
A recapitulation of the vote was called
for, and during it's progress 1t was whls-
pered about that assurances had been re-
ceiyed from the rules committee that
time would be givensfor the consideration
of measure prepared by the Republican
opponents of the law.
three Republicans then changed their
votes, making it tie. The Speaker an.
nounced the vote 1875 to 125. "A tie,
added the Speaker, "and the chair votes
aye.''
Thus the Speaker saved the day and the
motion TO close the debate was carried,
The Republicans applauded most yo-
cifer ously.
The debate was then resumed.
| Mr.. Brosius, the chairman of the com
mlttee on civil service, opened the days
4
merit system and an argument for sus-
tanning the law.
Mr. Pearson, Republican of North Caro-
lima, asked how the statement that the
civil service law was economical could be
reconciIed with the fact that the en-
ployes of the government had almost
| doubled since 1888.
Mr.. Brosius decided that this was true.
] The advocates OF the spoils system had
| repeated this statement until they Ee-
neyed it. He produced from the report
of the commission that the number OF
employees in the classified service had de-
creased three per cent whil, the number
| in the unclassitied service had increased
66 per cent.
Mr.. Brosius said the powers sf the civil
service commission were very limited,
They could do little except at the dlrec-
tion of the President and when members
hurled their javelins at the commission
they went over their heads and buried
themselves in the flank Of the chief ex-
ecutive. Speaking of MIR. Grosvenor's