The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-06
TRIANGULAR DEBATE
ON CIVIL SERVICE
Discussion in The House h0y Lost
ri The Week.
DEMOCRATS GENERALLY FAVOR REPEAL
Republican Members Seem Unlikely to
RarmOnlze Their Views.
Senators Discuss Ctvil service In Cons
nection with tho BiiI Making Pro-
vision for Taking the Next Census
Secretary Sherman Thinks the
law should be NEodiGcd-7Inwniian
Treaty TO be Called UP Next /. omdny.
Washington, Jan. s, 1895

Washington, Jan. 8, 1898.
The civil service debate began In the
House to-day, based on :he item In the
legislative, executive, and judicial ap-
preparation bill for the maintenance of
the commission. 1t promises to con-
tinue at least until the end of the week
with a possibility that il: may run
longer. But 1t Is generally admitted on
both sides that the appropriation in the
bill will stand, as the anti-civil service
reformers do not seriously contemplate
an attempt to strike 1t out. The de-
bate, therefore, is only preliminary 10
any programme which the enemies of
the law may agree upon. The members
of the House are divided into three
camps on THIS question: thoae who
stand by the law, those who advocate
it's entire repeal, and those who desire
It's modification. These divisions were
apparent in the debate to-day, the ma
turc OF which was not as stirring as had
been anticipated.
Vt was proposed that Mr.. Moody ORcp.
of Massachusetts, and Mr.. Dockery
Dcm. of NIi5sourD control the time for
Iow'a) suggested that 1t WAS a three
co-nered contest. The Democrats"
said he, desire the entire repeal Of she
Law. Some % those on this side desire
|; to stand as il is. while 4 large body
Of us desire y wholesome modification
of its provisions"
why does the gentleman aver that
all the Democrats on this side of the
House desire the entire repeal OF the
law?" inquired Mr.. Clark (Dem OF Mis-
sourD
simply because that would be wrong,
and your side is always wrong" yetort-
cd Mr.. Hepburn. amid great laughter
MI suggestions as to he control Of
the time failed AZ last ana the chair
recognized Mr. Grow Rsp. of Penmsyl-
Van!a), who SPOKE for twenty minutes
In suppor. of the general principle or the
civil service law.
Mr. Moody Rcp. of NTassa achusetts)
followed with an elaborate defense of
the civil service law, which he said pro-
tected officials who received $40, 900 900 In
salaries per annum. Yet. he said. he
had no sympathy with those who be-
lieved the law was perfect and should
only be modified by extension He
Thought those who We're placed under
the protection of the law by executive
order should be compelled to submit 10
test of their efficiency and he also be-
lioNcd that sCnle method should lie
found TO preserve, if not restore, the
efficiency of the service.
Mr.. pncbcry (Dem. OF Missouri opsn-
ed the debate in opposition to tho law,
which he argued was odiolls to the
American people and should be rc-
pealed In toto. He pointed out that tha
striking out of The appropriation for the
commission would accomplish nothing.
as the commissioners could sue in the
Court of Claims for their salaries. The
courageous thing To do. he said was
20 pass bill aimed directly at the law.
Mr.. Rohb Tem. OF Missouri and Mr..
Pearson Ucp. OF North Carolina) fol-
lowed in opposition to the law. The
latter, who has been very active in his
hostility to the civil service law, CON
tended that life tenure inevitably
muant civil pension lis; whether the
pensions should be paid directly out OF
the Treasury or indirectly from a re: III
Ing fund collected from employees for
thrt purpose. While Mr.. Pearson ad-
mitted that some good purposes had
been s,lbServed by the law. he declared
that so far as its main purpose, econ
omy, went. /: had been 4 failure. Since
1883 In Washington the departmental
force had increased 81 per cent. ana
the salaries ~ per cent
Mr.. Clark Dcm). OF Missouri. nsl,ed
whethar the Itcprbiicans who were hos
tile to the law Intended to bring In q
Dill for its repeal 20 which MIR Pearson
cmnhatically replied In the affirmative.
lie further said it would be prepared
to-night and introduced at the earliest
practicable moment. ana the chairman n
OF the Civil Service Committee would
be asked TO report It. "If he does not :"
SAID he, the committee will instruct mr
to report it," cNppausc.l
''Ni1l Won Cart lcp,cp nv, ,bo
use your best cndearOrs 10 secure con-
sideraton for II when 1T is reported ?"
asked Mr. Clark
We viii make desperate efforts" an
swcred Mir. Pearson. 1--WE will go 10
the extreme and vote with Democrats
to secure consideration" applause
and laughter.)
Mr.. Lands tRep.). OF Indiana favor
ed a modification Of the law. which, he
said, would doubtless earn for him a re.
putation as spokesman, He sneered al
the professional civil service refornsrs.