The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-07
Washington, d. c.. Jan. 6. 1897

Washington, d. c., Jan. 6, 1897.
The friends and enemies of the civil
service law exchanged broadsides in
lhe House to-day. The heaviest guns
on each side were brought into action.
Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio and MIR. John
son. OF Indiana, each made exhaustive
speeches. and kept their respective sides
IN constant furore. The interest In
the debate was much more lively than
yesterday. The crowded galleries,
which were plainly in sympathy with
me opponents of the law, became so
very noisy in ther demonstrations of ap-
proVal Mt once juncture that the chair
was compelled TO call them to order.
In opening, Mr.. Grosvenor dlsclaimed
any leadership OF the anti-civil service
reform forces and any purpose to speak
Tor any officer of the Government exc
cutive, legislative or judicial "Au er-
lorts TO entangle me in n collision with
the President" said he, wastes so
much powder. If I believed my reIa-
tions to the executive would be changed
or modifed, because 1 differ from him
IN any Representatives capacity, would
cesplse him as he would despise me if
Ialtered In my convictions
Mr. Grosvenor said he had. watched
with admiration The Presidents public
career. and one of his most prominent
characteristics had always been that he
not only did not demand subserviency.
but despised n man who sought favors
by sycophacy.
Mr. GroSVolor proceeded 10 nav his
respects to the National Civil Service
reform League and to Carl Srhurz. it's
president. His eXcoriation of the latter
was the most scathing that has benn
nchfd on the floor OF the House in
months. He denounced unsparing,y
1hose who sought to read ont of the
Republican party those who believed in
the repeal of the civil service law
WHh Vitriolic language he sketohcd the
political career of Mr.. Schurz, which
ne characterized as the "chcckered,
spotted, leprouS career of one who be-
trayed every party and every duty To
which he was bound, and whose betray-
ais had been his only stock In trade in
the arena of politics. He traced Mr.
Schurz's political history and defied
any one to poirt out point in the
tral which was not tainted with politi-
cal corruption. Yet, he said, this was
the man who, with other foul political
demagogues at Cincinnati, under the
name of the National Civil Service
League, mad denounced him and those
VINO thought with him on this oues-
ton He read the resolutions adoptcd
az the Cincinnati meeting, branding
lnem as IL famous beyond descrlption
Mr.. Grosvenor, in replying TO the
charge made against himself and his
colleagues. that they were betraying
the ReDuhlican party, advertcd to whnt
ne called the list of traitors among the
nigh priests of civil service reform, at
Its,,, Inc mead of which he placed George
iillam curtis, who abandoned the
republican party In 1854. He reviewed
the platform declarations of the Re-
publican party to show that the pres
ent position occupied by the majority
OF the House was inconsistent with
THESE declarations. For I give the
members of the Civil Service Comm:s-
sion notice" said he, that we have a
majority on this floor and you cannot
strangle n majority in the American
Congress" (Applause)
one or Mr.. GroSvenor's statements
which evoked an enthusiastic outburst
from the galleries was In the nature of
n warning that If members refused to
Listen 10 the voice of the people in hos
tility to this law, they would not be
members OF the Fifty-siXth House or
Representatives. He argued that The
people were overwhelmingly opposed
TO the law and said that hundreds OF
thousands of Republicans felt a secret
sympathy with Mayor Van Wyck. Of
New York. who announced that none
but Democrats would be appointed to
Office under the new city government
MIR. Giosvenor professed his adherence
TO the principles of the merit system
and 10 the theory of examinations for
office within certain limitations But"
he eXclaimc din conclusion. addressing
The defenders OF the law, II want to
serve notice hat mia
join us In the correction of the abuses
and the reformation OF the law, we
VIII join any portion of the community.
legislative. executive or judicial. and
destroy the law, roo. und branch"
tUproarious applause in the CALLER
ies)
Mr.. Johnson tRep. of Indiana), one OF
ins arden; defenders OF the law, follow
cd Mr.. Grasvenor with an extended
argument In support of the merit sys-
ten. He took occasion to review the