The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-12
Members Were Equally Divided, 2
to 125, on the Question, and the
"Cznr" Voted for the Motion.
A WEEKS TALK FOR NAUGHT
NO VOTE TAKEN ON APPROPRIATION
FOR THE COMMISSION.
Legislative, Executive and Judicial
Jerry simpson Remarks.

WASHINGTON, lar 1.-THE civil-serv-
ice debate which was inaugurated in the
House a week ago ended to-day. 1t opened
with a row, but ended very tamely. There
was not even a vote on the appropriation
in the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill for the commission, on
which the debate was predicated. The Re-
publicans who are seking to modify or re-
peal the law decided to let the debate come
to a close, but it required the casting vote
of the speaker to accomplish this. There
are conflicting statements as to the situ-
alton 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 tc be kept up, and 1t is
positively stated by Mr.. Pearson (Rep.,
North Carolina) 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 confirmed. The
debate to-day was quite dull, until the
closing hour. when Mr.. Simpson enlivened
it with reference to the Ohio senatorial
( election. Mr.. Bailey, the Democratic lead
err, made a clear statement Of the minority
position, which indicates that the minority
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 committee, who defended NE law in
a two-hour speech.
In accordance with the notice given by
him yesterday, Mr.. Moody moved to-day,
Immediately after the reading of the jour
nal, that all debate on the civil-service
item be closed at 5 o'clock. Considerable
opposition was manifested to the motion,
but the steering committee of the Republic
an opponents of the civil-service law had
agreed to this programme. The antagon-
ism to the motion to close debate came,
therefore, principally from the Democrats.
The latter were supported by the Populists
ard a few Republicans who believed the
debate should go on. After some wrangling
the previous question was ordered, on the
demand of Mr.. Moody, but the rising vote
on the motion to close the debate was very
close-92 to So, and on the demand of the
Democrats the roll was called.
When the roll call was concluded the mo-
ton to close debate stood defeated by six
votes. A recapitulation of the vote was
called for, and it was whispered that as
uranc had been received from the rules
kAA0S NAA21C WYNN No 1Ol
consideration OF the measure prepared by
the Republican opponents of the law. Three
Republicans then changed their votes, MAX
ing it a tie. The speaker announced the
vote as 125 to 125. "A tie" added the
speaker, land the chair votes aye Thus
the speaker saved the day, and the motion
to close the debate was carried. The Re-
publicans applauded most vociferously.
The debate was then resumed. Mr.. Bro
sius, the chairman of the committee on
civil service, opened the discussion with
an elaborate defense of the merit system
and an argument for sustaining the law.
Mr.. Pearson asked how the statement that
the civil-service law was economical could
be reconciled with the fact that the en-
ployes of the government had almost
doubled since 1883.
Mr.. BrosiuS denied that this was true.
The advocates of the spoils system, he said,
had repeated this statement until they be-
lieved it. Mr.. Brosius said the powers of
the Civil-service Commission were limited.
They could do little except at the direction
OF ne President, and when members hurled
their JaVellnS at the commission they went
over their heads and buried themselves in
the TANKS of the chief executive. AS to
Mr.. GrosvenorS attack on Carl Schurz, Mr..
BrosiuS said, the latter probably threw it
aside after he had read it, with Carlisle's
remark. Another foul chimney caught
fire" Mr.. Brosius spoke for over two
hours.
Mr.. Mcguire defended the last admins
tration against the charges of wholesale re-
movals n commended the efficiency of the
service, especially In the public printing Of
flee, which had been an especial point Of
P fSInHsI B IS9m 2 tae b otn said SIDE bsd re E = u9 3he
force in his office from $500 to $500 and
had i~nauguarted conspicuous reforms. He
charged Mr.. Lands, of Indiana, who
amused the House several davis aoo with
some private memoranda Of Mr.. Benedict's
secretary, with Juggling and distorting the
diets secretary, who is now in the CLASSIFIED
service, challenging some of Landis's state
ments and Offering to resign if the Indiana
member could subStantiate them.
After some remarks by Messrs. Bell and
Eddy, Mr.. Simpson enlivened the closing
hour of debate by a reference to the sena-
torial contest in Ohio. He said the debate
had been prolonged while the Republicans
out in Ohio We're making promises to the
boys in the trenches in the interest of Sena-
tor Hanna. 1t was all q bluff, said MIR.
Simpson. Nothing was to be done, and that
now that Senator Hanna's election was Sc
cured the mask was thrown off and the
vote was to be taken tonight on this bill.
whether the House would have an oppor-
or repeal of the law would depend on the
speaker, said Mr.. Simpson. He is the
whole thing" he exclaimed, "and runs the
Have you consulted the speaker" asked
Mr.: Quigg.
mo. replied Mr.. Simpson. He never
consults me, and ] never consult him"
Mr.. Allen then entertained the House with
one of his short humorous speeches.
Mr.. Bailey, the leader of the minority,
closed the debate with some remarks de-
hning the attitude of the Democrats. 1t
was difficult, he said, to believe in the sin
cerity of the other side when in one breath
the Republicans avowed their adherence to
the law and the next demanded it's practi-
cal destruction If the law was good, he
said. it ought to be extended; if not, it
should be repealed. The Democrats, he
said, We're ready to wipe it off the statute
books. They did not believe in life tenure.
While the repeal of the law might turn
some of their friends out of office, they
stood by their party platform.
With the conclusion of Mr.. Bailey's re-
marks the time expired and the bill was re-
ported to the House. 1t was then discov-
cred that those who desired to vote to strike
out the appropriation for the Civil-service
Commission had neglected to make the mo-
ton in committee of the whole. No vote,
therefore, could be taken, and the bill was
passed without division.
The agricultural and urgent deficiency APP
preparation bills were reported to the House
and at $50 p. m. the House adjourned.
MAY NOT RE PENSIONEn.