The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-06
Let Loose in Both Houses
of Congress
CIVIL SERVICE IS THE THEME
AND DEMANDS FOR REFORM THE
BURDEN
The Topic Will Be Changed on Mon-
day, When Hawaiian Annexa-
ton Will Be Considered
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.-The presep-
tation Of replies Of the members of the
cabinet to the resolution calling for In
formation as to the application Of the
civil service law to the various depart
ments of the government, together With
the consideration Of the bill establish-
ing a bureau for the twelfth census, pre-
cipitated a sharp civil service debate
in the senate today. Cullom Of Illinois,
the author Of the resolution, thought
that notifications of the law ought to
be made, as the authorities had drffted
far away from the original intention OF
the authors Of the civil service law. Allen
of Nebraska charged that the law was
openly and daily violated. and said it
was kissing and by-word among the
people. Cockerill Of Missouri declared
that it was presumptuous In Secretary
Sherman to make recommendations to
congress that certain positions in his
department should be excepted from the
classified service, when the president
had full authority to make the exceps
tions he recommended. He thought an
effort was being made to tie the presi-
dents hands. Davis, chairman Of the
committee on foreign relations. gave mo-
tice that he would next Monday, and
daily thereafter, move that the senate
consider in executive session the fIa-
waiian annexation treaty until 1t was
disposed Of finally.
Senator Teller today introduced a con-
current resolution, declaring the bonds
Of the United States payable In silver
dollars, and declaring that ito restore
to their coinage such silver coins as le-
gal tender in payment Of said bonds,
principal and interest, Is not In violation
of public faith. nor in derogation OF the
rights of the public creditor" Tho res
olution is In the language Of the reso-
luton introduced by Stanley Matthews
in the forty-sixth congress, and which
passed both houses. Senator Teller's pur-
pose Is to secure a vote upon the resolu-
tion, which received an almost two
thirds majority when previously intro.
duced. The resolution was referred to
the finance committee, but, as major
ity of the members of that committee are
friendly to silver. Mr.. Teller anticipates
that it will be favorably reported.
Senator Allen (of Neb.) spoke on the
immigration bill, and declared in favor
of consular inspection Of immigrants.
Senator Carter (of Mont.) called I'M
the bill to provide for taking the next
census, and argued against making the
appointments through the Civil Service
90 xyin
mary measure and provided only for
thirty-two places.
Mr.. Cockrell (of MOI replied, declar-
ing that the Republican party was back
ing squarely down from its position ON
the civil service question.
A report by Secretary Sherman ON the
civil service law was read, and Mr..
Cockrell (of MOI said 1t was q most re%
markable document. being q request
on Congress for legislative action which
was in the power Of his chief by execu-
tive order.
Mr.. Teller Of Colorado spoke at some
length in support of the idea that the
census bureau should not be partisan
bureau. and that its employees should,
therefore. be placed in the classified SER
vice. He was particularly anxious that
honest, competent men should perform
the work Of the next census, because he
had knowledge Of intentional mis-
statements and Intentional fraud that
had been perpetrated by one statistical
department of the government in maxi
ing out that the worlds production OF
silver was $40, 0,000, 900 larger than 1t act
ually was. He was prepared, he said.
to establish this statement, If necessary,
to the satisfaction Of a jury. II the men
whose appointment Is provided for by
this bill are competent they ought to
have the protection Of the classified SER
vice. Properly administered, said he.
the civil service law Is wise measure.
1t has. however, been badly abused, andy
thus brought into disrepute. Civil SER
vice has come to stay In this country.
1t will stand, and only reasonable modi.
fications Of its application will be made.
Some such notifications may be desir-
able.
Mr.. Chiffon Of Texas. in an extended
speech in which he discussed the work
of previous censuses, and indicated the
enormous amount of work, unnecessary
and irrelevant, that had been performed
declared that It was a scandal to have
issued 80 many volumes as seemed necs
essary to cover the work OF the census
of 1880 and 1890. He expressed 3 hope
that the efforts Of the gentleman from
Maine (Hale) to reduce to reasonable
the topics to be handled by
the twelfth census would be succasafuk
Quite unexpectedly q lively civil sei~
vice debate was precipitated just - tho
close of the session. Mr.. Carter, IN
charge Of the bill. said that he would
have the measure printed with aznend-
ments that had been offered to IL ard
for that purpose would consent to have
II temporarily laid aside He then
moved that the senate proceed 70 coz>
sideration Of executive business.
Pending the passage Of that ko(lous
he vice president laid before ~ ooI(4
lite the reply Of seoretary 4llezll11za "A
Inc senate reso1ufion feQueefiux 164
formation = a ~ ~ licetlo1 9< @l1