The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-01-06
ANNEXATION TREATY BILL
SENATOR DAVIS 10 CALL II UP IN
THE SENATE.

Announces That on Monday and Daily
Thereafter He VIII Move That Matter
be Considered in Executive Session,
Special Committee's Bill for Reform of
Civil Service Law.
Washington, Jan. 5.-Senator Davis,
chairman of the committee on foreign
relations, gave notice in the senate to-
day that he would next Monday and
daily thereafter move. that the senate
consider in executive session the Ha-
waiian annexation treaty bill until 1T Is
disposed OF. Senator Davis announce
ment was preceded by some active work
on the part Of the friends Of the treaty
prior to the opening Of the senate and
also on the floor after the senate con-
yened. They do not feel absolutely sure
of securing the sixty votes necessary to
ratify the treaty, but are to-day very
hopeful of getting that number 1t was
positively announced that the republl-
can side Of the chamber would be a
unit on the vote. Senators Morrill,,
Hoar and the two or three republicans
who were classed as doubtful prior to
the holiday recess are now being con-
sidered as committed to the treaty. The
supporters of the agreement expect to
have the aid of the silver republicans
with the exception of Senator Petit
grew.
The populists will be divided and a
majority of the democrats will be
against ratification. The democrats,
however, have given up any idea they
may have had Of making the annexa-
tion question a party issue and it is be-
1ieved that this action will have the eff
feet of increasing the affirmative vote
on that side of the chamber. There is
no doubt that the situation in China
Is largely responsible for the improved
prospect Of the treaty, as many sena-
tors hold the opinion that for the Unit
ed States to hesitate in this matter at
the present time would be to manifest
a serious weakness. The advocates of
the treaty announce their intention to
make further speeches.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The bill for the
reform Of the civil service law which
has been drafted by special committee
of republicans of the house makes
sweeping changes in the postoffice de-
partmert. One measure limits the ap-
plication Of the civil service system to
the department in Washington and to
localities where the total number Of
employees exceeds $50. Employees are
commissioned for five years. 1t Is pro-
vided that no removal shall be made for
political or religious causes and in case
of removal the causes shall be specified
and the papers made record Of the
office
All persons now in the public service
are to terminate their service five years
from the time the act Is passed. 1t
limits the civil service regulations to
clerks whose compensation is from 5000
to 81 800 per year and includes as clerks,
copyists, comptitors. counters and
craftsmen. 1t is pointed out that the
essential idea Of the foregoing bill is to
take out of the civil service all respon-
sible and important officers, limiting it
only to clerks in Washington and GER
tain large cities and in these cases fix
ing the tenure of office to five years
The members Of the special committee
framing the bill are we'll pleased with
their labors, saying that the original
purpose of the civil service has been re-
tanned and that its radical expansions
have been cut off,