The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-07
Richmond's Representative Defends
the CsviI-Service Law and Excori-
ates TAose Who Would "ModifS" 1t.
TILT WITH DELPHPS ORATOR
MIR. LANDS AROUsEs THE IRE OF
THE SIXTH DISTRICT MAN.
Noisy Crowd in the Galleries Of the
HOuse-Speech by General GrOs-
vcnOr against the Law.
nsoial to Tie 1nhiananolis Journal.

Johnson, of Indiana, made picturesque
contribution to-day to the civil-service dis
cussion in the House. His speech followed
that of General Grosvenor, of Ohio. In
the main he held himself to a high plane,
and his address will furnish texts for many
a civil-service editorial in the newspapers
of the land. His defense of the merit sys-
tenn and his excoriation of the spoilsmen
were somewhat out of the ordinary in Ian
guage building When he allowed himself
to be interrupted he let down a little, and
once in a tilt with Mr.. Lands he lost his
temper, but that was only a momentary
outburst This happened when he reached
that portion of his remarks devoted TO a
reply to Mr.. Landis's speech yesterday
afternoon and was proceeding with an argu-
ment to show that the abuses in the civil
service system pointed out by the latter
were trivial and could be corrected under
the law as it now stood. He was going
along smoothly and satisfactorily with his
demolition of the arguments, charges and
theories advanced by the young member
from the Ninth district when Mr. Landis in
terrupted with a demand to know if the
speaker indorsed the bloody work of Re
publican butchery perpetrated by Albert
Baker, confidential clerk to former Public
Printer Benedict" Baker, he went on to
state was discharged because he WAS a
type of a brutal spokesman, and was rein
stated by order of the Civil-service Com
mission and given employment directly un-
der the commissioners in a confidential ca
pacity
do you approve of that proceeding?"
asked Mr.. Landis.
Mr. Johnson insisted that the Baker in
cident did not constitute an argument
against the merit system or any reason for
a change in or repeal of the law. He again
declared that the law as it stands provides
a way for the correction of any tri1ing or
irritating abuses that may have crept
into it.
Again Mr.. Landis returned to the charge,
and again Mr.. Johnson made substantially
the same reply. This did not satisfy Mr..
Lands and he was on Mr.. Johnson's back
once more. He wanted a specific answer,
and persisted in having a direct statement
whether or not Mr.. Johnson thought the
letter or spirit of the civil-service law had
been observed in the reinstatement of a
notorious and brutal violator of the law
like Baker-a man who was instrumental in
the discharge of thousands of Republicans
because they were Republicans"
Mr.. johnson wearied of the nagging in
terruptions and declined to yield any more
of his time, whereupon the gentleman from
the Ninth district sneeringly intimated that
the speaker was afraid to continue the run
ming argument.
"Huh!" snarled Mr.. Johnson, your dare
is like a pigmy's challenge to a giant"
This retort provoked general laugh, part
ly at Landis and partly at Johnson Lam
dis shrugged his shoulders, made a sidewise
gesture with his head in the direction of the
speaker and smilingly subsided, leaving the
levathan a free field to continue his re-
marks.
A VIGOROUS 'ROAST."
Mr.. Johnson thereupon proceeded to
roast the spokesman congressman after
the most approved style. He held him up
to scorn as man who accepted public Of
flee and then betrayed his trust by neglect
ing public business to chase after places to
redeem pledges to constituents he should
never have given. Failing in his efforts, he
had the poor taste to attack the merit sys-
tenn and endeavor to degrade the public
morals by a reinstatement of the deplorable
condition that existed before the enactment
of the existing civil-service law He de-
nounced the spokesman congressman as a
tion and contempt of all good citizens. and
as a curse to our institutions. He heaped
invectives on them mountain high. The red
hot words poured from his mouth in a tor
rent. He never talked faster or with greater
intensity He had manuscript in his hands,
but rarely followed it, and three stenogra-
pliers closed in around him. They took five
minute "reliefs'' and their skill was taxed
- ~. xx,skI Il,
In opening, Mr.. Johnson reviewed the his
tory of the civil service, pointing out that
previous to the time of Jackson the spoils
system did not exist. Men were appointed
to office for fitness. yet never was party feel
ing stronger than then. In England where
the merit system prevailed party spirit was
most vigorous. 1t was absurd, he contend
ed, to say that party merit must be fed upon
the bribe of office. He repudiated the state
ments of the adversaries of the law that
Lincoln and Grant believed in the spoils
system. In enumerating the evils of the
spoils system, Mr.. Johnson said it made
towards of legislators, stormed the White
reached into the Capitol and shaped legisla-
ton; it exalted the officebroker and at
tackled, vilified and calumniated he con-
scientious man. Words, he declared. could
not do justice to the infamy of this prolific
evil which had debauched the civil service
1t seemed incredible to him that men could
dare advocate a return to this saturnalia.
He took up the criticisms of the opponents
of the law, one by one, and answered them,
frequently evoking applause from the
friends OF the law on the floor. The talk of
a civil pension. he said, was bugaboo de-
signed to frighten the defenders of the merit
system. A proposition for civil pension
could not command half dozen votes in
either house or secure the executive ap-
proval.
REFERENCE TO HANNA'S FIGHT.
Speaking to the Republican side of the
House he told his colleagues that the merit
system was a Republican child While Geo.
III. Pendleton was its author in inception,
it was a Republican measure. Every Re-
publican serator and all except seven Re-
publican members of the House voted for 1t.
II has been indorsed by state and national
conventions. Cities and states were adopt
ing IT, The American people were behind
II. Mr.. Johnson attributed the present dis
cordant and disgraceful scene now being
enacted IN Ohio with its visions Of sena-
torships gone glimmering TO the scramble