The San Francisco call., 1898-01-07
TALK IN TIE HOUSE, BILLS IN THE SENATE.|

the people of the merit system ana theory of examinations for office with in certain limitations.
 But" he exclaimed in conclusion, | addressing the defenders of the law. 'I want to serve notice on you that unless yCu join us in the correction of the abuses and the reformation of the law, we will join any portion of the community-legisla execu- tive or judicial-and destroy the law root and branch (Uproarious ap- plause in the galleries.)
 Johnson (R.) of Indiana, one of the ardent defenders of the law, followed Grosvenor with an extended argument in support of the merit system. He took occasion to review the history of the civil service, pointing out that pre- vious to the time of Jackson the spells system did not exist. Men were ap- pointed to office for fitness. yet never was party feeling stronger than then. In England, where the merit system prevailed, party spirit was most wig orous. It was absurd. he contended, to say that party spirit must be fed the statements of the adyerSaries of the law that Lincoln and Grant be- lieved in the spells system.
 In his review of the records of emi- nent men on this subject, Johnson be- came involved in controversy with his colleague. Landis (R.) of Indiana, and during the cross-firing the galler- les became so Cbstreperous in their ap- proval of the position of the latter that the chair was obliged to suspend the debate and admonish the spectators that such demonstrations must cease
 In enumerating the evils of the spells system, Johnson said it made towards of legislators. stormed the White House. interfered with the depart 1fc -Sr a,,@ shaped legislation; it exalted the of flee broker and attacked, villified and calumniated the conscientious man. Words, he declared, could not do jus tice to the infamy of this prolific evil which had debauched the civil service It seemed incredible to him that men could dare advocate a return of this saturnalia. The talk of a civil pension, he said, was a bugaboo designed to frighten the defenders of the merit sys- tenn. A proposition for a civil pension could not command half a dozen votes in either house or secure the executive approval.
 Speaking to the Republican side of the House, he told his colleagues that the merit system was a Republican child. While George H. Pendleton was It's author in inception, it was a Re publican measure. Every Republican Senator and all except seven Republi- can members of the House voted for it. It has been indorsed by State and na- tional conventions. Cities and States were adopting It. The American peo- pie were behind it.
 Johnson attributed the present dis cordant and disgracefu1 scene" now be- ing enacted in Ohio, with its visions or senatorships going glimmering," to the scramble for spells, State and na- tional, and said that the surest way to put Bryan and his black banner in the White House in 1900 would be for the Republican party to be recreant to its trust and slap in the face those who believed in honestly conducted service Without desiring in any way to re- fleet upon the present occupant of the White House, Johnson said he was con- vinced that there could be no genuine civil service reform until by constitu- tional amendment the President was made ineligible for reelection. As long as he was eligible for reelection he must necessarily be more or less under the domination of machine poli- tics. After expressing his confidence in President Mckinley Johnson con- cluded with an eloquent appeal to him ] to stand by the principle upon the per | petufty of which the permanence of our l institutions depended.
 | Johnson was given an enthusiastic 1 demonstration of approval when he | concluded.
 Lloyd CD.) of Missouri followed in | opposition to the law, which, he ar gued, was an attempt to establish an aristocratic Government by establish ing an office holding class.
 1 At 4:5O D. m. the House adjourned.