New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-07
MERIT SYSTEM ASSAILED.
HOUSE REFUSES MONEY FOR THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION.
VOTE IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE LIKE
LY TO BE REVERSED-A LIVELY DEBATE
ON THE WORKINGS OF THE LAW.

LY TO BE REVERSED-A LIVELY DEBATE
ON THE WORKINGS OF THE LAW.
Washington. Jan 6-The anti-Civil Service
reformers won a victory in the House to-day
The Legislative. Executive and Judicial Appro-
priation bill was taken UP for consideration
and when the appropriation for the Civil Service
Commission reached. Mr.. Evans CRep, ky)
made motion to strike It out. This motion
has been made annually for a dozen years or
more, but has invariably failed. But to-day the
opponents OF the law laid great stress on the
fact that they could not get direct vote on the
proposition. and were therefore compelled 10
seek its notification in this rTanneI Even
these appeals failed 70 bring out the full
strength Of the opposition. though the motion
10 strike out was carried by narrow majority,
81 TO g. This in Committee Of the Whole,
where no record IS made OF the vote Mr..
Moody (Rep.. Mass gave notice that ne would
demand record vote in the House, where the
friends Of the Civil Service law expect TO re-
verse the decision. Those Who advocated the
motion 10 strike out we're Messrs. Evans (Rep,
Ky) Grosvenor CRep. Ohio. Hepburn Rep..
Iowa. Linney ORep.. y. CO. Brown CRep.' Ohio)
and Marsh (Rep.. I'D. Its opponents were
Messrs Moody (Rep.. Mass). Hopkins (Rep'
I'D. Fleming Dem. Ga), Brosius CRep. Penn)'
Henderson (Rep., Iowa. ana DoliNei 'iN0P'
Iowa.
In the general debate on the bill Mr. swan
son Dem, Va delivered a speech against ex-
panson.
Mr. EVANS STARTS THE FIGHT.
When Mr. Evans moved to strike out the ap-
preparation he briefly reviewed the struggle
against the extension Of the Civil Service law
1t had outgrown its original bounds. he SAID
and he was willing to bring the question to a
test by cutting off the appropriation for the
Commission. He was not a spokesman. he be-
lieved in merit and In the improvement OF the
public service but he opposed to life tenure
and he was opposed to the present conduct Of
the law.
Mr. Moody said he could not believe that the
gentleman from Kentucky was serious in his
desire to withdraw the appropriation FOR the
Civil Service Commission. He hoped that the
debate would not touch the merits OF the
law. but would be confined to the proposition
to wipe out the appropriation for the Commits
sion II the law itself was vicious 1t should be
attacked directly and manfuily. To cut off the
appropriation would be reproach to Congress.
it was mere boys play.
NIr Dockery said that any attempt TO nullfy
the law by declining 10 appropriate for the
Commission would fail 1t might embarrass the
Commission but the Commissioners could go
into the courts and sue for their salaries under
the law. The whole purpose Of this amendment,
he charged was to create an agitation "nicn
would compel the President to issue the ru-
mored order amending the law.
MI Iinney said that the opponents OF the la"
were obliged 10 resort TO indirection because
some secret, mysterious Influence prevented
them from getting the main proposition square
ly before the House.
MR.. GROSvENOR'S ARGUMENT
,t- c,roevenor said that for twelve years he
had seen this annually recurring motion made.
and each year It had been met with the argu-
ment advanced by Mr.. Moody that this was not
the time place or manner in which the law
should be assailed He admitted there was
some virtue in the argument. But no one could
deny that the civil Service law had overreached
itself II had throtted the appointing power OF
the Government. Men who supported X when II
became law never dreamed It would be car
rled TO the extent to which II had been carried
He avored the Evans bill for a modification or
the law which would restrict Il 10 something
aLQrOachng the original purpose, ana AT the pe-
ginning Of this Congress moro than one hundred
Republican members a majority OF the major
itv OF the House. had agreed 70 support that
/ bin. But they had been unable 10 secure consid-
Grafton for the bill and their actions had been
/ criticised their motives impugned ana their good
faith assailed
EXTENSION OF THE SYSTEM.
Mr. Hepburn in support Of the amendment
said that what the opponents Of the present sys-
tenn desired could he accomplished by the Presi-
dent IL some of the existing orders were re-
scinded When the law was originally passed
ten thousand Offices covered the largest estimate
any ~ ;ts supporters dreamed could be brought
/ under its operation. To-day seventy-two thou
sand clerks were within the classined service.
/ He was not opposed 70 honest Civil Service re-
! form but 70 the humbug which masqueraded
| under that name. For sixteen years. he said the
friends II the law prevented action In the House
on a bill 10 modify repeal 1t.
Mr. Hopkins opposed the amendment saying
that II majority Of the House favored Dill ror
the repeal OF the law il had the power 10 secure
consideration for such bill.
Mr. Henderson opposed the amendment IL
the Republican party faced about and took up
the CRY Of spoilsmen instead Of building up and
strongthening Civil Service reform, he said, 1t
would seal it's own death warrant
After some further debate the vote was taken:
On a rising vote the division stood 34 ayes and
! ~ noes.
Mr. Evans demanded tellers and the rising
! vote was reversed. the motion 10 strike out be-
/ ing carried-67 to 81 Mr.. Moody gave notice
that he would demand an aye-and-nO vote in the
House The committee then rose, and at i
o'clock the House adjourned
S----