The morning news., 1899-02-10
GOVERNMENTS EMPLOYEES.
SOME SENATORS THINK THERE
ARE TOO MANY OF THEM.

Lively Debate on the Appropriation
for the Supervising Architect.
Major Generals. Brigadiers and
Others Who Have Nothing to DO.
Alien Thinks the Average Govern
ment EmpIOye Does Not Do
Enough Work.
Washington, Feb s.-Throughout its
consideration the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill
A lively debate was precipitated over
the appropriation for the support of the
office of the supervising architect of the
treasury, and that official was criticised
for the delay in the construction of public
buildings throughout the United States.
A speech was made by Mr.. Allen of Ne
braska, in which he commented unfavora-
bly, upon the methods OF the appropria-
tons committee, induced rejoinder from
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire, which
resulted in a sharp tilt between the two
senators.
Fifty-one pages of the pending bill were
disposed of before the Senate went into
executive session for the remainder of the
day.
sir. Allen commented upon the para
graph making appropriations for odds and
ends of office needs. Many OF them, he
thought. We're suspicious.
Too Many Officers Idle.
Turning from this subject. he inquired
why there was no mastering out of ma
jor generals, brigader generals, adjuJant
generals and paymasters, who had been
appointed for the war with Spain, and
who were now sitting around Washing
ton. toasting their feet. eating. drinking
and being merry at the expense of the gov
ernment?"
Mr.. Allison, chairman of the appropria-
tions committee, replied: Il have no spe-
ciaI knowledge of the utility of major
generals and other officers TO whom the
senator refers, but 1 take it they are en-
gagged in the work laid out for them about
year ago. When the army bill is reach
ed .sthen the senator can make his point.
This bill provides only for the civilian en-
ployes of the government in Washington"
Civil Employees Too Numerous.
Mr.. Allen declared that the number of
these employees could be largely decreas sed.
There are 10000 persons in the employ
ment of the government in this city" he
said, "who are not rendering an hours
service to the government in a year"
Mr.. Allison Il do not think there are
so many employees in Washington as that"
Mr.. Allen: Il should think there are
about so, ,0O0.'
Mr.. Chandler: There are just about 1O,-
OO0"
Mr.. Allen, continuing his criticism, de-
clared that the farmers and working people
of the country were paying taxes ''to sup
port these worthless creatures"
A COIIOquy With Chandler.
Mr.. Chandler, in replying to Mr. Allen,
said there were doubtless extravagances
in the government service, and perhaps.
too many employees, but the charge Of the
Nebraska senator was altogether 100 gen
eral to have any effect either in the SEN
ate or in the country.
THE senator" said MIR. Chandler. "has
been here almost six years, and in all that
time has not made proposition for a
single specific economy"
Mr.. Allen explained that not having had
the ear of the appropriations committee
he had never had the opportunity.
Mr.. Chandler Il have heard that the
senator was a modest man, but L never
discovered it except in his own utter
ances."
Mr. Chandler then declared that Mr.. AZ
lens periodical "datribes" had been gem
eral in their terms and not so direct as to
be useful.
Mr.. Allen: 81 hope the senator will
withdraw that word 'datribes'"
Mr.. Chandler: 81 will. And l will sub
stitute for it the term periodical admoni-
tons" Oaughter)
Bill for the Marine Corps.
AT the opening of the session the follow
ing bills were passed:
To restore to their original status as TO
promotion officers of the navy and marine
corps who lost numbers by reason of the
advancement of other officers for excep-
tional and meritorious service during the
war with Spain. rs ar-
Authorizing the Aransas Harbor Ter
minal Railway Company to construct a
bridge across the Corpus Christi channel.
in Texas.
For light vessel off Tail of Horseshoe.
Chesapeake bay.
At $40 o'clock p. m. the Senate went
into executive session, and at 5:35 O'clock
p. m. adjourned.