The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03
TO REGULATE THE SYSTEM
The House Takes Action Regarding
the Capitol Employees.
The Reco mendations of the Special
Investigating Committee Attached
to the Legislative. Executive.
and Judicial Appropriation Bill.


ton bill was adopted in the House yes
terday, 1t includes paragraphs regulating
employment and payment of the force of
the House, recommended by the Special
Investigating Committee These fix the
number Of employees, define their duties.
and name their salaries, with prohibition
against exchange of places, farming out
duties, or absenteeism. The Library OF
the House is placed under the control of
the Librarian Of Congress and the pro-
vision made that employees thereof shall
not hereafter be dismissed except for
cause on the report of the Committee on
Rules.
Mr.. Hemenway. in charge of the bill
said the provisions recommended would
result in reduction of the annual pay
roll Of the House of S3,eo1, and that the
number of employees provided for was less
than that serving the Missouri I.eg:sla-
ture.
Mr.. Bailey declared the paragraphs to
be unwise and an infringement of the
powers of the House.
Mr.. DeArmond said that the possibility
of decreasing the number of employees in
the House had not been looked into, as
far as he could see from the amendments
He wished that the House might have an
opportunity to consider the matter in a
separate measure and protested against
putting such important legislation on an
appropriation bill.
This is legislation enacted in the dark, -
he said. I'm reality this amendment en-
acts the legislation to consider which the
Speaker has just appointed committee.
1t is a subject that should be calmly con-
sidered"
Mr.. Corliss objected to the clause af
fecting House Library employees.
Mr.. Cannon in reply said: For many
years the House Library has been libra
~ in name only. 1t has been a refuge for
incompetents The House owes il tC itself
to make it so that the library is provided
with a competent head"
Mr.. Corliss asserted that as the l1lrary
employees were to be removed for 8, 4use''
only, any incompetent who was ere
would certainly have a lasting refuge"
1t Will always be possible to find
cause If the appointees are all of the
proper party when the Administration
changes said Mr.. Richardson.
Mr. Hepburn rose to point of order
Mr. Moody called Mr.. Hepmrn's atteu-
tion 10 the fact that the conferees had
been allowed 10 deal with the reorganiza-
tion Of the Capitol force by special reso-
luton
The report was agreed to-Se to Al.
The most important changes in House
employees authorized by the bill are as
follows:
one librarian reduced from 5000 to
81 S00; two assistant librarians reduced
from Sl,sR to si,soo each: one locksuIfth
is reduced from 81, 40 to 81, 30; one c9Di-
net maker. 81 200. created; two assistant
cabinetmakers at $500 each. created; two
messengers in House Library at $l.3l4
each omitted; two assistants one In Clerk
81 400 each, created three laborers at
$72G each omitted; three ASSISTANTS. one in
library. one in document room, AMI
one in stationery room, at $500 each.
created; one assistant ipdex clerk at -
per day during the session, with ave rage
annual pay of 81 $50, omitted; one asst
ant index clerk at H.5oi per. annum,
created: for hire of horses and wagons
and carriage for use Of the Clerks once
the sum is reduced from $3.50 to $3.50 he
net result is an increase OF s2.434
In the office of the Sergeant sat Arms IL
is proposed to omit from the Capitol po-
lice one private at 81 100. who has he. eto-
fore received $500 additional pay. provides
for y clerk in charge OF pairs at Si..0O.
net reduction of 500 increases the cJm-
pensation of ...e paying teller from s2,Oi)
the laborer from $3.50 to sSi1.
In the office of the Doorkeeper one mes
senger is provided for at S1.20. in lieu OF a
folder in sealing room at same salary,
dropped: one clerk in folding room at
81 .2O6 is provided for, in lieu of a folder
at $500. dropped. who receives $500 extra
pay; three folders at $40 each are pro-
vided for. instead of three folders al $40
per month each during the session; two
telephone pages are provided for, instead
of one telephone and one telegraph page:
five additional messengers at Sl,mo each
are provided for; ten pages for duty at
the entrances to the hall at S2.50 per day
each during the session are proposed,
S5,215; twenty janitors for committee
rooms at rate Of S720 per anu1m each from
December l next are recommended, 81 i.4o0
per annum, or SS,il2 for balance of year.
The salary OF the assistant superintendent
Of the document room is reduced from
81. 900 to 81 500 the salary of one assistant
In the document room is increased from
81. 3li to 81, 400: two laborers at SH20 each
are provided for, instead Of two messen-
gers at $40 per month each during the ses-'
sion. Making total proposed increase of
81. 622.30
Two additional messengers are provided
for in the office of Postm aster at 81 go
each: four additional messengers during
the session, At 500 per month each. are
provided for: three messengers during
the session, at $500 each. are omitted;
three messengers have heretofore been
authorized by resolution at each session
at 800 per month each. Net increase for
postotfice under the foregoing will he
S69677.
Five hundred dollars is included as adj
ditional for one special chief page. for the
minority, at $500, for services as pair clerk.
The salary of one laborer in reduced from
$40 to 5000, to conform TO the pay OF other
cloa kroom men.
Among the provisions regulating the
employment and payment of employees,
are the following
Employees of the House OF Representa-
tives under the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms.
Doorkeeper, and Postmaster, shall only
be assigned to and engaged upon the
duties Of the positions to which they are
appointed and for which compensation s
provided. except in cases OF emergency
or congestion of public business.
1t shall not be lawful to appoint or en-
ploy in any POSITION under the House of
Representatives more th6n one person at
any one time. or to require or permit any
such person to divide with another any
portion of his salary or compensation
while SO employed.
The Clerk. Sergeant at Arms, Door
keeper, and Postmaster shall make GER
tlcate each month to their respective
pay rolls, stating whether the persons
named In such pay rolls have been actual
ly present at their respective places of
duty aud have actually performed the
services Tor which compensation is pro-
vded In said pay rolls
The violation OF any Of the foregoing
provisions of law shall. upon ascertain
ment thereof, be deemed to be cause for
removal from office"
BRINGS SUIT FOR DIVORCE.
Mrs. Rodrigue Files "a BiiI, Charging