The Washington times., 1902-01-31

Commissioner Foulke and Director Mer-
riam had been heard by the committee in
relation to the bill.
Cotton Crop Statistics.
Mr. Maddox and Mr.. Bartlett CDems.,
Ca criticised the feature providing for
taking annual statistics of the cotton
crop. Mr.. Bartlett said it was in the in
terests of the stock spectators rather
than the planters; the price of cotton he
declared, was regulated by Wall Street.
Mr. Kluttz Dem, \. c.. and Mr.. Bur
Lesson Dem. Tex.) advocated the bill. The
latter especially made a stirring speech
in support of the measure.
Mr. Burkett, rep. Neb), who started
the opposition when the original bill was
before the House, opposed the present
measure He thought all statistics gath
ering bureaus of the Government ought
to be consolidated in the Census Bureau
if possible and practicable.
Too Much statistics.
Mr.. Cannon, Rep.. ND, speaking some
time later, advanced mucl the same ar
gument as did Mr.. BuIkett He said
there was all kinds of Implications every
where in the Government statistical bu
OLe Hdu lNO SidblSlltdI
divisions to do the same work.
IF there is one thing we have enough
Of" said Mr. Cannon, ''it is statistics"
He characterized the present condition as
scandalous.
The fight over the civil service portion
of the bill was made under the five min
ute rule. Mr.. Gillett (Rep. Mass.) moved
as a substitute that all appointments
in the Census Office should be made in
accordance with the requirements of the
civil service act approved January 6, 1883,
and authorizing the President, at his dis
cretion, to classify the employees accord
ing to the provisions of the act.
'PurveyOrs of Patronage"
Mr.. Pierce (Dem., Tenn attacked this
proposition. Mr.. Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio
made a vigorous speech in behalf of the
Census Office clerks and the method by
which they we're appointed. He made
some sharp criticism about so-called
''purveyors of patronage" and strongly
defended the Census Office employees, say
ing they ought TO be protected against
the high school graduates who were able
to get on the Civil Service Commissions
eligible list.
Mr. Gilletts amendment was lost. and
the bureau will be placed under the civil
service. Mr.. Balls amendment was also
lost, as were all others affecting the civil
service clause. The three amendments
agreed to were one by Mr.. Williams
Dem, Miss). fixing July l. 1904, when
certain statistics must be completed an
other providing that none but American
citizens shall be employed under the bu-
reau, and a third, increasing the salary of
the disbursing officer and appointment
clerk from s., 100 to $500.
Mr.. Lang1ey's Services Recognized.
This is the present salary of Mr. John
Langley, appointment clerk of the Census
Bureau, and the increase was made be-
cause of his especial efficiency and the
high character of his work In view OF
the fact that this this was the only posi-
tion singled out in the proposed per-
manent bureau for an amendment to in
crease the compensation, it is Indicative
of the peculiarly high regard in which
Mr.. Langiey's services are held and
unique compliment in recognition of his
services.
The bill passed without division. 1t
was stated during the debate that the es-
timated number of permanent clerks would
be about 900 This number Will be neces-
sary for three or four years at least.