The San Francisco call., 1904-04-16
BAILEY LIKES
SPOILS SYSTEM
Texas Senator Attacks the
Civil Service and Calls 1t
an "Iridescent Dream"
EXPRESSIONS SUIT HALE
Speakers Agree That Old
Method Is Better, but
Change Would Be Difficult


day devoted to routine proceedings, the
Senate was treated to a spirited speech
by Bailey just before adjournment on
the question Of civil service. The sub
ject came I'D in connection with a
paragraph in the sundry civil appro-
priation bin. Bailey announced in
plain terms that he had no sympathy
with the iridescent dream Of civil ser
vice. He declared that each party
should control the patronage while in
power. and avowed himself a spoils-
man.
Hale was in accord with much that
Bailey said, but thought that Congress
could not be induced TO change the law.
even though convinced that ii should
be changed.
The Panama canal bill occupied the
major portion OF the DAY and was
passed without division.
SpoOner made a vigorous speech in
support of the bill, and was replied to
by Morgan.
CIVIL SERVICE \ DREAM. =.
The sundry civil appropriation bill
was taken uD and when the Senate
adjourned about half of it had been
read. There was no debate until the
amendment authorizing the Secretary
OF the Interior to appoint agents for
the protection of public timber. with
out regard to party affiliation," was
3 reached. German made an inquiry
. concerning the civil service feature of
the provision. whereupon Bailey made
4f.a
civil service law. He spoke Of the civil
service requirement as a "dream-an
iridescent dream" and added the con-
/ viction that THE present President had
! suspended the civil service law in order
TO make political appointments more
times than all of his predecessors.
He then announced himself a spoils-
man. and said that he delighted in it,
adding that he never had been able
TO attain the Intellectual enthusiasm
Of those who would entirely disasso-
ciate an applicant for Office from politi-
I cal conviction.
SPOILS FOR THE VICTORS.
Il believe he said fatty. that to
/ the victors the spoils belong. and if
/ had nv way under a Republican ad-
ministration ] would not allow a Dem
( ocratic Endorsement to be filed; nor
would I, as a Democrat, permit the
! filing of Republican Endorsement un-
der a Democratic administration"
He added that he would ask no fa-
vors of political enemies, and said that
if such favors were granted he would
not think much of those who granted
them. as he would know that they
would expect favors in return.
He had no complaint, he declared
! that the Republicans now appoint their
particans. He did complain when there
were violations of the law under
the political dilettantism connected
with the service under present condi-
tions There never had been more
scandals in the departments than since
. the present system was inaugurated,
ne said. and if the Republicans had
been able to turn. the Democratic ras-
calls out Of office when they took con-
troll Of the Government they would not
be able to plead every time the Post
Office scandal was mentioned that one
Of the chief offenders had been a Dem
ocrat. Partisanship, he went on, never
ran too high TO suit him, provided it
was intelligent enough to discriminate.
He predicted that if the present sys-
TEN should be continued the country
would soon have a civil pension list.
HALE COMEDIES.
Hale interrupted Bailey with the
statement that he fully agreed with
! much that the Texan had said, yet, he
added. il was impossible to get a
I change because of the unwiIlingness of
Congress to put itself on record. He
called attention to the fact that when
ever there was a rollcall on the sub
ject in the House of Representatives it
failed to sustain other votes against
the civil service system In view Of
this fact, he asked, Does the Senator
from Texas think there is the slightest
chance for a change?"
Bailey replied that he did not think
there was. and Hale said:
is there not a sort of pail resting
on Congress which prevents it's ex-
pressing it's conviction as to what
should be done?"
Gallinger asked concerning executive
orders creating civil service positions
for many hundred employees in the
rural delivery service.
You might have some one in the
Senate ask the Postmaster General
what members of Congress recon-
mended their appointments" remarked
Bailey, and a laugh was provoked at
this Indirect reference to the recent
controversy in the House.
At $40 the Senate adjourned.
Consideration of the general deficien-
cy appropriation bill was resumed in
the House to-day after a number of
minor bills had been passed. The
Presidents recent order regarding ser
vice pensions was attacked by Under
wood Of Alabama, who contended that
there was no warrant in law for it,
The President also was criticized by
Hay of Virginia because of certain
suspensions Of the civil service rules
and regulations. General debate on the
deficiency bill will close tomorrow and
the bill will be read for amendment.
CAPTAIN AND CORPORAL