Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-24
IN THE SENATE.
Discussion of the Civil Service and In
dian Ellis.

W
again spent the greater part of the day
considering the Indian Appropriation
bill. Three hours of the time was glvcn
to discussion of a claim of $5Oooo 1of
services rendered the Choctaw Indians.
1t finally was eliminated from the m
dian bill. The civil service debate was
renewed and there was considerable
discussion of the policy to be pursued
in securing employees for work on the
Panama canal.
Washington, March 23-At the
opening of the Senate, today, United
States Senator Charles Dick of Ohio
was sworn in as successor to the late
NJ. A. Hanna. Immediately after Mr..
Dick appeared he was joined by his
colleague, Mr.. Foraker. who announced
his presence and stated that Mr.. Dick
was ready to take the oath of office.
The two senators then walked arm in
arm down the center aisle to the chair
of President pro tempore Frye. who
administered the oath. Mr.. Dick was
cordially congratulated by many
friends in the chamber. The ceremony
was witnessed by large number of
spectators. Consideration of the In
dian appropriation bill was then re-
Sumed.
The old controversy over Choctaw
Indian leases which was rife during
the administration of President Harri-
son and the secolh! administration of
President Cleveland. was for Il time re-
viVed in connection with a motion by
kean to amend the committee amend
ment for the payment of $4,000 out OF
the CkOctaw funds to J. Hale Sypher
for services rendered the Indians in
connection with the leases. Platt SUP
ported the claim as valid. but in re-
viewing it's origin said that $G92, 900
had been paid to lobbyists in connec-
ton with this claim. 1T was he said
zone of the most notorious instances
of lobbying which has ever come to my
notice"
On motion of Patterson the amount
to be paid to Mr.. Sypher was reduced
to $4,000. and then the amendment as
thus modified after three hours of de-
bate was defeated. % TO %.
Quay'S resolution calling on the sec
rotary of the trea sury for Il statement
of the difference in value between the
deprecated currency paid the Deia-
ware Indians between the years 1862
and 1878 and the same payments in
coin to which Hale objected, yesterday,
was passed.
The provisions exempting farmers at
Indian agencies from the requirement
to undergo Il civil service examination
was reverted to and the general sub
;nn Of i1-;lc l,,-C
man, Plat, Comm, Lodge, Hoar Clay,
Spooner and others.
In presentation of his point that the
present occupant of the White House
was relaxing his civil service views,
German said that the men sent to the
Philippines to fill the most important
places in the service there were cX-
empted from tho requirements of the
civil service reSulo tions: and he Incl
dcntally called attention 10 the fact
that very few of these places have
been filled by men who have not been
members of the Presidents own politi-
cal party
Lodge declared that no appointment :;
were made in the Philippine service
except under civil service examination,
but German said he personally knew
of appointments which We're made
without requiring the applicant to ul.-
derGO an examination.
Flatt. Conn. expressed the opinion
that unless the Panama canal work
was done without reference to political
influence, the progress of the enter
prise would be marked by scandal.
The amendment cxcmpting agency
farmers from the civil service require
mcnt was agreed to and without con-
Guiding consideration of the bill. the
Senate, at so +. NJ, went into execu-
tive session, and at $50 adjourned,