Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-13
Speech Inadvertently Help Up.

Lie SS6SiOH ILLS OSedh Win OH
interesting incident. Representative Gros-
venor gained the floor on point of per-
sonal privilege. He declared that yester-
day he had made some highly interesting
and enlightening remarks He was some
what surprised to find this morning that no
mention of his speech appeared In the Rec
ord. He had asked the official reporters
for copy Of the remarks that he might re-
wise them. This morning the reporters In
formed him they had delivered the copy
to a member of the House and had not re-
ceived It again.
declared Gen. Grosvenor, land ask leave
to make search for 1t and insert the re-
marks in the Record az OF yesterday"
Representative Robert Baker of New
York arose. He said he could probably ex-
plain the matter. He had also asked for
an extra copy Of his remarks Of yesterday.
The copy was delivered to his home last
night In the package was copy OF Gen.
copy; he had no idea that in not returning
| 1t he was suppressing the speech of such
distinguished gentleman az the member
from Ohio.
Mr. Bartlett of Georgia was the first
speaker on the civil service system. He
again referred to the violation of the law In
the appointment of M. w. Louis now under
indictment, chief of the supply division
Of the Post Once Department.
Defends the System.
Mr.. Cooper followed. He spoke but
short time. but defended the system val
iantly as a great improvement over the
| political system.
Representative Bingham laid before the
House letter from the civil service COM
mission, In which 1t was stated that sixteen
employees in other branches OF the govern
ment service have been detailed on work ex-
clusively for the commission.
Gen. Grosvenor spoke energetically IN OPP
| position to the present system of civil SER
vice. He declared that If a bill could be got
before the House, q great modification in
the system would be made by vote of to
| /. He asserted that the member who could
get such bill before the House would i'm
| mortalize himself.
you are a member Of the committee on
rules, why don't you bring in such bill?''
| interrupted Representative Champ Clarke.
Gen. Grosvenor replied that during the
past twenty years there have been 500 such
bills introduced. but 1t was impossible TO
get them through the committee on the
civil SERVES.
Chairman Gillett CMass) Of this COM
mittee sat grimly smiling throughout the
debate.
Mr.. Hepburn Again Attacks.
Representative Hepburn of Iowa, who in
augurated the attack Of yesterday, spoke
again with great feeling. He said he was
not opposed to a proper civil service, but
branded the present system as a fraud and
a humbug. He did not hold the officials re-
| sponsible. for he believed they were doing
| the best they could under all the circum-
stances. He wanted to know If there could
be much worse political corruption under
any system than the present practice of
congressman urging heads of departments
| to retain in service decrepit clerks, who are
not able to render dollars worth of serv-
| Ice.
MIR. Cooper's Contention.
Mr.. Cooper (Wis.) said that every one of
the men under indictment except one. in
competition with alleged post Office frauds.
went into the service under the spells sys-
tenn. Mr.. Cooper read the letter Of explana-
ton addressed by the late civil service COM
missioner, Proctor, to the Postmaster Cen
eral, in reply to statements contained in
the Bristow report relative to the Louis
appointment prefacing the reading with the
statement that Mr.. Bristow had done a.
great and heroic work, and that he was
absolutely fearless.
Mr.. Lacey Qowa) said the present system
was not merit system 1t now exists
Men, he said. had gone into government
service without examination and had since
been covered in the civil service and are
now irremovable.
Mr.. Richardson (Ala.), reading from the
Presidents tatement in connection with the
Bristow report protested against any man
assuming that the men under indictment
are guilty before they have been tried.