The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-14
CIVIL SERVICE FRAUD
HEPBURN OF IOWA MAKES vIG- oRoUs SPEECH.
In Committee of Whole House Votes to Cut Of Appropriation for The Commission and
 Clerks.

Washington, Jan. 13.-After 8 lively de- hate lasting three hours, the House to- day in Committee of the Whole, by vote of 7S to 65 struck out of the Legislative. executive and judicial appropriation bill the paragraph providing for the salaries and expenses of the Civil Service Commis- sion and clerks employed under the com mission.
 The action was taken on motion of Mr. Hepburn of Iowa. He was supported oy both Republicans and Democrats, potn in speech and on the vote Those who spoke in opposition to the civil service system as 1t now exists, were Messrst Hep burn (Rep., Iowa) Grosvenor (Rep., Ohfol. and Bartlett Dem. Ga.) while among those speaking for the service were Messrs Cooper (Rep., Wis., and Gillette (Rep. Mass.) No conclusion was reached in the committee on the legislative bill.
 Civil Service Commissioners Cooley and Greene occupied seats In the gallery of the House during the debate on the civil ser vice.
 MT. Hepburn following MT. Bartlett, de- clared that he was not inclined to criti- cize the heads of the commission but the civil service, as it is administered, is a fraud and humbug."
 This statement met applause on both sides of the House.
 MT. Hepburn declared that if the Re- publican party was responsible for the administration of the affairs of the gov ernment, the friends of that party should hold all of the available places. MT. Hepburn referred to an interview he had had with the head of a department hav- ing over 300 clerks, who had stated that he had fifty clerks who could not get to their desks if the elevators in the build ing were not running and that should he be permitted to select his own force. he could do all the business with two hun: dred clerks.
 MT. Gillette (Mass.) Chairman of the Committee on Reform in the civi iservice, demanded to know why the head of the department In question did not make his own selections.
 MT. Hepburn replied that Mir Gillett knew as we'll as any one else that this could not be done under the practice which prevails, although the law might permit it.
 Mir. Cooper Cwis.) wanted Mir. Hepburn to state why he did not advocate legisla- tive reform.
 MT. Hepburn replied hotly that with the present makeup of the committee con- trolling such legislation 1t was we'll known Iildl ILOkhliAS COulu Dc UOIl6 dtOIl& LudC line. MT. Gillet said he was in favor of a merit system and mot patronage system. He admitted that the system is not perfect and can be amended.
 On the pending motion of MT. Hepburn (Rep. Iowa) the paragraph providing for the salaries and travelling expenses of the Civil Service Commission was stricken from the bill. 7S to 65, Republicans and Democrats voting together to strike out the paragraph.
 Mir. Bingham gave notice that in the House he would demand the years and nays.
 An amendment increasing the salaries of the Governors of Arizona and New Mexi- co from 5000 to $a5OO prevailed.
 At p. m. the committee rose with out having concluded consideration of the bill. "
 The House at 5:O5 o'clock adjourned until tomorrow.