Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-14
BITTERLY SCORED
Congressmen Handle the Civil
Service Commission With.
out Gloves.
CHARGES YELLED IN SPEECHES
Hepburn Says Responsible Party
Should Hold All the
Otiices.

Washington. Jan. 1.-THE debate in
the house yesterday that led up to the
adoption of Il resolution cutting off
the appropriation for the expenses of
the civil service commission was rath-
er one-Sided. Grosyenor began the at
tack. He said that if Il vote on the
question were permitted the civil
service commission would be stripped
of Il large share of its power.
Clark of Missouri suggested that
bill he brought before the house so
the subject could be debated and voted
upon. GrosvPnor said the gentleman
from Missouri Clark could immortal
iZe himself if he would introduce and
pass Il bill amending. enlarging. alter
ing or affecting the old law. which
he said. Is regarded as the perfection
of human wisdom. Concluding his re-
marks GrOSvenor that anOligarChy
of three men had been built up. and
up to a recent date was controlled
by one man. Lacey of Iowa also spoke
against the law.
Perry Heath's Name Comes In.
Reference having been made to the
postOffice scandal, Cooper of Wiscon-
sin said that every one of the men
under Indictment. except one. in CON
nectlon with alleged postotfice frauds
went into the service under the spoiIs
system. and Bartlett of Georgia
charged that in the appointment of the
chief of the supply division of the post
office department. according to the re
port of General BriStow. the civil SerV-
ice law had been violated. Il call at
tentiOn to this" he said. because IT Is
on the very threshold of this report
1t meets you at the start. at the very
door. and stands ont as Il bold. bald.
violation of the law. and the man who
violated it. the man who encOura ged
it the man who started it. the man
who asked il. is former first assist
ant postmaster general. Perry 5.
Heath
Commissioners are Present.
Civil Service Commissioners Cooley
anu Greene occupied seats in the gal
lery OF the house during the debate
on the civil service. and Hepburn de
clared that he was not inclined to criti-
else the heads of the commission. but
the civil service. as il i administered,
is fraud and IL humhu@." This state
ment met applause on both sides of
the house. Hepburn declared that if
the Republican party was responsible
for the administration OF the affairs
of the government the friends of that
party should hold all of the available
places.
Hepburn referred to an interview he
had with the head of department
having over JOO clerks. who had stated
that lie had fifty clerks who could not
get TO their desks. if the elevators in
the building were not running. and
that should he he permitted to select
his own force he could do all the busi-
ness with POO clerks.
Gillett of Massa chusettS. chairman
of the committee on reform in the
civil service. demanded to know why
'he head of the department IN Gues- |
ton did not make his own selections. |
Hepburn replied that GilIett knew as
well as any one else that this could !
not bc done under the practice which |
prevails. although the law might per !
NIT it.
Gillctt said he was in favor of |
merit system. and not patronage sys- |
tenn. He admitted that the system is |
not perfect and can he amended. He |
said he would not oppose bringing in /
a bih amending the law.
The debate took place on a motion |
made by Hepburn TO strike ont the |
appropriation. and after the motion had |
been carried Brigham gave notice that
In tho bOuSa no UouId damapd tho |
yeas and nays.