The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-10
Congressman Discuss Manner
 Of Taking The Census
MERIT IS NOT RECOGNIZED
Members of House Complain That Census Taking Is Done by Men Who Get the Places Merely
 As Political Rewards.

Washington, December s,-The House today resumed consideration of the bill to provide for the thirteenth and subse- quent decennial censuses The considera- tion of the bill led to a discussion of the civil service.
 This came np on amendment offered by MT. Gillett of Massachusetts, the effect of which would be to exclude from the non competitive examination required as the basis of appointment, messengers, assist ant messengers, messenger boys, watch men, unskilled laborers and char-women. Mir. Gillert took occasion to condemn the present plan of appointing clerks in the census office by non-competitive examin- ation. These examinations" he said, ought to ba competitive and not mere farces"
 The system of appointments prevailing heretofore, and which 1t is proposed to continue, of determining the fitness of an applicant and then leaving it to the judg- ment of the director of the census to make the selection, regardless of ratings
 obtained was defended by MT. Crum- packer of Indiana. He remarked that the various civil service reform associations did not know what they were talking about when they wanted the temporary
 census clerks appointed in the regular
 way.
 "Why?" inquired MT. Suzer. who ellie tied the answer that the salaries were
 small and the period of appointment short
 In the course of some further remarks MT. GilIett said that non-competitive ex-
 aminations simply were a return to 'the old spoils system" This furnished a cue for MT. Robinson of Arkansas, who, in i opposing the amendment, vehemently de- clared that 'the spoils system had ob- tained in q large degree in the days of Andrew Jackson and has obtained in q large degree during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt
 He suggested that that doctrine should
 not be repudiated and applied at the same time. If representatives, he said, should
 be required to pass competitive examina-
 tions, then high school boys would hold seats in Congress.
 Illustrating his point that the spells system prevailed now, MT Robinson mem toned the recent appointment of Daniel
 Keefe as commissioner of immigration MT. Hepburn trained his batteries on MT. Gillett. who, he said, was even trying to emasculate the bill and protect mem hers from Opportunities, and the possible wrongs that might result therefrom. Why not protect the membership of the House, he asked from the tempta- tion to indulge in spoliation of the gov ernment?' Mr Hepburn said the civil ser- vice had effected no improvement, and that men he had appointed 25 years ago were better clerks than those the civil service commission was providing. The argument in favor of that service, he said
 was simply q cowardly attempt to avoid the responsibilities that men take upon themselves when they need friends" Strenuous objection was advanced by Mir Crumpacker to an amendment by Mr. Stayden of Texas, providing for the in elusion in the schedules relating to pop ulation of statistics showing the intermar- riage of whites and negroes. and of per sons of European and Asiatic origin. MT Crumpacker believed such inquiries would
 be very objectionable and unsafe.
 MT. Stayden and MT, Randel of Texas were equally as vigorous in supporting the amendment. 'If white man married a regro" remarked MT Randell, he ought not to be ashamed of it. He Is no better than the one he married. The amend u,ent was lost 37 to 43
 Mir. Lamb of Virginia obtained the pass age of an amendment providing that pop ulation sta atistics shall designate the sur vivors of the Union and Confederate armies and navies.