New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-16
Moon Insists on Grab for
Jobs of 2,4O0 Assistant
POStmaSterS.
WOULD ABOLISH
ALL DIPLOMATS
House Democrats and the PrcSi'
dent in Serious Row Over
the Civil Service.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington. Jan. IA serious row
between the administration and House
Democrats developed to-day. when Chair
man Moon OF the Committee on Pos,offices
virtually defied the President to veto the
postoffice appropriation bill. which con-
tains "spoils system" rider removing
assistant postmasters from the classified
service. There was made public also a
letter recently written to Mr.. Moon by
Postmaster General Burleson, in which
tho House committee was advised not 10
include the legislative rider in the bill
Mr.. Moon opened the acrimonious
House debate on the bill After he had
urged his colleagues not TO be swerved
from their course by the threat Of a Presi-
Dental Veto Mr.. Moon launched into \
general assault on the civil service, assail-
ing also the diplomatic and consular ser
vice. The American consuls were OF little
use. and that the entire diplomatic corps
should be abolished was vehemently as
serted by M. Moon.
Your diplomatic service is super
iuous appendage 20 a republic IN TINS
day." said Mr. Moon. and the whole
diplomatic corps, in the interest of econ
omy and good government and decent
concepton by foreign people of the views,
habits and conditions Of American people,
ought to be abolished. but they are the
House Of Lords Of the United States.
They form a distinct class-so distinct. !
understand. that they pay scarcely any
regard 10 the Senators who vote for their
.. confirmation when once they approach the
throne Of roy atty. II is this gang of po-
| lticsl reprohates and society deeenerates
| that we ought To wipe out OF existence.
you have not the slightest Lse these
DAYS for an ambassador or minister in any
court on earth. In this day of cable
grams and quick communication our gov
eminent, II it should have trouble any
where. might communicate with its bust
/ ness consuls, or with the government d.
rect. and deal with all questions of inter-
national importance"
| In urging the adoption OF the "spoils
rider" in the postoffice bill Chairman
: Moon said:
THE President of the United States
/ does not approve 81 this section Of the
/ bill. The President stands for civil SER
vice in the United States-for the merit
system. The President is an able and q
conscientious man, and I believe that in
/ Woodrow Wilson the country has one OF
the best Presidents ii ever had. | believe
! that in Albert Bureson it has one of the
ablest and most efficient Postmaster
| Generals it has ever had. But this COM
mittee Is not here to bow TO the will OF
J the President or 10 the will OF the Post
master General upon a question upon
which We differ
Suppose the President does veto this
/ bill II the Congress should pass this sec
| ton He but exercises his constitutional
! prerog tive and the Congress cannot &C I'M
plain. II can only override the veto. IL
II will, by two-thirds vote, and he can
not complain If Congress does that. So
the views OF the President and the Post
master General. however much / respect
| them-and ! do profoundly respect them
| certainly will not control me in my vote.
nor will il control this committee in the
presentation and discussion OF a ques-
! ton which I believe 10 be vital"