Omaha daily bee., 1914-06-15
Object is to Send Men to Study Trade
Conditions Across the
Waters.
STATE DEPARTMENT PICKS THEM
Without Reference to Civil Service
Examinations" Says Bill.
SENATORS ATTACK THE SCHEME
Even the Democrats Not All Able
60 Swallow Plan to PlRcate
Unsatlsfied Seekers After
Political Reward.
(From a staff Correspondent

(From a staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 14-(special Tele-
gram. )-senator Norris precpitated yester-
day one of the liveliest debates that has
been heard in the senate In long time
over an amendment presented by the
senate committee on appropriations to
the legislative. executive and judicial BILL
providing 10000 for commercial attaches
to study trade conditions abroad, ito be
selected by the State department with
out reference to civil service examinn-
ton" The amendment, however, was
adopted.
Senator Norris was taking a shot at
the old spoils system once more raising
it's head, and was Joined by Senators
Root, Brandegee and Bristow, who de-
nominated it as political provender," ="
Some Democrats Protest.
Even some of the democrats could not
stand the badness of the attack upon
the civil service, and protested vigor-
ously against any encroachment upon the
civil service law On yea and nay vote
of the amendment. namely, without re-
gard to civil service examination" the
motion was defeated. q to "a.
The democrats are on record favoring
a return to the old system Of making
appointments. especially in the consular
service.
Another Plank Cut Loose.
N
'ministratlon with the reputation OF an
other plank Of the democratic platform.
The amendment was Incorporated into
the bill, after long argument.
Senators Kenyon, Burton and Norris
led In the criticism OF the exemption OF
the attaches from civil service rules. Sem
ator Stone met the attack with the as
sertion that republicans were noted for
violating. the rules.
was this plank about upholding the
civil service inserted into the Balti-
more platform after it had been APP
proved by state conventions?" Senator
Clapp inquired.
No Platform binding.
You know If it was not, we learned
during the tolls debate, it would not be
binding2"
was it read at the Baltimore conven-
ton so every one could hear it?" Senator
Kenyon added.
Senator Norris had the floor and re-
sponded that President Wilson had ap-
proved of the plank on the stump.
h, "Oh, he did that with the tolls plank
you had better withdraw your witness; he
is dlscredited," replied Senator Clapp.
Senator Norris added that any way the
jobs, exempt as they were from civil serv-
ice rules and embodying nice trips to Eu-
rope with all expenses paid, would be very
beautiful rewards for the delivery of some
county or state to the party leaders.
step Backward.
Senator Root said to adopt the amend
ment was to take a step back toward the
old spoils system He said it would serve
notice on the country that the dominant
party in congress would do whatever II
could TO break down the civil service sys-
tenn. Chairman Martin of the appropria-
tions committee denied there was such a
purpose and said 1t was only to fill these
places that the civil service Idea was tc
be abandoned
Senator Vardaman opposed the amend
ment.
Although the civil service in my state
has been for the most part africanzed, "
he said. Il believe in the wisdom of the
civil service principle and l believe in this
party pledge for the observance of the
civil service"
On a record vote. by which the amend.
ment was adopted, twenty-seven to TWEEN
ty-four. Senators Ashurst Lane MARITIME
with the republicans.