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Show CONGRESSIONAL. SKSATK. "Washington, 11. Trumbull Fpoke in general terms of the corrupt condition of the civil service, and argued that the bill introduced by him last year to prohibit pro-hibit recommendations to otlicc by members mem-bers of congress, was an important measure of reform, lie alluded to the appointment of incompetent and immoral im-moral persons, by the inlluenccof members mem-bers of congress, and llio diniculty of getting them removed. He then replied re-plied to Alorlon's statement that ho had recommended llS persons for appointment appoint-ment during Grant's term, and said he had written to tho departments, and ascertained as-certained that his name did not appear in connection with any such, number; that in tho most of tho cases he hud not recommended the candidate, but had merely endorsed the applications, "respectfully referred to postmaster-general," postmaster-general," or "respectfully referred for favorable consideration." He had advocated tho election of postmasters post-masters by tho people and tho prohibition prohibi-tion of interference in politics by government gov-ernment ofticera and employes, and recommendations re-commendations by members of congress. con-gress. Tho President had power to introduce in-troduce any reform in the civil service that he pleased; the power to elevate patriotism above party, ar.d purity above plunder. Pratt said he would vote for the appropriation ap-propriation to carry out the civil service rules,because the President asked for it, but he doubted the scheme. fc:cott said it appeared from tho blue book that about o,000 olliccrs were appointed ap-pointed with tho consent of the senate, and 60,000 were appointed absolutely at the pleasure of tho executive. Morton replied to Trumbull, and said he had not implied there was anything any-thing wrong in making recommendations; recommenda-tions; the wrong was in lirst making them and then denouncing others for the same thing. Tho question was taken on concurring in tho amendment adopted adopt-ed in tho committeo of the whole, appropriating ap-propriating SoO.000 for civil service reform, re-form, and which was agreed to, 2o to 21; Schurz, Sherman and Trumbull voting in tho affirmative; Chandler, Harlan and Howe in the negative. Nye introdued a bill to appropriate $10,000 for government buildings at Carson, Nevada. Without action the senato adjourned. HO USB. . The educational bill was discussed this afternoon. Tho speaker announced as tho select committeo on thecbarges against Lhesec-retaryof Lhesec-retaryof the navy, Blair, of Mich,, $ar-gcnt,Petcrs,Voorhecsand $ar-gcnt,Petcrs,Voorhecsand Warren. Getz ottered a resolution to instruct tho committeo com-mitteo of ways and means to report on the propriety of abolishing all the internal inter-nal revenue laws, and imposing taxes on tho States in proportion to their population. popula-tion. Agreed to. Farnsworth, from tho post ollice cosi-mittee, cosi-mittee, reported a bill to suppress the system of straw bids for carrying mails, providing that any person who has put in a bid and fails to enter into contract and perform the servico.shail do deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and bo liable to a penalty of $o,0Uu and one year imprisonment. im-prisonment. Porter otl'e red an amendment, amend-ment, authorizing the post ollice service to accept new sureties from contractors in place of existing sureties; agreed to. The bill as amended then passed. Beck-ottered a resoluon calling on the secretary of war for a detailed statement state-ment as to the sales of arms and ordini mice stores ?ince June, 86o; agreed to, KiHinger ottered a resolution, declaring declar-ing that tho policy of granting subsidies in public land lo railroads and oiher corporations ought to bo discontinued, ttnd that every consideration of public policy and equal justice to the whole people requires the public lands to be held for homesteads for actual settlers and educational purposes; agreed to. The house then adjourned. |