1 90 Civil Service Reform 



Mr. Vilas. By a piece of rather sharp parliamentary 

 procedure he nearly got it through by unanimous 

 consent. That it failed was owing entirely to the 

 vigilance of Senator Lodge. Senator Vilas asked 

 for the passage of the bill, on the ground that it 

 was one of small importance, upon which his com- 

 mittee were agreed. When it was read the words 

 "classified civil service" caught Senator Lodge's 

 ear, and he insisted upon an explanation. On rind- 

 ing out what the bill was he at once objected to its 

 consideration. Under this objection it could not 

 then be considered. If it could have been brought 

 to a vote it would undoubtedly have passed; but 

 it was late in the session, the calendars were crowded 

 with bills, and it was impossible to get it up in 

 its regular order. Another effort was made, and 

 was again frustrated by Senator Lodge, and the 

 bill then died a natural death. 



In the final session of the 53d Congress a little 

 incident occurred which deserves to be related in 

 full, not for its own importance, but because it 

 affords an excellent example of the numerous cases 

 which test the real efficiency of the friends of the 

 reform in Congress. It emphasizes the need of 

 having, to watch over the interests of the law, a 

 man who is willing to fight, who knows the time to 

 fight, and who knows how to fight. The secretary 

 of the Commission was, in the original law of 1883, 

 allowed a salary of $1,600 a year. As the Com- 

 mission's force and work have grown, the salary 

 in successive appropriation bills for the last ten 



