Mr. SCHENCK. If this bill, so far as the action of this House is concerned, should not become a law, it will be on account of the most extraordinary opposition ever made perhaps to any measure Presented for action. A.One who heard the exceedingly poetical and imaginative speech of my friendfrom Vermont [Mr. Woodbridge] must have been struck with the singular character of his assault on this bill. If the bill is to die, it will die because it is smothered with roses. But it strikes me it will be about as easy to batter down a stone wall with flowers as to break down a measure so substantial in its character and merits as this appears to me to be with the weapons the gentleman used against it. In the midst of all that poetry with which he entertained us it is difficult to ascertain any particular point he made. But one at least may be taken hold of, as that upon which he seemed to place his principal reliance: that this bill is antidemocratic in its character. A word then upon that point., Why is it antidemocratic? Is it because it throws open these places in the different Depts of the Government, to be occupied without distinc tinction by all men, rich and poor, and by persons of both sexes, according to their merits as evidenced and ascertained upon an examination in order to determine whether they have the necessary, qualifications? Is there anything in the bill itself which makes this an “anti democratic” measure? It provides that appointments shall be made “from those persons who shall have been found best qualified for the performance of the duties of the offices to which such appointments are to be made, in an open and competitive examination, to be conducted as Prescribed” in the bill. Now sir, the “beautiful girl” from Vermont, (and i know that Vermont has beautiful girls,) and the “one legged soldier” seeking occupation would, when brought before a board of examiners, be entitled to have their qualifications fairly measured by the requirements of the office to be filled. And I can imagine many cases in which your “one legged soldier” or your “beautiful girl” from Vermont would come out with flying, colors, manifesting all necessary fitness to fill the places to which they might aspire with credit to themselves and advantage to the Government. I do not rate the intelligence of the girls of Vermont, I do not measure the capacity of our one legged soldiers, by so low a standard as that of the Gentfrom Vermont. I hold that they can enter into a competitive examination for the positions to which they aspire with as good a prospect as any others may have of passing through the ordeal successfully. But what does the gentleman want in order to make this bill less “anti democratic?” If he is serious in his objection, I suggest that, to make the bill conform to his ideas, he ought to move to amend by striking out the provision that appointments shall be made from those persons who, in an open, competitive examination, shall be found best qualified; and inserting something like this, which will accomplish the object the gentleman seems to have in view: peTrhsaotnsthe appointments shall be made from such as are recommendedby a member of Congressfrom Vermont or someother State, for services performed in securing by treats of liquor or wise the votesof Bill Johnson and Sam Smioththeforr !. memberat the last precedingelection. [Laugh If the gentleman wants to change the Present character of the bill, I admit that this would do it. If he prefers the Present condition of things let him endeavor to induce this House to reject all propositions to introduce a mode of proceeding by which the best ability of the country for the particular places shall be secured; let him persuade the House to adhere to the Present system of making official appointments depend upon the personal and political influence which the applicant may be able to bring to bear, without regard to his want of qualifications for the position sought. I presume no gentleman will deny that this is the manner in which appointments are secured under the Present system. It may be said that there are examinations now. But who does not know that those examinations are little better than a farce? Who does not know that in such examinations those succeed whom the heads of the bureaus or depts wish to succeed, and those are rejected who are not agreeable to “the powers that be?” But what sort of examinations would the gentleman have in these cases if p. he that the old condition of things shall e continued? Instead of inquiring in regard to those very inconsiderable accomplishments reading, writing, arithmetic, &c., I suppose he would have the candidate subjected to an inquiry to ascertain his skill in packing a convention to procure the nomination of a friend to office; to determine his expertness in writing a letter for the newspapers, bepuffing his patron here in Congress or elsewhere.