Mr. WOODBRIDGE. Then, again, it is said by my friend on the other side that this bill will prevent removals from office; and hence I suppose he would argue that it will give stability to our institutions. ow, sir, I am not opposed to removals from office. The power of removal is a power the improper exercise of which is doubtless dangerous; yet it is a power the proper exercise of which is healthful. Now, sir, I believe that there should be an occasional change even of administration; and I mean political changes. I believe that such changes are the great safety valve of a RFG. I believe that if any party should control the Republic for 100 years it would fall apart by reason of its own corruption. The health of the nation requires that the stable shall be occasionally cleaned out. Hence I believe that this system of periodical changes is not a dangerous, but rather a wholesome system. Again, sir, what are to be the practical workings of this bill? if I understand its provisions correctly it starts out with the appointment of 3 commissioners at an annual salary of $5,000 each, with their expenses. They are to have a clerk who is to receive $2,0 per annum, and a messenger with a yearly o, of $900. What are to be the powers of these commissioners? They are to Prescribe the examination to which applicants for office in the civil service shall subjected. They divide the territory of U.S. at their own convenience atnhde hold their examinations at any point they see fit. Then, again, they have power to appoint asst examiners all over the country, which I venture to say would create an unheard of drain upon the Treasury. This great traveling menagerie, this inquisi torial court, starts out upon its elevating, reformatory, and retrenchment expedition. It goes perhaps to my district and to the capital of my State. A building is hired at the expense of the Government. The bell is rung and the school opens, a poor broken down old pensioner of the war of 1812 Presents himself as an applicant for the position of keeper of a lighthouse upon our beautiful lake, at a salary of perhaps 100 dollars a year, or a young one armed soldier, who fought for the country in the late rebellion, for the post of watchman in the customhouse, or perhaps a sweet and modest maiden Presents herself for examination. The messenger ushers her in before this august tribunal: the clerk calls upon her to rise and answer the questions propounded, while he writes out her replies, and the poor girl, in the modesty of her womanly nature, shrinks back in fear and disgust and fails, and is then requested to pay 5 dollars to the collector of revenue for the privilege of appearing before the commissioners of examination. But, sir, I do not desire to speak lightly of the bill. It is drawn with care and with the best in tentions. It might work in Belgium, France, or England, where the masses are mere machines; but in free America it o will never work. the hammer fell]