837, 46th Congress, 3d session, February 4, 1881.
No action was taken on this proposal, notwithstanding the favor with which it was regarded by many close students of the political institutions of the country.

Public opinion, preoccupied with more specific issues, seemed indifferent to a reform that aimed simply at general improvement in governmental machinery.

The legislative calendars are always so heaped with projects that to reach and act upon any particular measure is impossible, except when there is brought to bear such energetic pressure as to produce special arrangements for the purpose, and in this case no such pressure was developed.

A companion measure for civil service reform which was proposed by Senator Pendleton long remained in a worse situation, for it was not merely left under the congressional midden heap but was deliberately buried by politicians who were determined that it should never emerge.

That it did emerge is due to a tragedy which aroused public opinion to an extent that intimidated Congress.
Want of genuine political principles made factional spirit only the more violent and depraved.