New-York tribune., 1878-04-03
AN uPROAR IN THE HOUSE.

THE DEMOCRATS TRY TO BREAK DOWN oNE w
THEIR OWN SPEAKERS WHILE HE Is EAPosiNG
COLONEL POLK.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
wAsuSGToN. April 2.-The Democrats OF the
House of REPRESENTATIVES do not take very kihuiy
20 reform within the party. They threw numerous
obstacles in the way of an investigation OF their
doorkeener. Mr.. Polk and since the committee mas
,eported in favor of his removal, majority OF hem
have been determined to prevent the House taking
action upon the report.
To-day Representative Carter Harrison, chairman
of the committee undertook to call mp the SUBJECT
and met with all sorts of parliamentary oDStacies.
For time it seemed as though the subject wouiu
again be postponed as il was last week. AL lehg'n
General Cox of Ohio, came to the rescue ana py MS
parliamentary tactics, succeeded in placing the
Democrats on record by ayea and nay vote. Even
then. seventy-nine of them, majority OF all the
Democrats in the House, and large majority Oh
those who voted opposed proceeding TO the cohslo-
Grafton of the committees report. Inc hepuoicahs'
and n minority of the Democrats, voted in the AZ
frmatiye; and so Mr. Harrison got control OF the
House.
When he took the floor to make his speech in sup
mort of the committees resolution, several Demo-
cratic members andLwhat was more dsgrace1uI
still-one Republican, Mr.. Ellsworth. of Michigan,
took seats near, and interrupted him at almost
every sentence. OF the two hours that MI. Hairi-
son held the floor at least OneLalf was occupied by
Democrats and MIR. Ellsworth in asking questions or
Injecting their little speeches into that of Mr Har-
uson and a member of less even temper would
have lost his patience hundred times. Mr.. liarr-
son showed that the report of the committee was
fully sustained by the evidence; that Colonel
Polk had dsregarded the law in the grossest
manner and had doctOred up his rolls
and books in order to cover up his Irregularities;
that he put the names of men on the soldiers roll
who we're never soldiers, and when called to ac-
count for it, in one instance substituted the name of
another man, allowing the original appointee to re-
main. perform the service and draw the pay on
power of attorney given by the nominal holder OF
fbe place Mr. Harrison's speech was one for which
he ought to have great credit, but II was evident
from the beginning 70 the end that he had not the
svmpathy of the men of his own party and that
they were disposed to badger him and, if possible
to prevent his speech from making an impression.
The scene during most of the time while Mr.. Har-
risOn held the floor was of the greatest disorder
and the discussion, which will probably continue for
two days longer, is likely TO be anexclting and in-
teresting one.
MANY of the Republicans feel a good deal of sym
pathy for Colonel Polk. They say that while II ~
not to be denied that lie has violated the law III the
grossest manner many of his illegal acts were que
to the opportunities of Democratic Representatives.
who allowed INN to understand that II he would
appont their friends without regard 10 the hmita-
tions of the law they would take care OF him III
case his action was criticised.