National Republican., 1878-04-03
45TH CONGRESS.
fCDn,inued from First PrOel


for the Republican members Of the committee |
that II. In the whole investigation, they had
evidenced partisanship, he was too blind to
SEQ II. Mr.. HARRISON then proceeded to
review the testimony In the case, and
to argue that Mr.. Polk had coolly, dispassiou- |
ately, and deliberately violated the law In In.
creasing the numbers on his roll. &c. Mr.. |
HARRISON said when tho committee COM |
menced its work he went into the committee
room with all his prejudices in favor Of Mr..
Polk. He leaned toward him on party
grounds. IIo had voted for Polk, not only on
this aoor, but in caucus. But when Polk dis
regarded the law, and bocame law unto him
self was tho Densocratic pledge of reform to
90 for nothing? Was the House to say to the
country that this pledge was q form only?
Would this House spread on the. whitewash
because man belongs to the dominant party
here?
Referring to Mr. Folks testimony that he
had put some boys on as pages at the begging
and solicitation Of widowed mothers and at the
pleading Of orphans, Mr.. HARRISON said that
charity was commendsble, but he denied the
right of Mr. Polk tn violate the law.
Mr.. ELLIS inquired whether Mr.. Folks in
tcntions should not bo considered.
Mr.. HARRISON replied that hell was paved
with good intentions [LauRhter.l But to
return to Folks excuse for enlarging the force.
Whose widowed son was J. W. Polk, jr., who
was Illegally kept on tho rollp
Mr.. ELLSWORTH inquired whether Mr..
HARRISON had not asked Polk for an appoint
ment for friend.
Mr.. HARRISON said he had made applica-
tlon, but he did not press It.
At this point a large number OF members
gathered around Mr.. HARRISON and were ask
| ing him questions.
Mr.. TOWNSEND IN. W Had you any
Doorkeeperships or offices to give out2 They
seem to'be as thick around you as they were
around Polk. fTaughtcr.l
Mr.. ELLswoRTH. Did not Polk discharge
your man Whalen9
Mr.. HARRISON. Now. you have found
mares nest, haven't you. [Laughtcr.l Bet
! ter go on to the other side of the chamber
you don't grow well on this side. Renowed
Mr.. ELLSWORTH rose to ask another ques-
tion. and was called to order.
Mr.. HARRISON. Oh, can stand all
that. The gentleman has got over into the
cannot contain himself. Laughter. He
then went on to say that he asked for Whalen's
appointment, and Polk told him tho appoint
mcnt would depend upon m increase of force.
He then went to the Committee On Accounts
and was told that there would DO no increase
| of force, nnd tho matter was dropped.s
Mr. FOSTER, who had also went over to the
Democratic side, wanted to ask question.
Mr.. HARRISON. You arc hero, too, are
you? Laughter. He could not yield to the
gentleman, for he recollccted that after the last
election the gentleman had palace car at his
disposal. lie came ont on the platform occa-
sionally, but he invited no Democrat in, be.
cause the election was over Laughtcr.l
Mr., FOSTER. Did you pay for the ride in
the palace car?
Mr.. HARRISON. No, nor you either. IRE
newed laughter.
Mr.. FOSTER said the question no wanted to
ask was whether he ,lIARRIsON) did not get
d. nj at rim la nnnniut his m
} Mr.. HARRISON replied that he did. He
wanted n messenger to send for witnesses and
he wanted n man he could trust. lie did not
want ono of tho dead beats spoken of by the
gentleman from Ohio, who could not bo
trusted.
Mr.. HARRISON then went on to argue fur
ther that Polk had violated law when he put
, on men in excess Of what were allowed.
Mr.. ELLSWORTH inquired whether any
ono but Polk himself was liable for the pay of
men who had been put on the roll In excess.
Mr.. HARRISON argued that when n man
was put In Office With the power Of making
appointments, aud he made appointments in
excess, and the appointeesdd their work, they
were in equity entitled to payment by the
Government.
Mr. ELLSWORTH. But not legally.
Mr. HARRISON then referred to the
, soldiers roll, aud argued that Polk had delib-
orately violated tho law in making appoint.
: ments on that roll. lie illustrated the case Of
Onn man who had never been u soldier.
Mr. SPARKS said the man referred to la d
: served five years in tho navy.
Mr. HARRlSOS. Yes; as an apOthecary.
daughter.
: Mr. SPARKS. Nevertheless he served fivo
: years.
Mr.. HARRISON. Yes, but you said in u
speech few days ago that Mr.. Polk had only
! removed crippled Republican soldiers to put on
! crippled Democratic soldiers. This man was
not crippled soldier.
He then referred to the case of II. NJ. Rogers,
who was Oh the soldiers roll, and who had
this morning told him (HARRIsoS) that he
never was soldier.
, Mr. CRITTENDEN asked whether Polk
was notified of tbs case being re-oponed
Mr.. HARRISON replied that Polk was at
the committee room this morning. He was
3 only stating facts.
2 Mr.. CRTTTENDEN objected to the reopen.
, ing Of the case unless Polk was notified.
Mr.. EDEN also objected that after the re-
port was made the was closed and no owl
donce taken since was In order.
Mr.. HARRISON insisted that he was only
stating facts.
So many members were at this moment on
. the floor asking to bo heard that the greatest
: confusion prevailed.
Mr.. FINLEY asked that all testimony tax on
since the case was closed be excluded from the
: Record.
Mr. HARRISON insisted that he had a right
to state facts. Rogers was on the soldiers roll
for February, and he heard him say this morn
ing that he was not soldier.
Mr.. EDEN objected to the gentlemans stat
ing what had occurred In committee,
Mr.. HARRISON was giving statements OF
facts and if his colleague Mr. EDEN wonld
take care of his own honor hG (Mr. HARRI-
n SOM would take care of his. lie made the
h statement now that Rogers was not soldier
Mr.. CLARK Mo- How do you know?
Mr.. HARRISON stated ii of his own knOwl.
edge and on the authority of Rogers himself
He had before him the payroll, aud he found
u HIM. Rogers OIL that role for February but
# he is not on that roll for March but another II
on the roll aud II, NJ, Rogers IL still at the
door, and has power Of attorney to draw the
pay.
Mr. HEWITT (Ala) objected that 1t was
" contrary to all rule for member to give eyi.
q deuce that had not been taken by the com,
d mttee.
Il Mr. HARRISON was not here rs an attorney
in tho case, but US a member Of the American
Congress aud rs chairman of the Committee
on Civil.Servce Reform, and as such he was
n bound to 10 his duty.
II Mr. HEWITT (Ala.t asserted that neither q