New-York tribune., 1878-02-02
THE DOORKEEPER OF THE HOUSE.

| COLONLb JOHN W. fObh IN NN-NDSSA
TO BE INVESTIGATED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON. Feb 1.-The House of Representa-
tves is in chronic trouble its Doorkeeper. The
"bigger man than old Grant" was too big man for
his place. and his in the XLIVth Congress
was hardly more successful as an officer. The
Democratic caucus of the XLVth Congress elected
Colonel Polk, and almost from the day in which he
assumed the duties of his Office he has been in trouble
either with Democratic Representatives or with
his employees. During the extra session of Congress
he was threatened with an investigation from the
Democratic side on account of his failure to keep
his promises with members in regard to appoint
ments, and on one occasion caucus was called for
the purpose of taking his case into; consideration
Before the recess it was discovered that Colonel
Polk had names On his rolls than the law pro-
vided for, and ever since the air about the Capitol
has been full of rumors rejecting severely upon the
administration of his Office This matter eliminated
to-day with the introduction of a resolution by
Representative Baker Of Indiana, ordering an in
vestigatiOn Of certain specific accusations made
against Colonel Polk.
Mr. Baker presented two affidavits sworn to by
persons who had been employed by Colonel Polk,
but removed tor cause. These aftdavits were
incorporated as part of Mr.. Bakers speech, and
were made the basis of the action which he pro-
posed. There was a good deal of shutting on the
part of the Democrats. and an animated debate of
more than two hours, which finally resulted IN the
passage of the resolution by an overwhelming
majority. A few of the Democrats seemed to think
it their duty to defend Colonel Polk on general
principles but it evident that Others among
the majority felt the treatment they had
received from the DOorkeeper, and-whie they
were not anxious to move in this matter them-
ccly NOT a see Colonel Polk mt
trial.
After The resolution had been agreed to- Mr.. Els
worth, of Michigan, n Republican. arose and moved
that the affdavits referred to, which were ncorpo-
rated by Mr. Baker in his speech, be omitted from
the official record. No point of order was made
AGAINST this notion and the Speaker put the question.
No one except Mr.. Martin |. Townsend, Of New
York, was heard to vote in the negative. Hardly
had this result been announced by the Speaker,
when Mr. Baker appeared in his place, and vehe-
mently protested against this whole proceeding. He
took the ground that neither majority of the House
nor the whole House had right TO strike out OF the
! record any part of members speech, provided ms
remarks had been in order and he had not used mn
| parliamentary language. One or two Democrats at
first seemed 10 take opposite grounds Dut the
| Speaker held that such "A proceeding must De by
unanimous consent, and that II anybody had raised
/ the point of order he would have been obliged TO
rule that Mr.. EswOrtl's motion could not be enter
tanned. The vote by which Mr.. Ellsworths motion
was agreed to was finally reconsidered, and then
the Speaker made hIs ruling as indicated. The aiti-
dayits. of course, were eX parte.
They were made by discharged employees Of the
edy aciuated by desire to be rcyeneed upon
! Colonel Polk, and an investigation OF them may
prove them to be'untTue. AT the same time, II is
certain that Mr.. Baker. who presented them, be-
lievod them to be true, and that he took some pains
10 inform himself III regard to the persons making
oath 10 them