Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-10
Our Washington Letter.

THE CASE OF DooRKEErER POLK.
This democratic official had trampled so heavily
upon the rules and regulations Of Congress, in ad
ministerng the duties of his office that after an
investigation Of his case the civil service commit
tee decided that he should he removed. II then
required three days Of acrimonious and partisan
debate to bring the matter to n vote, during which
time it was found that despite his faults his party
loved him still. Only thirty democrats voted for
his removal. The best point Of the whole discus
sion was made by Mr.. Frye, of Maine. He paid
his compliments particularly to the soldiers roll
made up by Doorkeeper Polk. One soldier"
1t seems was an apotbecarys clerk in the army;
another belonged to an Independent militia COM
pany in Boston; one sprained his ankle when
drilling in 1861 another had'never been wounded,
but was troubled with the asthma. The soldiers
roll Of the House is made by law to include four
teen crippled disabled soldiers who shall be
employed by the House. Mr. Frye stated that
when he had previously called attention to this
matter at least twenty men on the other side had
leaped to their feet and said they would keep up
the crippled and disabled roll but that they would
replace Republicans with democrats He had
made no objection to that, for he thanked God
there had been loyalty enough in the democratic
party of the North to send soldiers to the field.
lie had seen them and no word of his would ever
be raised against loyal democrat who forgot his
party and remembered his patriotism. But did
they put on crippled or disabled democrats, or
even confederate soldiers lie would appeal to
the testimony in the case for reply. Commence
ing with New England that dcegation--the mem
bers from Connecticut and the member from New
IIampshire-were awarded three appontees and
a man named Holt was selected for the soldiers
roll. Holt said he was a soldier, and, when
| pinned down to the point his only service was
that he had served for three years in an an indie
pendent company in the city of Boston lie never
saw service in the field and was neither crippled
nor disabled. He had committed perjury, and
still was retained in the service Of the democratic
| House Was 1t not possible to find a better SOL
der than this in New England The quota Of
New England was three, and these New England
statesmen had neglected all important legislation
to attend to the filling up Of their quota. Mr..
Frye then referred to the way in which the pay Of
these three employees from New England was
pooled, in order that all might receive like COM
pensation, in way that created great laughter.
lie then ridicued the class OF men who had been
placed on the soldiers roll One was young
man who enlisted in 81 as apothecary's clerk
in the navy; another a soldier who had
sprained his ankle in 81; another was a Mexican
who had contracted fever in Mexico and had
since suffered from the asthma Another was a
man named Flanagan, who served in Pennsylva-
mia home guard who had never been in battle,
but had been diseased for number of years.
Another appointee was young Fitzhugh, who did
not claim to be a soldier He was appointed per-
| hup IN ur1f rq
paid to the children of dead soldiers for his
father was most certainly dead democrat.
In conclusion Mr. Frye invoked the shade of
Falstaff to come down and muster in this army of
soldiers, and pictured his spirit taking its flight in
disgust at a class of men enlisted.
BUTLER AND cox
INDUCED in one Of their old-time tilts on the next
day which was greatly enjoyed by all lovers OF
low wit and personal abuse. General Butler in
troduced resolution to proceed with the election
of doorkeeper and that General James Shields
of Missouri, be declared elected Shields is a
manned Union soldier and strong democrat
Sunset Cox opposed the resolution and war OF
words between the General and himself at once
eusued. Usually in personal wrangles of thi.
kind Butler carries off the honors but on thi,
occasion he was not so successful. Cox tainted
him with making an effort to return to the dem
ocratc party, and gave sharp point to the dar
by referring to Buffers vote to seat Dean Of Mass
achusetts last week, and his vote on the day be
fore TO retain Polk This keen thrust a
the willy General and was greatly enjoyed by Re
publicans as well democrats. Butler replied
that he would be merciful to Cox at this time bu
Cox retorted that he asked no mercy. Butle
then brought in his 8" shoo fly, don't bodder me .
retort Of several years ago, which as a jok,
sounded very stale and failed in effect. During
the controversy members crowded around tn,
speakers and melted them to do their worst Afte
two honrs of this kind of hilarity the matter wa,
postponed till Monday. At that time the dem
ocrats will probably elect General c. W Field, o
Georgia, confederate general, as doorkeeper.
Butler was evidently much annoyed at Cox,
taunt concerning his effort to return to the fold
the democracy, for it contains a charge very wei
supported by facts The General is at least be
, leyed to be preparing to leave the Republican
party, and start an independent party of his own
based upon his financial heresies His vote TO
Dean for the purpose Of helping himself anC
his prospects with the Massachusetts democracy
and his vote for Polk was to further his interests
with Southern members. lie confidently expects
: his party will become national in its proportions
and that he will be its chief.
The House committee charged with the consid
Grafton Of the method of conducting
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
has agreed to report favorably upon the consttu
tional amendment offered by Colonel joyce, earl,
in the session, fixing the tenure of the Presi
dental office at six years and declaring thu
President ineligible for reelection. The com
mittee have also agreed TO report an amendmen
to the Constitution that the electoral votes ant
fraction thereof of each person voted for Presi
dent in any state shall be ascertained by multi
plying his entire popular vote therein by the who'll
number of the electoral votes of the state. anC
dividing the product by the aggregate popula
vote of the state for all persons voted for Presi
dent, and the qnotient shall be the number o
electoral votes and fraction thereof to which sucl
person shall be entitled, using for such Fraction
three decmals and no more This amendment il
designed to preserve the relative power of tn,
smaller states.
1t was supposed Mt the time the electoral com
mission was in session that if it succeeded il
bridging over the difficulty for which it wa
created Immediately upon the assembling o
Congress the difficulty of imperfect machiner,
would at once be remedied and all occs,
slons of danger such as we had just passed
through, be entirely obviated. But rs the cris.
passed the matter was to great extent, forgot
ten il thought of at all it believed that as
the states were now all under local self-goyern
ment, such a state of affairs could not again ex
list Such an argument is, however "A dangerous
one, and it is an encouraging sign that Congress
begins however slowly, to move in the matter
The select committee of the Senate on the sam,
subject have held but one meeting and hav,
come to no conclusion regarding any of the pro
iects brought before them.
the WORK OF THE SESSION
remains in about the same condition AS a wcel
ago The tariff bill has been delayed by the door
keeper matter, and will now, it is believed b,
brought up in the House on Tuesday next. Tn,
legislative appropriation bill will also come VI
during the week and long siege is liable to b,
, had over its consideration. 1t is generally be
lieved that the discussion Of the Pacific railroad
, sinking fund bill in the Senate will continue for
week longer The efforts Of the railroad lobby {,
} defeat this bill, compelling them to meet thei
past obligations to the government, received thu
, attention of Senator Edmunds for a few moment
the other day and a severe and wel-deserved re
huke was administered in open Senate, whcl
! was listened to by Jay Gould and his numerou
4 satellites who have been hanging about the Sen
f, ate Chamber all through the session,
y PERSONAL, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL.